The Lottery quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Which literary genres best describe "The Lottery"?

   • Gothic & Romance
   • Modernism & Satire
   • Comedy & Pastoral
   • Correct answer: Horror & Allegory
   • Realism & Naturalism

   Horror & Allegory perfectly captures this story - it's horrific in its violence while functioning as an allegory about blind conformity, scapegoating, and the dangers of unquestioned tradition.

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2. 2

   Question 2. How does Jackson describe the lottery day at the story's opening?

   • Cold and miserable with threatening clouds overhead
   • Foggy and mysterious with an eerie atmosphere
   • Correct answer: Clear, sunny, and perfect for gathering
   • Dark and stormy with an ominous feeling of dread

   The story opens with 'clear and sunny' weather with 'the fresh warmth of a full-summer day' - creating a horrifying contrast with the brutal ending.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What date does the lottery take place?

   • September 21st
   • Correct answer: June 27th
   • July 4th
   • August 1st

   The lottery occurs on June 27th, at the height of summer. Old Man Warner's saying - 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon' - ties the date to an ancient belief that the sacrifice ensures a good harvest.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Who conducts the lottery each year?

   • Correct answer: Mr. Summers
   • The mayor of the town
   • Old Man Warner, the eldest resident
   • Mr. Graves, who assists with preparations

   Mr. Summers conducts the lottery - his cheerful name ironically contrasts with the deadly ritual he oversees.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What does "Paraphernalia" mean in this story?

   • Official documents filed in a legal case
   • A complete lack of tools or equipment
   • A wife's personal property besides her dowry
   • Correct answer: Equipment and accessories for the ritual

   Paraphernalia refers to the 'equipment' of the lottery - the black box, slips of paper, and stool used for the ritual.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does the black box symbolize in the story?

   • Death, mourning, and funeral custom
   • Prosperity from the coal-company trade
   • Correct answer: Outdated tradition and resistance to change
   • The original settlers' proud civic legacy

   The black box symbolizes tradition and resistance to change - it's falling apart and no one remembers its origins, yet they refuse to replace it, just as they refuse to question the lottery itself.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What is Old Man Warner's attitude toward the lottery?

   • He treats it as a joke like young Joe Summers
   • Correct answer: He fiercely defends it as essential tradition
   • He has forgotten why they ever started it
   • He privately wants the whole village to abolish it

   Old Man Warner fiercely defends the lottery, calling those who would stop it a 'pack of crazy fools' and suggesting it ensures good harvests - embodying blind adherence to tradition.

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8. 8

   Question 8. How many lotteries has Old Man Warner participated in?

   • Correct answer: 77
   • 50
   • 65
   • 83

   Old Man Warner has been in the lottery 77 times - he's the oldest person in town and the strongest defender of the tradition.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What happens when Bill Hutchinson draws the marked slip?

   • Correct answer: Bill's entire family must draw again from the five-person household
   • The lottery is over and Bill Hutchinson is declared the winner
   • Bill receives a cash prize from Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves
   • Bill himself is stoned at once by all of the townspeople

   When Bill draws the marked slip, his family of five must draw again - this second drawing will determine which family member is selected.

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10. 10

    Question 10. What is Tessie's reaction when her family is selected in the first drawing?

    • She accepts the result calmly and stands quiet
    • Correct answer: She immediately protests it wasn't fair
    • She tries to run away from the village square
    • She volunteers to take her husband's place

    Tessie immediately protests 'It wasn't fair!' and claims Bill didn't have enough time to choose - she only questions the lottery when her own family is at risk.

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11. 11

    Question 11. How do people behave toward Tessie once she draws the final marked slip?

    • They vote to spare her life and choose a different victim
    • They run away in horror refusing to participate in the ritual
    • They comfort and protect her from the terrible fate that awaits
    • Correct answer: They turn on her without hesitation, even her family

    Everyone turns on Tessie immediately, including her own family. Even little Davy Hutchinson is given stones - showing how the ritual destroys all human bonds.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does Tessie's final cry of 'It isn't fair!' reveal about the story's theme?

    • The ritual should be done differently with new procedures
    • The lottery process was actually rigged against her family
    • Correct answer: People only question harmful traditions when they personally suffer
    • Scapegoating only happens in primitive ancient cultures

    Tessie arrived late, chatting and joking about forgetting the date. She only protests the lottery's 'fairness' when she's the victim - revealing how people accept injustice until it affects them personally.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What literary device is most central to the story's impact?

    • Stream of consciousness and soliloquy
    • Correct answer: Situational irony and misdirection
    • Personification and apostrophe
    • Flashback and frame narrative

    Jackson uses situational irony and misdirection masterfully - the pleasant tone and the word 'lottery' lead readers to expect a prize, making the violent ending devastating.

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14. 14

    Question 14. Which of these events actually happened in the story?

    • The lottery takes place in the village square between the post office and the bank.

      Happened

      The lottery is held in the square, showing it's a central, public community event.

    • Children gather stones before the lottery begins.

      Happened

      The boys make a pile of stones and guard it - a chilling detail that seems innocent at first.

    • Tessie Hutchinson arrives late to the lottery.

      Happened

      Tessie arrives late, joking that she 'clean forgot what day it was' - showing how normalized the ritual is.

    • The black box is brand new and in perfect condition.

      Didn't happen

      The box is shabby, splintered, and faded - symbolizing how old and decayed the tradition has become.

    • Old Man Warner says 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.'

      Happened

      This quote reveals the ritual's origin as a harvest sacrifice - connecting violence to prosperity.

    • Some villages have already stopped doing the lottery.

      Happened

      Mrs. Adams notes that 'Some places have already quit lotteries.' It's Old Man Warner who scoffs at the idea, dismissing them as a 'pack of young fools' - showing traditions can be changed.

    • Mrs. Delacroix and Tessie were chatting friendly before the lottery.

      Happened

      They were friends moments before, making it even more horrifying when Mrs. Delacroix selects a stone 'so large she had to pick it up with both hands.'

    • Bill Hutchinson forces the slip from Tessie's hand to show the crowd.

      Happened

      Even her own husband turns on her, snatching the slip to reveal the black spot - showing the lottery destroys family bonds.

    • Someone suggests postponing the lottery because of bad weather.

      Didn't happen

      The weather is perfect, and no one questions the lottery until Tessie is selected.

    • Mr. Graves assists Mr. Summers with the lottery preparations.

      Happened

      Mr. Graves' name is another dark irony - he helps prepare the ritual that leads to death.

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