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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Take The Lottery Quiz: How Well Do You Know Jackson's Story?

Think you know how the townspeople view the lottery box? Dive in and start the quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with lottery slips and black stones, for a quiz on Shirley Jacksons The Lottery on a coral background

Calling all literature lovers and Shirley Jackson fans! Ready to see how well you know "The Lottery"? Dive into the lottery quiz and tackle lottery story questions exploring how do the townspeople view the lottery box and why, after the lottery begins the townspeople become so…cold. This free, scored quiz is perfect for short story quiz enthusiasts and anyone seeking a fun reading comprehension trivia challenge or a deeper literary analysis quiz. You'll also explore situational irony in the lottery that still shocks readers today. Sharpen your wits, uncover hidden twists - and discover whether you can master Jackson's classic tale. Start your test now and prove your literary chops!

Who wrote "The Lottery"?
Shirley Jackson
Edgar Allan Poe
Ray Bradbury
Flannery O'Connor
Shirley Jackson is the author of "The Lottery," first published in The New Yorker in 1948. The story became one of her most famous works and is often anthologized in American literature collections. Jackson’s concise, unsettling style has been widely analyzed for its critique of social rituals. Britannica: The Lottery
In what year was "The Lottery" first published?
1948
1936
1952
1960
"The Lottery" debuted in The New Yorker on June 26, 1948. Upon its publication, the story shocked readers and sparked significant controversy and mail. Its powerful social commentary and surprising ending helped cement its place in literary history. Britannica: The Lottery
What is the primary setting of "The Lottery"?
A small village in rural America
A suburban neighborhood
A futuristic dystopia
A European town
The story is set on a warm summer day in a small, unnamed rural American village where the townspeople gather for their annual lottery. The ordinary, idyllic setting contrasts sharply with the dark ritual at the heart of the plot. Jackson uses this incongruity to heighten the horror of the violent traditions. SparkNotes: The Lottery, Section 1
Who conducts the lottery draw?
Mr. Summers
Bill Hutchinson
Tessie Hutchinson
Old Man Warner
Mr. Summers is the official who runs the lottery, organizing civic activities and overseeing the box and slips. His role highlights the banality and normalcy of the violent ritual. Despite his affable manner, he enforces the tradition without question. SparkNotes: Characters
What object do villagers use to hold the lottery tickets?
A black wooden box
A glass bowl
A metal urn
A paper hat
The black wooden box is old, splintered, and faded, symbolizing the villagers' reluctance to abandon tradition despite its decaying nature. Its shabby condition reflects how the ritual itself is outdated, yet persistently maintained. The box’s presence is central to the story’s critique of blind tradition. SparkNotes: Themes
What do villagers use as instruments for the ritual's final act?
Stones
Knives
Arrows
Candles
Villagers collect stones at the beginning of the story, later using them to stone the chosen victim. This shocking detail is foreshadowed early and underscores the collective violence undertaken by ordinary citizens. The stones become a symbol of the community’s complicity. SparkNotes: Section 1
How do the villagers feel about abandoning the lottery tradition?
They are reluctant but fear change
They eagerly want to stop it
They have annual debates
They ignore all changes
Throughout the story, characters express unease at the idea of changing or discarding the lottery, though they rarely speak out strongly. This reluctance illustrates how tradition persists through inertia and fear of the unknown. Jackson critiques this blind adherence to rituals. SparkNotes: Themes
Which family member draws the slip for the Hutchinson family?
Bill Hutchinson
Tessie Hutchinson
Steve Adams
Old Man Warner
Bill Hutchinson draws the slip for his family in the second round, selecting the paper that ultimately seals his family's fate. Tessie only protests after he draws, highlighting her delayed realization. This family selection process underscores communal complicity. SparkNotes: Characters
What phrase indicates the villagers' casual acceptance of the lottery?
Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.
May the best man win.
Out with the old.
Stone the outsider.
The chant "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon" is sung cheerfully by the children, illustrating the ritual’s normalcy and its link to agricultural superstitions. This upbeat rhyme contrasts with the story’s dark conclusion, heightening the irony. SparkNotes: Section 1
How does Tessie Hutchinson protest her selection?
She claims it's unfair and demands a redraw
She cries and refuses to draw
She runs away
She accepts her fate calmly
After her family is selected, Tessie Hutchinson protests loudly, insisting the lottery is unfair and that Bill didn’t have enough time. Her sudden outrage underscores how self-interest can override communal ritual. Jackson uses her reaction to comment on the hypocrisy of victims of violence. SparkNotes: Section 2
Which character is most vocal about keeping the lottery tradition?
Old Man Warner
Mr. Graves
Mrs. Delacroix
Mr. Adams
Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, defends the lottery vehemently, dismissing talk of ending it as foolish. He represents the entrenched mindset that venerates tradition above moral inquiry. His character amplifies Jackson’s critique of unexamined customs. SparkNotes: Characters
How is suspense built before revealing the lottery's purpose?
By describing children's gathering and the black box without explanation
By focusing on a storm approaching
Through a sudden scream
By detailing the winner's celebration
Jackson delays revealing the lottery’s true nature by focusing on mundane details—children gathering stones, adults chatting, and the ominous black box. This gradual buildup creates unease as readers suspect something darker. The normalcy of the scene amplifies the shock of the climax. SparkNotes: Section 1
What does the black box symbolize in the story?
The unquestioned tradition
Community prosperity
Moral corruption
A political system
The black box represents the villagers’ blind allegiance to an outdated and violent custom. Its worn, splintered appearance underscores how tradition persists even as its origins fade. Jackson uses the box as a metaphor for societal rituals that go unchallenged. SparkNotes: Themes
Which element foreshadows the violence at the end of the story?
Children collecting stones in the morning
A sudden thunderstorm
An unexplained disappearance
A dog barking loudly
The scene where children casually pick up and pile stones hints at the story’s brutal finale. This innocent-seeming action is a dark foreshadowing of the communal stoning. Jackson’s strategic placement of this detail builds dramatic irony. SparkNotes: Section 1
What theme is most prominently explored in "The Lottery"?
The danger of blindly following tradition
The power of love to conquer fear
The conflict between classes
The journey toward self-discovery
Jackson’s story critiques how individuals can commit atrocities when adhering unthinkingly to tradition. The ritual’s acceptance by everyone in the village highlights this theme starkly. Jackson warns readers about the moral risks of conformity. GradeSaver: Themes
Which literary device is most prominent when Mrs. Hutchinson protests, "It isn't fair"?
Irony
Metaphor
Alliteration
Personification
Mrs. Hutchinson’s complaint that the lottery is unfair is ironic because the ritual’s purpose is to be arbitrary and brutal. Her late objection highlights the story’s critique of self-serving morality. Jackson uses irony to underscore societal hypocrisy. SparkNotes: Literary Devices
How does Jackson critique societal conformity in the story?
By showing ordinary people committing violence without question
By depicting an external invader
Through a supernatural curse
By focusing on one heroic individual
Jackson exposes the dark side of conformity by illustrating how average villagers participate in a violent ritual simply because "that's the way it’s always been done." The lack of individual moral courage results in collective brutality. This critique remains resonant in analyses of mob behavior. GradeSaver: Critical Essays
How does the story reflect post–World War II anxieties?
It highlights the potential for violence in seemingly civilized societies
It predicts technological warfare
It celebrates American triumph
It focuses on nuclear fallout
Published shortly after WWII, "The Lottery" taps into fears that ordinary people are capable of atrocities under communal pressure. Jackson’s portrayal of a peaceful village committing violence mirrors real-world wartime horrors. The story invites readers to question the veneer of civilization. GradeSaver: Themes
How might "The Lottery" be compared to real-life scapegoating rituals?
It mirrors how societies single out victims to reinforce group cohesion
It depicts ritual as solely agricultural
It denies any moral implications
It shows scapegoating as a modern invention
Jackson’s depiction of a communal stoning parallels anthropological accounts of scapegoating rituals, where societies project guilt onto a chosen victim to strengthen unity. The story underscores how ritualized violence can be normalized. This comparison deepens understanding of the text’s social critique. Britannica: Scapegoating
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Story Setting and Symbols -

    Recognize key details of the village setting and describe how the townspeople view the lottery box within the community ritual.

  2. Analyze Community Behavior -

    Examine how the townspeople's attitudes shift after the lottery begins and what that reveals about group dynamics and conformity.

  3. Interpret Thematic Twists -

    Explore the shocking twist in Jackson's narrative and articulate its significance in conveying themes of tradition and violence.

  4. Answer Lottery Story Questions Accurately -

    Demonstrate comprehension by correctly responding to quiz questions on plot points, character actions, and story details.

  5. Evaluate Character Motivations -

    Assess Mrs. Hutchinson's behavior and her attempts to convince the townspeople, highlighting her motivations and the story's moral implications.

  6. Apply Critical Thinking Skills -

    Use contextual evidence from the text to form reasoned interpretations and support your quiz answers with textual references.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Symbolism of the Black Box -

    Jackson's worn black box represents the weight of blind tradition. According to Britannica and Oxford University Press, townspeople view the lottery box as a sacred relic despite its splintered state, showing how "how do the townspeople view the lottery box" underscores unquestioned ritual.

  2. Tradition vs. Individual Conscience -

    Once the ritual starts, "after the lottery begins the townspeople become" fervent enforcers of custom, silencing any moral doubts. Use the mnemonic TOR (Tradition, Obedience, Ritual) to recall how Jackson critiques the dangers of conformism (University of Texas at Austin literature studies).

  3. Tessie Hutchinson's Protest -

    When mrs. hutchinson tries to convince the townspeople that the drawing was unfair ("I tell you it isn't fair!"), Jackson spotlights scapegoating dynamics rooted in human psychology. A 2019 JSTOR paper on scapegoat theory confirms her defiance encapsulates moral outrage against senseless violence.

  4. Foreshadowing and Irony -

    Answering the lottery story questions often hinges on spotting Jackson's subtle cues - joyful chatter about planting seeds foreshadows the grim finale. Purdue OWL recommends the S-I-C formula (Setting, Irony, Climax) as a handy framework when tackling the lottery quiz.

  5. Historical and Critical Context -

    Understanding post-war American anxieties deepens insight into community violence in "The Lottery." René Girard's scapegoat mechanism (Modern Criticism journal) helps you connect societal critique to Jackson's narrative, boosting confidence when you face any related quiz question.

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