vocabulary
elements of a short story
characters
crime
general
100
The place where Mary finds her ' deadly weapon'
accept Either: the freezer OR the cellar
100
What is the setting of the story (for the vast majority of the story)
The Maloney's house
100
What is Patrick's profession?
a police detective
100
True or False: Patrick's murder was premeditated.
False
100
What is the unusual item that is used as a weapon in this story?
a frozen leg of lamb
200
A synonym for 'to laugh'. Mary did this when she found realized that the detectives were eating the lamb/weapon.
to giggle
200
What is the climax of the story?
When Mary bludgeons her husband with the leg of lamb, killing him.
200
Who is Sam?
The grocer
200
Why does Mary decide to cover up the crime?
Because she doesn't want her unborn child to die. / She is pregnant and wants to save her child.
200
What three things does Mary buy at the grocery store?
peas, potatoes, cheesecake
300
A synonym for crying uncontrollably
Best answer: to sob Will also accept: to weep (hysterically)
300
Hints or clues given by the author about what will happen next. This is used to create suspense.
foreshadowing
300
(BEFORE the murder) What are the some of the first indications that things are not quite right that evening in the Maloney household? 2 things
a) Patrick pours himself a very strong drink b) Patrick doesn't want to go out for dinner c) Patrick doesn't seem to want to talk to Mary
300
In general, a person who is believed to have committed a crime is considered a _________________ by the police.
suspect
300
What incident might be considered the catalyst for Mary's crime?
Patrick probably announced to her that he was leaving her/ divorcing her.
400
A sick feeling in your stomach that may accompany vomitting.
nausea
400
Give 1 example of internal conflict and 1 example of external conflict from the story
a) Internal conflict: (man against himself) When Mary must decide whether to turn herself in or cover up her crime b) external conflict (man against man): When Patrick tells Mary that he is leaving her.
400
Besides Mary, who else was interrogated or questioned by the police?
Sam
400
Clues used by detectives to help solve a mystery. These might include DNA, finger prints, and weapons that are left behind by the criminal.
Evidence / What is evidence.
400
The officers suggest to Mary that she should lie down -- but she refuses. Why do you think she refuses?
Best answer: She probably wants to keep an eye on the investigation Also accepted: She is too nervous and upset about what has happened
500
a synonym for a dead body
a corpse
500
"Whoever done it, they're not going to be carrying a thing like that around with them longer than they need." "Personally, I think it's right here on the premises." " Probably right under our very noses [...]" What element of style has the author chosen to use here?
Verbal irony
500
What is the 'favour' that Mary requests of Jack Noonan and the other detectives?
To eat the lamb that is in the oven
500
What is Mary's alibi?
She went to the grocery store and when she came back she found Patrick dead on the floor.
500
Explain the title 'Lamb to the Slaughter'
accept any of the following: a )Patrick is unaware of the impending danger/easily killed by Mary without any resistance. The irony, of course, is that he is killed with a leg of lamb b) biblical reference c) weak/meak Mary (symbolizes the lamb) kills (slaughters) Patrick and now she could face the death penalty if the detectives realize that she has killed her husband.