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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Lamb to the Slaughter quiz: test your grasp of Dahl's short story

Quick, free Lamb to the Slaughter comprehension check. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Spencer LiuUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art quiz banner featuring Lamb to the Slaughter title on sky blue background

This Lamb to the Slaughter quiz helps you review plot points, character motives, and the twist that drives Roald Dahl's story. After you score, try The Landlady quiz, explore a classroom favorite with Charles short story quiz, or switch to a novel with the Roald Dahl Matilda quiz.

Who is the protagonist of the story?
Sam the grocer
Patrick Maloney
Detective Jack Noonan
Mary Maloney
Mary Maloney is the main character around whom the entire plot of "Lamb to the Slaughter" revolves. The narrative follows her emotional journey and drastic actions after her husband delivers shocking news. Dahl uses her perspective to build suspense and dark humor in the story. .
What is the name of Mary's husband who is murdered in the story?
Mary Maloney
Sam the grocer
Patrick Maloney
Detective Jack Noonan
Mary's husband is named Patrick Maloney, and he works as a police detective. His unexpected announcement triggers the dramatic events of the plot. Mary's reaction to Patrick's news is central to the story's suspense. .
What is Patrick Maloney's occupation?
Doctor
Butcher
Detective Inspector
Teacher
Patrick Maloney serves as a Detective Inspector in the police force, which makes his murder particularly ironic. His occupation brings the investigating officers into Mary's home, heightening the story's tension. Dahl's choice of a police officer as the victim deepens the sense of irony and dark humor. .
What object does Mary Maloney use to kill her husband?
Rolling pin
Frozen leg of lamb
Fireplace poker
Kitchen knife
Mary uses a frozen leg of lamb as an improvised weapon to strike Patrick Maloney, which is both shocking and darkly humorous. The choice of a domestic item reflects the story's theme of violence hidden within the ordinary. This weapon later becomes a crucial element of the plot twist. .
What does Mary do with the leg of lamb immediately after striking her husband?
Puts it in the oven to cook
Hides it in the garden
Gives it to the dog
Throws it in the trash
After the murder, Mary instinctively places the leg of lamb in the oven to cook as if nothing unusual has happened. This action helps her establish an alibi by keeping the lamb 'in use.' Dahl uses this twist to blend domestic routine with criminal cover-up. .
Where does Mary go to establish an alibi after the crime?
Neighbour's house
Pub
Police station
Grocery store
Mary visits the local grocery store and engages the grocer in conversation to create an alibi. She tells him her husband has taken ill to explain her late return. This deliberate move misleads the police when the murder is discovered. .
What meal do the investigating officers eat at Mary's house?
Chicken casserole
Fish and chips
Vegetable soup
Roast leg of lamb
The detectives unknowingly consume the roast leg of lamb that was the murder weapon. This darkly comic twist represents the story's most famous example of dramatic irony. It also prevents them from discovering crucial evidence. .
What piece of evidence does Mary leave at the crime scene?
The leg bone
A letter
Her scarf
Her purse
Mary leaves the leg bone at the crime scene, which later disappears when the officers eat it. This oversight is pivotal to her escaping suspicion. Dahl uses this detail to heighten the story's ironic humor. .
What shocking news does Patrick deliver to Mary before he is killed?
He got a promotion
He is seriously ill
He intends to leave her
He won the lottery
Patrick tells Mary that he wants to end their marriage, which triggers her unexpected and violent response. This emotional betrayal is the central catalyst of the plot. Dahl uses this twist to explore themes of love, trust, and revenge. .
What activity is Mary engaged in when Patrick arrives home?
Cooking soup
Reading a novel
Watching TV
Knitting
Mary is knitting in a calm domestic scene when Patrick arrives, which contrasts sharply with the violence that follows. This detail underlines her role as a conventional housewife before the murder occurs. It also heightens the story's dramatic reversal. .
From which point of view is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' narrated?
Third-person omniscient
First-person
Second-person
Third-person limited
The story is told in third-person limited perspective, focusing mainly on Mary's thoughts and actions. This choice allows readers to empathize with her while maintaining suspense about her inner motivations. Dahl's limited narration builds dramatic irony and surprise. .
Which genre best describes 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
Romance
Science fiction
Crime fiction
Fantasy
"Lamb to the Slaughter" is classified as crime fiction due to its focus on a murder, investigation, and criminal psychology. Dahl incorporates elements of suspense and dark humor typical of the genre. The story also plays with detective conventions by revealing the crime early. .
What excuse does Mary give the grocer when she goes shopping after the murder?
That she's preparing for a party
That her husband has been taken ill
That she forgot to shop earlier
That she's buying a gift
Mary tells the grocer her husband fell ill to justify her late visit and mask her true purpose. This lie helps her establish a credible alibi when the police investigate. Dahl uses this ploy to misdirect both characters and readers. .
Which literary device is demonstrated when the police officers unknowingly destroy the murder weapon?
Personification
Dramatic irony
Symbolism
Metaphor
Dramatic irony occurs because the reader knows the leg of lamb is the weapon, while the officers do not and consume it. This device heightens the dark humor and the twist ending. It showcases Dahl's mastery of suspenseful storytelling. .
On which TV anthology series was 'Lamb to the Slaughter' famously adapted?
Playhouse 90
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Masterpiece Theatre
The Twilight Zone
"Lamb to the Slaughter" was adapted for the television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1958. Hitchcock's framing of the story emphasized its suspense and dark humor. The adaptation remains one of the most well-known versions of Dahl's work. .
Which theme is central to the story?
Friendship
Freedom
Betrayal
Heroism
Betrayal is at the heart of "Lamb to the Slaughter," as Patrick's decision to leave Mary triggers the violent act. Dahl explores how personal betrayal can lead to extreme responses. The story examines trust and revenge within a domestic relationship. .
Which anthology first included the story 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
Kiss Kiss
Someone Like You
The Collected Roald Dahl
Twisted Tales
"Lamb to the Slaughter" was first published in Roald Dahl's 1953 anthology Someone Like You. This collection featured several of Dahl's early short stories. The book helped establish his reputation in post-war Britain. .
In what year was 'Lamb to the Slaughter' first published?
1947
1953
1960
1950
The story debuted in 1953 as part of the Someone Like You collection. This mid-20th-century publication date places it in the early phase of Dahl's adult fiction career. Its initial reception cemented Dahl's skill in crafting surprise endings. .
Which magazine originally published 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
The Saturday Evening Post
Time
Harper's
The New Yorker
The New Yorker first published 'Lamb to the Slaughter' in its January 24, 1953 issue. The magazine's readership appreciated its blend of wit and suspense. Dahl's association with The New Yorker boosted his profile in the United States. .
The title 'Lamb to the Slaughter' alludes to a phrase from which text?
Norse sagas
Greek mythology
Shakespeare's plays
The Bible
The phrase 'like a lamb to the slaughter' originates in the Bible, notably Isaiah 53:7, describing innocence led to death. Dahl's title evokes this allusion to highlight Mary's unsuspected capacity for violence. It also underscores the ironic cruelty of the plot. .
Which narrative style best characterizes 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
Epic poetry
Black comedy
Tragic drama
Satirical essay
Dahl employs black comedy by juxtaposing a domestic setting and murder with dark, ironic humor. The story's tone balances tension with comedic absurdity. This style allows readers to engage with serious themes through a wry lens. .
Mary's nurturing domestic persona that hides her violent act is an example of which device?
Foreshadowing
Irony
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole
The contrast between Mary's calm, caring image and her act of violence is a clear example of irony. Her dual role heightens the story's unsettling impact. Dahl uses this misdirection to surprise both readers and characters. .
What role does the domestic setting play in the story's suspense?
It symbolizes freedom
It limits the characters' movement
It contrasts violence with homeliness
It highlights technology
The familiar home environment contrasts starkly with the brutality of the murder, intensifying suspense. This juxtaposition makes the crime more shocking because it occurs in an everyday setting. Dahl uses this to subvert readers' expectations of domestic safety. .
Which literary technique is employed by the title 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
Allusion
Onomatopoeia
Allegory
Juxtaposition
The title alludes to a biblical phrase about innocence led to sacrifice, enhancing thematic depth. This technique draws on existing cultural resonance to foreshadow the story's irony. Dahl's use of allusion enriches readers' expectations. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Plot Twists -

    Recount the major twists in Dahl's tale to tackle Lamb to the Slaughter quiz questions with confidence.

  2. Analyze Character Motivations -

    Examine the psychological drivers of Mary and Patrick Maloney to understand their actions and outcomes.

  3. Evaluate Fiction vs. Reality -

    Assess whether Lamb to the Slaughter is a true story by exploring its fictional elements and Dahl's realistic details.

  4. Identify Suspense Techniques -

    Spot the literary devices and narrative strategies Dahl uses to build suspense and deliver unexpected twists.

  5. Apply Critical Thinking -

    Use inference and deduction to answer tricky Lamb to the Slaughter trivia and story-based questions accurately.

  6. Gauge Dahl Trivia Knowledge -

    Measure your overall grasp of Roald Dahl's style and story nuances through our engaging Roald Dahl Lamb to the Slaughter quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Plot Dynamics & Key Twists -

    Review the sequence of events from Mary Maloney's domestic bliss to the shocking murder with a frozen leg of lamb, noting how Dahl builds suspense in just six pages. According to Cambridge University Press analyses, the tight chronology enhances tension, so try the mnemonic "CFE" (Clue, Fake, Escape) to remember Clue discovery, Fake alibi, and Escape sequence. This roadmap will help you ace lamb to the slaughter quiz questions on plot structure.

  2. Mary Maloney's Motivations -

    Understand Mary's shift from devoted housewife to cunning criminal - her emotional betrayal is a classic trait highlighted in SparkNotes and JSTOR studies. Focus on how Dahl subverts gender stereotypes by giving her both vulnerability and ruthless ingenuity, then recall the phrase "Love Turned Lethal" to keep her motive clear. Mastering her psychology helps you tackle "is lamb to the slaughter a true story" discussions by distinguishing fact from Dahl's fiction.

  3. Themes of Betrayal & Justice -

    Explore the twin themes of betrayal and poetic justice, which literature scholars at the University of Reading identify as Dahl's critical commentary on domestic power dynamics. Use the acronym "BJD" (Betrayal, Judgment, Domesticity) to link key thematic elements when answering lamb to the slaughter questions. This framework ensures you can cite examples like Mrs. Maloney's "cold" revenge in a clear, confident response.

  4. Irony & Symbolism -

    Dahl's use of dramatic irony is central: the weapon is literally the "lamb" and dinner becomes the murder cover-up, a symbol noted in Modern Fiction Studies. Remember the three layers of irony - situational, verbal, and dramatic - using the quick tip "I²D" (Irony² + Dinner) to decode questions about literary devices. This tactic will make lamb to the slaughter trivia on symbolism feel like second nature.

  5. Historical & Authorial Context -

    Place the story in post-war Britain, where Dahl wrote for the BBC and often turned real headlines into fiction - though "lamb to the slaughter" remains purely imaginative per Roald Dahl's official archive. Practice with sample quiz items (e.g., "What does Mary buy to build her alibi?") to reinforce details and dispel myths about true-story origins. Contextual knowledge is your secret weapon for nailing every Roald Dahl lamb to the slaughter quiz question.

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