Question
Each June, a small village gathers for the annual lottery, a ritual deeply rooted in tradition. The event begins innocuously, with children playing and adults chatting, but an air of unease underscores the gathering. Led by Mr. Summers, who carries the revered yet deteriorating black wooden box, the lottery’s procedures reflect the community’s unwavering commitment to its past.
Despite years of simplification, the villagers cling to the ritual, performing it with solemn respect. The late arrival of Mrs. Hutchinson adds a fleeting moment of levity, but the gravity of the event quickly takes hold. The lottery, mysterious and immutable, serves as a chilling reminder of the power of tradition and collective compliance.
[16] A tall boy in the crowd raised his hand. “Here,” he said. “I’m drawing for m’mother and me.” He blinked his eyes nervously and ducked his head as several voices in the crowd said things like “Good fellow, Jack,” and “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it.”
[17] “Well,” Mr. Summers said, “guess that’s everyone. Old Man Warner make it?”
[18] “Here,” a voice said, and Mr. Summers nodded.
[19] A sudden hush fell on the crowd as Mr. Summers cleared his throat and looked at the list. “All ready?” he called. “Now, I’ll read the names — heads of families first — and the men come up and take a paper out of the box. Keep the paper folded in your hand without looking at it until everyone has had a turn. Everything clear?”
[20] The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions; most of them were quiet, wetting their lips, not looking around. Then Mr. Summers raised one hand high and said, “Adams.” A man disengaged himself from the crowd and came forward. “Hi, Steve,” Mr. Summers said, and Mr. Adams said. “Hi, Joe.” They grinned at one another humorlessly and nervously. Then Mr. Adams reached into the black box and took out a folded paper. He held it firmly by one corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the crowd, where he stood a little apart from his family, not looking down at his hand.
[21] “Allen,” Mr. Summers said. “Anderson... Bentham.”
[22] “Seems like there’s no time at all between lotteries any more,” Mrs. Delacroix said to Mrs. Graves in the back row. “Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.”
[23] “Time sure goes fast,” Mrs. Graves said.
[24] “Clark... Delacroix.”
[25] “There goes my old man,” Mrs. Delacroix said. She held her breath while her husband went forward.
[26] “Dunbar,” Mr. Summers said, and Mrs. Dunbar went steadily to the box while one of the women said, “Go on, Janey,” and another said, “There she goes.”
[27] “We’re next,” Mrs. Graves said. She watched while Mr. Graves came around from the side of the box, greeted Mr. Summers gravely, and selected a slip of paper from the box. By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously. Mrs. Dunbar and her two sons stood together, Mrs. Dunbar holding the slip of paper.
[28] “Harburt... Hutchinson.”
[29] “Get up there, Bill,” Mrs. Hutchinson said, and the people near her laughed.
[30] “Jones.”
[31] “They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, “that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.”
[32] Old Man Warner snorted. “Pack of crazy fools,” he said. “Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them. Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while. Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.’ First thing you know, we’d all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. “Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.”
[33] “Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mrs. Adams said.
[34] “Nothing but trouble in that,” Old Man Warner said stoutly. “Pack of young fools.”
[35] “Martin.” And Bobby Martin watched his father go forward. “Overdyke... Percy.”
[36] “I wish they’d hurry,” Mrs. Dunbar said to her older son. “I wish they’d hurry.”
[37] “They’re almost through,” her son said.
[38] “You get ready to run tell Dad,” Mrs. Dunbar said.
[39] Mr. Summers called his own name and then stepped forward precisely and selected a slip from the box. Then he called, “Warner.”
[40] “Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery,” Old Man Warner said as he went through the crowd. “Seventy-seventh time.”
[41] “Watson.” The tall boy came awkwardly through the crowd. Someone said, “Don’t be nervous, Jack,” and Mr. Summers said, “Take your time, son.”
[42] “Zanini.”
[43] After that, there was a long pause, a breathless pause, until Mr. Summers, holding his slip of paper in the air, said, “All right, fellows.” For a minute, no one moved, and then all the slips of paper were opened. Suddenly, all the women began to speak at once, saying, “Who is it?,” “Who’s got it?,” “Is it the Dunbars?,” “Is it the Watsons?” Then the voices began to say, “It’s Hutchinson. It’s Bill.” “Bill Hutchinson’s got it.”
[44] “Go tell your father,” Mrs. Dunbar said to her older son.
[45] People began to look around to see the Hutchinsons. Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand. Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!”
The story concludes with the grim and chilling resolution of the village's annual lottery. Tessie Hutchinson, who protests the fairness of the process, is revealed to hold the slip of paper marked with the black spot, designating her as the chosen one. Despite her cries of injustice, the villagers, bound by tradition, quickly move to carry out the ritual of encircling her and throwing stones at her.
1.
Which word is closest in meaning to hastily as it is used in paragraph 20?
A.Calmly
B.Cheerfully
C.Firmly
D.Hurriedly
2.
What does the author’s portrayal of Old Man Warner in paragraph 32 reveal to the reader?
A.He is supportive of change and open to new ideas.
B.He is resistant to change and values tradition.
C.He is indifferent to the lottery and uninterested in its outcome.
D.He is eager to end the lottery and embrace modern ways.
3.
Which details from paragraphs 20 and 32 best support the key idea that the lottery is an established tradition that people are reluctant to change?
Select TWO correct answers.
A.“Hi, Steve,” Mr. Summers said, and Mr. Adams said. “Hi, Joe.” (paragraph 20)
B.“There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. (paragraph 32)
C.The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions. (paragraph 20)
D.Mrs. Delacroix said to Mrs. Graves in the back row, “Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.” (paragraph 22)
E.“Clark... Delacroix.” (paragraph 24)
4.
Read paragraph 20 from the excerpt.
What does the word disengaged mean?
A.Removed
B.Attached
C.Grabbed
D.Held on
5.
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this story?
A.To emphasize the contrast between harmless traditions and dangerous rituals.
B.To convince readers that outdated customs should be preserved.
C.To illustrate the importance of communal rituals and their impact on society.
D.To establish the dangers of blindly following tradition and resisting change.
6.
Which of these is the best summary of the text?
A.The townspeople gather annually for a lottery that has been part of their tradition for many years. They follow the process nervously, waiting to see the outcome. Each family is called up in order, and the community participates without questioning the purpose of the ritual.
B.The townspeople meet to conduct a yearly lottery, a long-standing tradition that few question. Although some villagers mention that other communities have abandoned the practice, most continue nervously, adhering to the established process until the grim results and outcome are revealed.
C.The lottery is a cherished tradition in the village, where participants eagerly take part every year. The event brings the community together, and everyone participates joyfully, looking forward to the results.
D.The villagers come together to discuss the future of the lottery and whether it should be continued. Some members express doubt about its necessity, but others insist that the tradition must go on as it has always been done.
7.
How does the author highlight the contrast between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner?
A.By showing Mr. Adams’ willingness to question the lottery and Old Man Warner’s staunch defense of it.
B.By portraying Mr. Adams as indifferent to the lottery and Old Man Warner as passionate about it.
C.By contrasting Mr. Adams’ apprehension toward change with Old Man Warner’s resistance to it.
D.By emphasizing Mr. Adams’ role as a follower and Old Man Warner’s role as a leader.
8.
How does the use of foreshadowing in paragraphs 31–34 deepen the reader's understanding of the community?
Select TWO correct answers.
A.It suggests that some villagers are open to abandoning the lottery.
B.It hints at growing tension between those who question the lottery and those who defend it.
C.It foreshadows a dramatic rebellion against the lottery.
D.It emphasizes Old Man Warner’s role as a defender of tradition.
E.It implies that the community is growing violent and angry with each other.
9.
How does the dialogue between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner in paragraph 31 contribute to the plot of “The Lottery”?
A.To highlight that there is a divide in opinions about the lottery.
B.To show that Mr. Adams is defiant and stubborn
C.To illustrate that Old Man Warner is forgetful and absentminded.
D.To suggest that Mr. Adams is uneasy about Old Man Warner’s strong defense of the lottery.
10.
Which quotation best illustrates the villagers’ nervous anticipation during the drawing?
A.“You get ready to run tell Dad,” Mrs. Dunbar said.
B.“Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.”
C.By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously.
D.“There goes my old man,” Mrs. Delacroix said.
Despite years of simplification, the villagers cling to the ritual, performing it with solemn respect. The late arrival of Mrs. Hutchinson adds a fleeting moment of levity, but the gravity of the event quickly takes hold. The lottery, mysterious and immutable, serves as a chilling reminder of the power of tradition and collective compliance.
[16] A tall boy in the crowd raised his hand. “Here,” he said. “I’m drawing for m’mother and me.” He blinked his eyes nervously and ducked his head as several voices in the crowd said things like “Good fellow, Jack,” and “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it.”
[17] “Well,” Mr. Summers said, “guess that’s everyone. Old Man Warner make it?”
[18] “Here,” a voice said, and Mr. Summers nodded.
[19] A sudden hush fell on the crowd as Mr. Summers cleared his throat and looked at the list. “All ready?” he called. “Now, I’ll read the names — heads of families first — and the men come up and take a paper out of the box. Keep the paper folded in your hand without looking at it until everyone has had a turn. Everything clear?”
[20] The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions; most of them were quiet, wetting their lips, not looking around. Then Mr. Summers raised one hand high and said, “Adams.” A man disengaged himself from the crowd and came forward. “Hi, Steve,” Mr. Summers said, and Mr. Adams said. “Hi, Joe.” They grinned at one another humorlessly and nervously. Then Mr. Adams reached into the black box and took out a folded paper. He held it firmly by one corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the crowd, where he stood a little apart from his family, not looking down at his hand.
[21] “Allen,” Mr. Summers said. “Anderson... Bentham.”
[22] “Seems like there’s no time at all between lotteries any more,” Mrs. Delacroix said to Mrs. Graves in the back row. “Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.”
[23] “Time sure goes fast,” Mrs. Graves said.
[24] “Clark... Delacroix.”
[25] “There goes my old man,” Mrs. Delacroix said. She held her breath while her husband went forward.
[26] “Dunbar,” Mr. Summers said, and Mrs. Dunbar went steadily to the box while one of the women said, “Go on, Janey,” and another said, “There she goes.”
[27] “We’re next,” Mrs. Graves said. She watched while Mr. Graves came around from the side of the box, greeted Mr. Summers gravely, and selected a slip of paper from the box. By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously. Mrs. Dunbar and her two sons stood together, Mrs. Dunbar holding the slip of paper.
[28] “Harburt... Hutchinson.”
[29] “Get up there, Bill,” Mrs. Hutchinson said, and the people near her laughed.
[30] “Jones.”
[31] “They do say,” Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, “that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery.”
[32] Old Man Warner snorted. “Pack of crazy fools,” he said. “Listening to the young folks, nothing’s good enough for them. Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while. Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.’ First thing you know, we’d all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. “Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.”
[33] “Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mrs. Adams said.
[34] “Nothing but trouble in that,” Old Man Warner said stoutly. “Pack of young fools.”
[35] “Martin.” And Bobby Martin watched his father go forward. “Overdyke... Percy.”
[36] “I wish they’d hurry,” Mrs. Dunbar said to her older son. “I wish they’d hurry.”
[37] “They’re almost through,” her son said.
[38] “You get ready to run tell Dad,” Mrs. Dunbar said.
[39] Mr. Summers called his own name and then stepped forward precisely and selected a slip from the box. Then he called, “Warner.”
[40] “Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery,” Old Man Warner said as he went through the crowd. “Seventy-seventh time.”
[41] “Watson.” The tall boy came awkwardly through the crowd. Someone said, “Don’t be nervous, Jack,” and Mr. Summers said, “Take your time, son.”
[42] “Zanini.”
[43] After that, there was a long pause, a breathless pause, until Mr. Summers, holding his slip of paper in the air, said, “All right, fellows.” For a minute, no one moved, and then all the slips of paper were opened. Suddenly, all the women began to speak at once, saying, “Who is it?,” “Who’s got it?,” “Is it the Dunbars?,” “Is it the Watsons?” Then the voices began to say, “It’s Hutchinson. It’s Bill.” “Bill Hutchinson’s got it.”
[44] “Go tell your father,” Mrs. Dunbar said to her older son.
[45] People began to look around to see the Hutchinsons. Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand. Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!”
The story concludes with the grim and chilling resolution of the village's annual lottery. Tessie Hutchinson, who protests the fairness of the process, is revealed to hold the slip of paper marked with the black spot, designating her as the chosen one. Despite her cries of injustice, the villagers, bound by tradition, quickly move to carry out the ritual of encircling her and throwing stones at her.
1.
Which word is closest in meaning to hastily as it is used in paragraph 20?
A.Calmly
B.Cheerfully
C.Firmly
D.Hurriedly
2.
What does the author’s portrayal of Old Man Warner in paragraph 32 reveal to the reader?
A.He is supportive of change and open to new ideas.
B.He is resistant to change and values tradition.
C.He is indifferent to the lottery and uninterested in its outcome.
D.He is eager to end the lottery and embrace modern ways.
3.
Which details from paragraphs 20 and 32 best support the key idea that the lottery is an established tradition that people are reluctant to change?
Select TWO correct answers.
A.“Hi, Steve,” Mr. Summers said, and Mr. Adams said. “Hi, Joe.” (paragraph 20)
B.“There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. (paragraph 32)
C.The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions. (paragraph 20)
D.Mrs. Delacroix said to Mrs. Graves in the back row, “Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.” (paragraph 22)
E.“Clark... Delacroix.” (paragraph 24)
4.
Read paragraph 20 from the excerpt.
What does the word disengaged mean?
A.Removed
B.Attached
C.Grabbed
D.Held on
5.
What is the most likely reason the author wrote this story?
A.To emphasize the contrast between harmless traditions and dangerous rituals.
B.To convince readers that outdated customs should be preserved.
C.To illustrate the importance of communal rituals and their impact on society.
D.To establish the dangers of blindly following tradition and resisting change.
6.
Which of these is the best summary of the text?
A.The townspeople gather annually for a lottery that has been part of their tradition for many years. They follow the process nervously, waiting to see the outcome. Each family is called up in order, and the community participates without questioning the purpose of the ritual.
B.The townspeople meet to conduct a yearly lottery, a long-standing tradition that few question. Although some villagers mention that other communities have abandoned the practice, most continue nervously, adhering to the established process until the grim results and outcome are revealed.
C.The lottery is a cherished tradition in the village, where participants eagerly take part every year. The event brings the community together, and everyone participates joyfully, looking forward to the results.
D.The villagers come together to discuss the future of the lottery and whether it should be continued. Some members express doubt about its necessity, but others insist that the tradition must go on as it has always been done.
7.
How does the author highlight the contrast between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner?
A.By showing Mr. Adams’ willingness to question the lottery and Old Man Warner’s staunch defense of it.
B.By portraying Mr. Adams as indifferent to the lottery and Old Man Warner as passionate about it.
C.By contrasting Mr. Adams’ apprehension toward change with Old Man Warner’s resistance to it.
D.By emphasizing Mr. Adams’ role as a follower and Old Man Warner’s role as a leader.
8.
How does the use of foreshadowing in paragraphs 31–34 deepen the reader's understanding of the community?
Select TWO correct answers.
A.It suggests that some villagers are open to abandoning the lottery.
B.It hints at growing tension between those who question the lottery and those who defend it.
C.It foreshadows a dramatic rebellion against the lottery.
D.It emphasizes Old Man Warner’s role as a defender of tradition.
E.It implies that the community is growing violent and angry with each other.
9.
How does the dialogue between Mr. Adams and Old Man Warner in paragraph 31 contribute to the plot of “The Lottery”?
A.To highlight that there is a divide in opinions about the lottery.
B.To show that Mr. Adams is defiant and stubborn
C.To illustrate that Old Man Warner is forgetful and absentminded.
D.To suggest that Mr. Adams is uneasy about Old Man Warner’s strong defense of the lottery.
10.
Which quotation best illustrates the villagers’ nervous anticipation during the drawing?
A.“You get ready to run tell Dad,” Mrs. Dunbar said.
B.“Seems like we got through with the last one only last week.”
C.By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously.
D.“There goes my old man,” Mrs. Delacroix said.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers to your questions about "The Lottery":
1. **D. Hurriedly** - "Hastily" means to do something quickly or in a rushed manner.
2. **B. He is resistant to change and values tradition.** - Old Man Warner's comments reflect a strong attachment to tradition and a disdain for changes to it.
3. **B. “There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. (paragraph 32)** and **C. The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions. (paragraph 20)** - These details highlight the established and unchanging nature of the lottery tradition.
4. **A. Removed** - In the context of paragraph 20, "disengaged" means to come out of or remove oneself from the crowd.
5. **D. To establish the dangers of blindly following tradition and resisting change.** - The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of following traditions without questioning them.
6. **B. The townspeople meet to conduct a yearly lottery, a long-standing tradition that few question. Although some villagers mention that other communities have abandoned the practice, most continue nervously, adhering to the established process until the grim results and outcome are revealed.** - This summary captures the essence of the story and the villagers' attitudes towards the lottery.
7. **A. By showing Mr. Adams’ willingness to question the lottery and Old Man Warner’s staunch defense of it.** - Mr. Adams expresses doubt about the lottery, whereas Old Man Warner staunchly defends the tradition.
8. **A. It suggests that some villagers are open to abandoning the lottery.** and **B. It hints at growing tension between those who question the lottery and those who defend it.** - These points highlight the emerging conflict within the community regarding the tradition.
9. **A. To highlight that there is a divide in opinions about the lottery.** - The dialogue demonstrates differing perspectives on the lottery, indicating a split in the community's views.
10. **C. By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously.** - This quotation best captures the villagers' anxious feelings during the drawing.
1. **D. Hurriedly** - "Hastily" means to do something quickly or in a rushed manner.
2. **B. He is resistant to change and values tradition.** - Old Man Warner's comments reflect a strong attachment to tradition and a disdain for changes to it.
3. **B. “There’s always been a lottery,” he added petulantly. (paragraph 32)** and **C. The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions. (paragraph 20)** - These details highlight the established and unchanging nature of the lottery tradition.
4. **A. Removed** - In the context of paragraph 20, "disengaged" means to come out of or remove oneself from the crowd.
5. **D. To establish the dangers of blindly following tradition and resisting change.** - The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of following traditions without questioning them.
6. **B. The townspeople meet to conduct a yearly lottery, a long-standing tradition that few question. Although some villagers mention that other communities have abandoned the practice, most continue nervously, adhering to the established process until the grim results and outcome are revealed.** - This summary captures the essence of the story and the villagers' attitudes towards the lottery.
7. **A. By showing Mr. Adams’ willingness to question the lottery and Old Man Warner’s staunch defense of it.** - Mr. Adams expresses doubt about the lottery, whereas Old Man Warner staunchly defends the tradition.
8. **A. It suggests that some villagers are open to abandoning the lottery.** and **B. It hints at growing tension between those who question the lottery and those who defend it.** - These points highlight the emerging conflict within the community regarding the tradition.
9. **A. To highlight that there is a divide in opinions about the lottery.** - The dialogue demonstrates differing perspectives on the lottery, indicating a split in the community's views.
10. **C. By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously.** - This quotation best captures the villagers' anxious feelings during the drawing.