This document contains 4 excerpts from the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson along with questions about each excerpt. The excerpts describe the black box used for the lottery drawing, Mrs. Hutchinson arriving for the drawing, Nancy a 12-year old girl being selected, and a discussion between Bill Hutchinson and Mr. Summers about Hutchinson's family participating in the drawing.

1. Name:________________________________ Date:________________
All About Voice
1) The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago, and the
black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old
Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born. (pg. 1 paragraph 5)
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2) Mrs. Hutchinson said grinning, "Wouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink,
now, would you Joe?," and soft laughter ran through the crowd as the people
stirred back into position after Mrs. Hutchinson's arrival.
"Well, now." Mr. Summers said soberly, "guess we better get started, get this
over with, so's we can go back to work. Anybody ain't here? (pg. 2 & 3
paragraph 9)
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3) Nancy was twelve, and her school friends breathed heavily as she went
forward switching her skit, and took a slip daintily from the box.
(pg. 6, second full paragraph)
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4) “I guess not, Joe.” Bill Hutchinson said regretfully. “My daughter draws with
her husband’s family; that’s only fair. And I’ve got no other family except the
kids.”
“Then, as far as drawing for families is concerned, it’s you,” Mr. Summers said
in explanation, “and as far as drawing for households is concerned, that’s you
too. Right?”
“Right,” Bill Hutchinson said.
“How many kids, Bill?” Mr. Summers asked formally.
“Three,” Bill Hutchinson said.
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Examples taken from “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.
Created by M. Coviello
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