The Lottery

'The Lottery' was published in...

• 1967

• 1989

• 1960

• 1948

Answer explanation

'The Lottery' was written during a time of social unrest: post World War II, rise of atomic bomb threats, and patriarchal values.

What is the author's name?

• Lynette Jones

• Sandra Johnson

• Jacqueline Shore

• Shirley Jackson

Answer explanation

Jackson was a writer interested in the horror genre and was judged by her small-town for valuing her writing career whilst being a mother.

True of False: Mrs Hutchinson (Tessie) won the lottery.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Tessie ironically 'won' the lottery, despite 'winning' resulting in her demise.

Mood can be defined as...

• The physical location, time, and social environment a story takes place.

• The emotional effect or feeling that a text creates in a reader.

• The background information that is important to a text.

• Hints or clues that help readers determine what will happen next or at the end.

How can the reader infer (assume) that the lottery has been a tradition for a very long time?

• The black mark

• The setting

• The worn condition of the black box

• Old Man Warner's dialogue

Setting can be defined as:

• The physical location, time, and social environment a story takes place.

• The emotional effect or feeling that a text creates in a reader.

• The background information that is important to a text.

• Hints or clues that help readers determine what will happen next or at the end.

Answer explanation

Setting has a major impact on the tone/mood on the story.

The setting at the beginning of the story is a contrast to the dark nature of the plot.

Irony can best be defined as:

• An object, place, name, character, or event that represents something else.

• An outcome that is very different from what is expected.

• The message the author wants to convey to readers.

• A long established or inherited way of thinking or acting.

True or False: The black box represents the patriarchy.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The black box represents the power of tradition, blind loyalty and death.

Why is Old Man Warner angry about other town's getting rid of the lottery?

• He believes the lottery promotes order and elimates chaos.

• He's jealous of the youth.

• He likes corn.

• He believes the lottery will help crops grow and will helps farmers.

What do most townspeople think of the lottery tradition?

• They think it is bad and want it to stop.

• They hope to pick the winning ticket.

• They look forward to it each year.

• They think it is a waste of time.

Answer explanation

Despite the lottery resulting in an innocent's death, most townspeople are convinced the lottery is a wonderful thing.