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Reading quiz

The Lottery

Shirley Jackson

Type

Short story

Published

1948

Questions

3 with answers

Access

Free

AP LiteratureAQACommon Core ElaGCSE English Lit

Curated set · answers marked

What happens to the "winner" of the lottery in Shirley Jackson's short story?

AThey receive a large sum of money
BThey are stoned to death by the villagers
CThey are exiled from the village
DThey are crowned as the village leader

Rationale

Although the story begins with a cheerful, ordinary vibe, it soon reveals that the lottery is actually a horrific ritual. The chosen villager, Tessie Hutchinson, meets a grim fate as she is stoned to death by the community, including her own family.

What is the main purpose of the lottery in the village as presented in Shirley Jackson's short story?

ATo fund the local school
BTo choose one villager to be stoned to death as part of an age-old ritual
CTo elect a new village leader each year
DTo give a cash prize to one fortunate family

Rationale

In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," the annual lottery is a deeply rooted village custom where one individual is randomly chosen by drawing slips of paper and subsequently stoned to death by the other villagers. The story critiques the unthinking following of tradition and highlights the perils of mob mentality.

What is the primary purpose of the lottery in the village?

ATo raise money for the local school
BTo choose a villager to be stoned to death as part of a traditional ritual
CTo award a cash prize to one lucky family
DTo select a new village leader for the coming year

Rationale

In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," the annual lottery is a long-standing village tradition where one person is randomly chosen by drawing slips of paper and then stoned to death by the community. The story critiques the unthinking adherence to tradition and highlights how ordinary people can commit acts of violence.

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