The Lottery Part 1

Which of the following describes the main theme of the text? 

• A. It can be dangerous to blindly follow traditions that one doesn’t understand. 
• B. Sometimes a few people must be sacrificed to secure the survival of all. 
• C. It’s easy for people to ignore something wrong when it’s not happening to them. 
• D. While traditions are sometimes outdated, they are necessary to preserve the past. 

Which detail from the text best supports the theme you selected? 

• A. “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones;” (Paragraph 2) 
• B. “‘Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.’ First thing you know, we’d all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns.’” (Paragraph 32) 
• C. “‘Be a good sport, Tessie,’ Mrs. Delacroix called, and Mrs. Graves said, ‘All of us took the same chance.’” (Paragraph 46) 
• D. “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones.” (Paragraph 74) 

What does Old Man Warner’s character represent in the text? 

• A. people’s desire to cling to traditions 
• B. people’s fear of change 
• C. people’s violent tendencies 
• D. people’s fear of death 

Which detail from the text best supports what Old Man Warner represents? 

• A. “and the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born.” (Paragraph 5) 
• B. “‘Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while.’” (Paragraph 32) 
• C. “‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly. ‘Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.’” (Paragraph 32) 
• D. “‘Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery,’ Old Man Warner said as he went through the crowd. ‘Seventy-seventh time.’” (Paragraph 40) 

Which sentence explains what the word gravely in paragraph 28 suggests about how the men view the selection of the paper from the box?

• A. They are resigned to doing it because it is required.
• B. They treat it like a normal, everyday routine.
• C. They treat this ritual seriously.
• D. They believe this is a time to show civic pride and join together.

Which detail from the excerpt provides the best clue to the meaning of the word gravely?

• A. “’Get up there, Bill,’ Mrs. Hutchinson said, and the people near her laughed.”
• B. “By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hand, turning them over and over nervously”
• C. “’There goes my old man.’ Mrs. Delacroix said. She held her breath while her husband went forward.
• D. “A man disengaged himself from the crowd and came forward. ‘Hi. Steve. ‘ Mr. Summers said, and Mr. Adams said. ‘Hi. Joe.’”