The Lottery

Grade Levels

Excerpt

PART 1: Match the vocabulary word to its definition in context.

a. profusely, b. boisterous, c. jovial, d. paraphernalia, e. perfunctory, f. interminable, g. reprimands, h. gravely

• The teacher__ showered her students with compliments.
• When I've had a long day, English class seems__.
• The students were behaving in a __way when Mrs. Rodgers had a substitute.
• Santa Claus is an extremely__character.
• She did her homework in a __way since she couldn't go out until it was finished.
• The team gathered all their __before leaving the field after the game.
• The doctor__told the family the news about their son
• The class received severe__for misbehaving during the assembly.

PART 2: Match the character to his/her description. Some may be used more than once.

a. Mr. Summers, b. Mr. Martin, c. Mr. Graves, d. Baxter, e. Bill, f. Tessie, g. Eva, h. Bill Jr., i. Nancy, j. Dave, k. Mr. Warner, l. Mr. Adams, m. Mr. Dunbar, n. Mrs. Strangeworth, o. Mr. Lewis, p. Mrs. Harper, q. the Cranes, r. Mrs. Chandler, s. Dave Harris, t. Linda Stewart

• Lives on Pleasant Street
• The grocery store owner who helped with the lottery
• The Hutchinson's older daughter
• Cried all the way to school
• Said some towns were thinking of doing away with the lottery
• Had survived 77 lotteries
• The librarian
• The grocery store worker
• The Hutchinson's younger son
• The son of a grocery store owner
• The owner of the coal business
• Has a broken leg
• Delivers a letter that was dropped at the post office
• The Hutchinson's older son
• The postmaster
• The Hutchinson's younger daughter
• Thought her husband was cheating
• Thought their baby was "slow"
• Considered it her duty to keep people informed
• Disrespected tradition
• Thinks his grandson might be stealing from him
• is head of his family and his household

PART 3: Short answer. WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES! Use the back of this sheet if necessary.

• Both these stories rely heavily on situational irony for their effect. Fully explain one specific example of situational irony from EACH story. Be sure to explain why each is an effective example.
• Both Mrs. Strangeworth and Tessie Hutchinson are punished at the end of the stories. How does each of their punishments fit their crimes-in other words, why are their punishments appropriate for them?
• Each of these stories contains one or more symbols. Explain at least one symbol from each story.
• Explain fully an appropriate theme-a lesson that can be applied to everyday life-from "The Possibility of Evil."
• Explain fully an appropriate theme from "The Lottery."

About

A matching and discussion test that includes comprehension and analysis questions over "The Lottery" and "The Possibility of Evil."