Grade 9 English
Short Story
“Lamb to the Slaughter,” by Roald Dahl
Name ____________________________ Block _____
CONDITIONS: In your previous lesson you read Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” and
answered questions about it. You will now have this class period to complete this
assessment. You may not use any notes or dictionaries. You may write on the fresh copy of
“Lamb to the Slaughter” that is with this assessment.
TASK: Based on your reading of the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter,” answer the
following six questions. Be sure to format your response to each question in a well-organized
paragraph (you will write six different, unrelated paragraphs).
1. Briefly discuss the plot of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” Include in your response
the type of conflict (and how you know this), the inciting incident, and the
climax.
2. Discuss the main characters and the author’s characterization. Include in
your response who the main characters are; whether they are protagonists
or antagonists or neither; whether these main characters are round or flat,
static or dynamic; whether the author uses primarily direct or indirect
characterization.
3. Discuss the point of view of “Lamb to the Slaughter.”
4. Discuss the setting of “Lamb to the Slaughter.”
5. What sort of symbol(s) does the author include in his story? Is there any
kind of irony used? Include in your response the symbol(s) you have found
and what they stand for, as well as the type of irony used in each example
you find.
6. What theme(s) do you find in the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
Remember to discuss how each theme that you find applies to life outside
the story.
Short Story Common Assessment 1