“The Lottery” Questions- USE COMPLETE SENTENCES
1. When and where does the lottery take place? Describe the setting.
2. How does the author, Shirley Jackson, foreshadow what is to come?
3. What can you say about the people of the town? What type of people are
they?
4. What is used to conduct the lottery and what attempts are made to keep the
traditional ceremony?
5. What role does Old Man Warner play? What arguments does Old Man Warner
present for keeping the lottery?
6. The lottery is carried on by Mr. Summers, who owns the coal company, and
Mr. Graves, the postmaster. What do the names and the objects hint at?
8. Usually a lottery is something good. When do you begin to suspect that, in this
case, no one wants to “win” the lottery?
9. How does the author build tension?
10. Describe the “procedure” of the lottery.
11. What is the reaction of Old Man Warner to the fact that in the north village
“they’re talking of giving up the lottery”?
12. What does the story imply about traditions and ceremonies? Support your
opinion from the story.
13. What does the story imply about family loyalties? Support your opinion from
the story.
14. What does the story imply about human nature? Support your opinion from
the story.
Comprehension Questions
1. In the third paragraph, what suggests that the lottery is a serious event?
2. Who helps Mr. Summers set up the lottery? Why are the villagers reluctant to
help?
3. What do Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves do the night before the lottery?
4. What are the rules concerning people who can’t attend the lottery?
5. What signs are there of the people’s nervousness during the drawing?
7. Normally someone "wins" a lottery, but that word is never used in the story.
What expression is used instead?
8. A lottery winner is generally very pleased with his luck. How does Bill
Hutchinson react when he "gets it"? What is Tessie’s reaction? Is her accusation
fair?