Read the excerpt from "The Lottery."The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o'clock; in some towns there were so many people that the lottery took two days and had to be started on June 26th, but in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, the whole lottery took only about two hours, so it could begin at ten o'clock in the morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner.
Answer
A
anticipation and lightheartedness
B
sadness and regret
C
anger and grief
D
irritation and boredom
Explanation
The clear, sunny morning and descriptions of blooming flowers and green grass create a cheerful, pleasant atmosphere. The villagers gather as part of a familiar community event, and the practical detail about finishing in time for noon dinner makes the occasion seem ordinary and lighthearted. This supports “anticipation and lightheartedness,” even though the story later reveals a darker side to the lottery.
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