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Have you ever read the short tale Lamb to the Slaughter Story? Do you think you can pass this 'lamb to the slaughter' quiz that is given below? Roald Dahl wrote this story in the year 1953. The story demonstrates the author’s interest in horror, which is seen in both his adult fiction stories and children’s stories. Take this quiz and discover exactly how much you understand about the Lamb to Slaughter story.
Questions and Answers
1.
Who is the protagonist in the story?
A.
Mrs. van der Meer
B.
Mary Mulholland
C.
Patrick
D.
Mary Maloney
Correct Answer
D. Mary Maloney
Explanation The correct answer is Mary Maloney. In the story, Mary Maloney is the central character who plays the role of the protagonist. The story revolves around her actions, thoughts, and emotions. She is a devoted wife who goes through a significant transformation after a shocking event occurs. Her character development and the choices she makes drive the narrative forward, making her the protagonist of the story.
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2.
It may be said that Mary has a(an) ____________ personality.
A.
Obsessive
B.
Pushy
C.
Weak
D.
Solid
Correct Answer
A. Obsessive
Explanation Mary's personality can be described as obsessive. This suggests that she tends to have persistent and uncontrollable thoughts or desires, which may lead her to engage in repetitive behaviors. She may have a strong focus on specific details and may find it difficult to let go of certain thoughts or ideas. This type of personality trait can be characterized by a strong need for order and control, and a tendency to become overly preoccupied with certain thoughts or tasks.
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3.
Mary's husband has indicated that he was...
A.
Teasing her
B.
Abusing her
C.
Leaving her
D.
Lying to her
Correct Answer
C. Leaving her
Explanation The correct answer is "leaving her". This means that Mary's husband has expressed his intention or desire to end their relationship and move away from her.
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4.
In Roald Dahl's short story "Lamb to the Slaughter," Mary Maloney is a devoted and loving wife who is excited about her husband's return from work.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation At the beginning of the story, Mary Maloney is portrayed as a content and devoted housewife, eagerly anticipating her husband Patrick's arrival home from work. She is attentive to his needs and takes pleasure in creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for him. This initial portrayal of Mary as a loving and attentive wife creates a stark contrast with her later actions, adding to the shocking and unexpected nature of the story's events.
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5.
Mary hitting Patrick with the frozen leg of lamb occurs during the...
A.
Rising action
B.
Falling action
C.
Climax
D.
Resolution
Correct Answer
C. Climax
Explanation Mary hitting Patrick with the frozen leg of lamb can be considered the climax of the story because it is the most intense and pivotal moment. The climax is the highest point of tension and conflict in a narrative, where the protagonist's actions have significant consequences and the outcome of the story becomes clear. In this case, Mary's action of hitting Patrick with the leg of lamb is a turning point that leads to the resolution of the story.
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6.
The setting of "Lamb to the slaughter" is...
A.
A cottage by the sea in the 1950's
B.
A flat in the 1950's
C.
A house in the 1950's
D.
An apartment in the 1950's
Correct Answer
C. A house in the 1950's
Explanation The correct answer is a house in the 1950's. This can be inferred from the title of the story, "Lamb to the Slaughter," which suggests a domestic setting. Additionally, the mention of a house aligns with the traditional family structure of the 1950's. The time period is further supported by the absence of modern settings like apartments or flats.
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7.
The strength of the two drinks that Mary fixes - her drink is weak and Patrick's is strong) is an example of...
A.
Irony
B.
Symbolism
C.
Metaphor
D.
Alliteration
Correct Answer
B. Symbolism
Explanation The strength of the two drinks that Mary fixes - her drink is weak and Patrick's is strong - symbolizes their contrasting personalities or roles. It suggests that Mary may be portrayed as a more timid or delicate character, while Patrick is depicted as a stronger or more assertive individual. This use of symbolism helps convey deeper meaning and adds depth to the characterization in the story.
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8.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is an example of....
A.
Irony
B.
Symbolism
C.
Theme
D.
Characterisation
Correct Answer
C. Theme
Explanation "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is a well-known saying that highlights the intense anger and revengeful nature of a woman who has been wronged or betrayed. This phrase is often used to emphasize the theme of vengeance and the consequences of underestimating or mistreating someone, particularly a woman. It suggests that when provoked, women can exhibit a fierce and powerful response, highlighting the theme of retribution and the potential consequences of one's actions.
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9.
Mary actually hated her husband.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The statement "Mary actually hated her husband" is not supported by any evidence or context provided in the question. The question does not provide any information about Mary's feelings towards her husband, so it is not possible to determine whether she hated him or not. Therefore, the correct answer is False as it cannot be concluded based on the given information.
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10.
It could be argued that Mary was operating in a state of shock.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation The given statement suggests that Mary was in a state of shock. This implies that Mary might have experienced a traumatic or unexpected event that caused her to be mentally and emotionally overwhelmed. Shock can lead to various symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, and a temporary inability to process information properly. Therefore, it is plausible to argue that Mary was indeed operating in a state of shock.
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11.
The irony of the situation occurred as the investigators ate the murder weapon.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation The statement is true because irony refers to a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected or intended. In this case, it is ironic because the investigators, who are supposed to be solving the murder, end up consuming the murder weapon instead. This unexpected turn of events adds a humorous or absurd twist to the situation.
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12.
What "shocked" Mary when she returned from the store?
A.
Supper was ready
B.
The police were there
C.
The fire was out
D.
Patrick was dead
Correct Answer
D. Patrick was dead
Explanation Mary was shocked when she returned from the store because she discovered that Patrick was dead. This suggests that Mary did not expect or anticipate Patrick's death, leading to her shock upon seeing him lifeless. The other options, such as supper being ready, the police being there, or the fire being out, may not have been as shocking or unexpected as the sudden death of Patrick.
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13.
The police believed the murder weapon was a ...
A.
Metal club
B.
Pillow
C.
Knife
D.
Gun
Correct Answer
A. Metal club
Explanation The police believed the murder weapon was a metal club because it is a blunt object that can cause severe injuries and is commonly used as a weapon. It is likely that the nature of the victim's injuries matched those that would be caused by a metal club. Additionally, there may have been evidence such as blood or DNA found on the metal club that linked it to the crime.
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14.
Mary's giggling meant that she had lost her mind.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The statement suggests that Mary's giggling is an indication that she has lost her mind. The correct answer is False because giggling alone cannot be used as a conclusive evidence of someone losing their mind. Giggling can be a normal behavior in certain situations or may indicate happiness, amusement, or excitement. It is important to consider other factors and behaviors to make a proper assessment of someone's mental state.
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15.
Mary is _________________ by her husband's strage behaviour.
Correct Answer bewildered
Explanation Mary is feeling bewildered by her husband's strange behavior. This means that she is confused, puzzled, and unsure about why her husband is acting in such an unusual way. She may be finding it difficult to understand or make sense of his behavior, which is causing her to feel bewildered.
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16.
Who is the author of "Lamb to the slaughter"?
A.
Ruan Dahl
B.
Roald Dahl
C.
Ryan Dahl
D.
Riaan Dahl
Correct Answer
B. Roald Dahl
Explanation Roald Dahl is the correct answer because he is the author of the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter." Roald Dahl was a British writer known for his dark and twisted tales, often with unexpected plot twists. "Lamb to the Slaughter" is one of his most famous short stories, published in 1953. It tells the story of a woman who cleverly covers up a murder and serves the evidence to the detectives investigating the crime. Dahl's unique storytelling style and ability to surprise readers make him a beloved author in the world of literature.
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17.
What is the occupation of the criminal?
A.
Detective
B.
Housewife
Correct Answer
B. Housewife
Explanation The occupation of the criminal is a housewife. This suggests that the person involved in criminal activities is a woman who is primarily responsible for managing household chores and taking care of the family. It challenges the stereotype that criminals are typically associated with certain occupations and highlights the fact that anyone, regardless of their occupation, can engage in criminal behavior.
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18.
Would you describe Mary as...
A.
Intelligent, a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, loving her husband
B.
Controlling, a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, loving her husband
C.
Frustrated, a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, loving her husband
Correct Answer
A. Intelligent, a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, loving her husband
Explanation Mary is described as intelligent because the other options do not include this trait. Being a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, and loving her husband are all characteristics that can coexist with intelligence. However, the fact that Mary is also described as intelligent sets her apart from the other options and suggests that she possesses both intellectual abilities and the qualities of a devoted wife.
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19.
How long did the police sarch for the murder weapon?
A.
1 hour
B.
6 hours
C.
12 hours
D.
3 hours
Correct Answer
D. 3 hours
Explanation The police searched for the murder weapon for 3 hours. This suggests that they were actively investigating the crime scene and surrounding areas for any potential evidence. The duration of the search indicates that the police were thorough in their efforts to locate the weapon, possibly indicating its importance in solving the murder case.
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20.
Patrick is not doing the right thing. What does he do that is wrong?
A.
Insisting on having dinner at a set time every evening
B.
Leaving his wife
C.
Drinking when he is stressed
D.
He is an alcoholic
Correct Answer
B. Leaving his wife
Explanation Patrick is not doing the right thing by leaving his wife. This action is considered wrong because it shows a lack of responsibility and support towards his wife during a crucial time in their lives.
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21.
The names of the two detectives are Jack Noonan, O'Malley and Mark Mulholland.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The given statement is false. The names of the two detectives are Jack Noonan and O'Malley, not Mark Mulholland.
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22.
Why did the detectives do Mary a favour by eating the leg of lamb?
A.
Mary hit her husband over the head with it and they ate the evidence
B.
The leg of lamb could not be eaten by her alone and would have spoiled.
C.
They kept her company while she was still in shock.
Correct Answer
A. Mary hit her husband over the head with it and they ate the evidence
Explanation The detectives did Mary a favor by eating the leg of lamb because Mary had used it as a murder weapon to hit her husband over the head. By eating the evidence, the detectives helped Mary get rid of any incriminating proof of her crime.
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