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Questions to be answered after reading the short story by Dahl.
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 Mary Maloney is the correct answer because she is the central character in the story and the one around whom the events revolve. The story focuses on her actions, thoughts, and emotions, making her the protagonist.
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2.
It may be said that Mary has a(n)___________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 repetitive and intrusive thoughts, often fixating on certain ideas or behaviors. She may have a strong need for control and may struggle with letting go of things. This personality trait can manifest in various aspects of her life, such as relationships, work, or hobbies, where she may display excessive attention to detail and an intense focus on specific goals 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 Mary's husband has indicated that he was leaving her. This suggests that he has expressed his intention to end their relationship or marriage and move away from her.
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4.
Mary's act against her husband was premeditated.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The given statement states that Mary's act against her husband was premeditated. However, the correct answer is "False." This implies that Mary's act was not premeditated.
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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 The climax of a story is the highest point of tension or conflict, where the outcome of the main conflict is decided. In this case, Mary hitting Patrick with the frozen leg of lamb is a significant and pivotal event that creates a turning point in the story. It is the moment of highest intensity and suspense, as it reveals the extent of Mary's desperation and the drastic action she is willing to take. This event ultimately leads to the resolution of the story, making it the climax.
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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 idea of a family home, which is common in stories set in the 1950's.
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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 - is an example of symbolism. Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In this case, the strength of the drinks symbolizes the contrasting personalities or characteristics of Mary and Patrick. Mary's weak drink symbolizes her timid or delicate nature, while Patrick's strong drink symbolizes his assertive or dominant nature.
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8.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is an example of...
A.
Irony
B.
Theme
C.
Symbolism
D.
Characterisation
Correct Answer
B. Theme
Explanation "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is an example of a theme. This phrase suggests that when a woman is betrayed or mistreated, she can become incredibly angry and seek revenge. The theme here is the idea that the consequences of betraying or mistreating someone, especially a woman, can be severe. It explores the concept of anger and revenge, highlighting the potential consequences of hurting someone emotionally.
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9.
Mary actually hated her husband.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The given statement states that "Mary actually hated her husband." However, the correct answer is "False." This implies that Mary did not hate her husband.
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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 statement suggests that Mary was in a state of shock. This means that she might have experienced a traumatic event or received shocking news, which could have affected her ability to think clearly or make rational decisions. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is true.
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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 suggests that the investigators ate the murder weapon, which is ironic because typically investigators would collect and analyze evidence, not consume it. This ironic twist adds a humorous or unexpected element to the situation.
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12.
What "shocked" Mary when she returned from the store?
A.
Supper was ready
B.
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 implies that Mary was not expecting Patrick to be dead and his sudden death was a surprising and shocking event for her.
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13.
The police believed that the murder weapon was a
A.
Metal club
B.
Pillow
C.
Knife
D.
Gun
Correct Answer
A. Metal club
Explanation The police believed that the murder weapon was a metal club because it is a heavy, blunt object that could cause significant injury or death. A metal club can be swung with force, making it a plausible weapon in a violent crime like a murder. Additionally, the presence of a metal club at the crime scene or any other evidence linking it to the crime would further support the police's belief in its involvement.
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14.
Mary's giggling meant that she had lost her mind.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation Mary's giggling does not necessarily mean that she has lost her mind. Giggling can be a normal behavior and does not always indicate a loss of sanity. There could be various reasons for Mary's giggling, such as finding something funny or being in a playful mood. Therefore, the statement is false.
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15.
Mary is ___________ by her husband's strange behaviour.
Correct Answer bewildered
Explanation Mary is feeling confused and perplexed by her husband's strange behavior. She is unable to understand or make sense of his actions, which leaves her bewildered. This suggests that Mary is experiencing a mix of emotions such as surprise, uncertainty, and perhaps even a sense of being lost or disoriented due to her husband's unusual behavior.
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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 darkly humorous and often macabre stories, and "Lamb to the Slaughter" is one of his famous works. The story revolves around a housewife who kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and cleverly covers up the crime.
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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 criminal is a female who is married and primarily takes care of household chores and family responsibilities. It is important to note that anyone can be a criminal regardless of their occupation, and being a housewife does not determine one's likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.
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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,lovinh 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 it is the only adjective that does not imply any form of control or frustration. The other adjectives such as controlling or frustrated have negative connotations, whereas intelligent implies a positive attribute of being smart or clever. Additionally, the rest of the description portrays Mary as a devoted housewife, gentle, submissive, and loving her husband, which suggests a positive and caring nature.
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19.
How long did the police search 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.
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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 pregnant wife
C.
Drinking when he is stressed
Correct Answer
B. Leaving his pregnant wife
Explanation Patrick is not doing the right thing by leaving his pregnant wife. This action can be seen as irresponsible and inconsiderate towards his wife's needs and well-being. Leaving her during this crucial time can cause emotional distress and potentially put her health at risk. It is important for Patrick to support and prioritize his pregnant wife during this period, rather than abandoning her.
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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 They were Jack Noonan and O'Malley
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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 that could link her to the crime.
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