Lamb to the Slaughter review revised 2025 12:1 | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

Which early detail foreshadows Patrick's betrayal/decision to leave Mary?

His increasingly cold, short, and silent manner.

Mary's constant desire to please him.

The police car parked outside their home.

Her plan to prepare a leg of lamb for dinner.

IRONY: “‘Whoever done it, they’re not going to be carrying a thing like that around with them longer than they need.”

dramatic

verbal

situational

The author's primary purpose in writing this story is to...

explore the unexpected capacity for evil.

expose the flaws in police work.

detail the steps of a crime.

celebrate the institution of marriage.

Which statement best expresses a central idea of the text?

What looks normal on the outside can hide dangerous secrets.

People should never trust police.

Violence is a predictable behavior.

Domestic life leads to madness.

The title "Lamb to the Slaughter" primarily uses which device?

irony

allusion

metaphor

alliteration

The lamb symbolizes domestic peace.

false

true

The lamb symbolizes the sacrifice Mary makes for her husband.

false

true

The lamb symbolizes Patrick Maloney's strength and power over his wife.

false

true

The lamb symbolizes Mary Maloney's initial innocence and vulnerability.

true

false

Which literary device is most evident in the title, "Lamb to the Slaughter," given the events of the story?

Irony, because the "lamb" is both the victim & murder weapon

Allusion, referencing a famous biblical story.

Hyperbole, because the event is exaggerated.

Personification, giving the lamb human qualities.

IRONY: “‘Whoever done it, they’re not going to be carrying a thing like that around with them longer than they need.”

dramatic irony

verbal irony

situational irony

IRONY: “‘It’s the old story,’ he said. ‘Get the weapon and you’ve got the man.’”

dramatic irony

situational irony

verbal irony

IRONY: “‘Personally, I think it’s right here on the premises.’ / ‘Probably right under our very noses.’”

dramatic irony

verbal irony

situational irony

IRONY: “‘Please eat it. Personally I couldn’t touch a thing, certainly not what’s been in the house when he was here. But it’s all right for you. It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up.”

verbal irony

dramatic irony

situational irony

IRONY: “At that point, Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head.”

situational irony

dramatic irony

verbal irony

As used in the passage, “She was just going home with the vegetables […] She put the parcel down on the table and went through into the living room […],” (6) the word PARCEL most nearly means:

package

stone

envelope

book

A central idea of the text is

appearances can hide dangerous realities or motives.

lamb is delicious.

people can find happiness by admitting the truth.

cops should be offered refreshments while they investigate

“And I know it’s kind of a bad time to be telling you, but there simply wasn’t any other way. Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss" shows the THEME of:

betrayal

good vs. evil

life and death

justice

The language used in “So they left her there while they went about their business, searching the house. Occasionally on of the detectives asked her another question. Sometimes Jack Noonan spoke at her gently as he passed by” (8) serves to

illustrate the familiarity Mary has with the police officers

continue an ongoing struggle within Mary.

create a feeling of ease for the audience.

establish a sense of isolation for Mary.

In the lines “When she walked across the room she couldn't feel her feet touching the floor. She couldn't feel anything at all [...] Everything was automatic now-…” (3), it indicates that Mrs. Maloney:

has lost touch with reality.

had a stroke

is experiencing morning sickness

is comfortable in her current situation

What would be a good word to describe the mood of the following passage? “For her, this was always a blissful time of day [...] she [...] was content to sit quietly [...] She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man […]” (1).

peaceful

tragic

lonely

restless

In the lines, “There was a slow smiling air about her, and about everything she did [...] curiously tranquil. [...] eyes, with their new placid look, seemed larger, darker than before” (1), the narrator characterizes Mary Maloney as

tranquil

upset

dangerous

scheming