The Landlady By Roald Dahl
Revision questions based on the content of this story. Reread the story if necessary.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The boys who stayerd at the Landlady's bed and breakfast were Mr. Mulholland, Mr. Temple and Drioli.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The given statement is false. The boys who stayed at the Landlady's bed and breakfast were not Mr. Mulholland, Mr. Temple, and Drioli.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Billy was a tiny bit frightened of boarding-houses. The word itself __________ up images of watery _____________, ____________ landladies, and a powerful of ________________ in the __________ -room.
Correct Answer
conjured cabbage rapacious smell living-roomExplanation
The word "conjured" in the given sentence suggests that the word "boarding-houses" brings up vivid and imaginary images in Billy's mind. These images include the smell of "cabbage" which implies poor quality food, "rapacious" landladies indicating their greediness, and a powerful smell in the "living-room" which adds to the unpleasantness of the boarding-house experience.Rate this question:
- 3.
What is the theme of the story?
- A.
Mankind is greedy
- B.
Appearances are deceptive
- C.
Mankind is corrupt
Correct Answer
B. Appearances are deceptiveExplanation
The theme of the story is "appearances are deceptive" because throughout the story, the characters or situations may seem one way, but they turn out to be completely different. This theme suggests that things are not always what they seem, and it emphasizes the importance of looking beyond surface-level appearances to truly understand and judge people or situations.Rate this question:
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- 4.
How old is the landlady?
- A.
40 - 50 years
- B.
45 - 60 years
- C.
30 -40 years
- D.
45 - 50 years
Correct Answer
D. 45 - 50 yearsExplanation
Based on the given options, the age range of the landlady is 45-50 years. This suggests that the landlady is likely to be within this age range.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Identify the following literary devices: "The old girl is slightly dotty".
- A.
Oxymoron
- B.
Hyperbole
- C.
Personification
- D.
Metaphor
- E.
Synechdoche
Correct Answer
B. HyperboleExplanation
The phrase "The old girl is slightly dotty" is an example of hyperbole. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. In this case, the speaker is using hyperbole to emphasize that the old girl is not just slightly dotty, but extremely so. The use of the word "slightly" is ironic, as it actually intensifies the exaggeration.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Who is the protagonist?
- A.
The landlady
- B.
Billy Weaver
- C.
Christopher Mulholland
- D.
Gregory Temple
Correct Answer
B. Billy WeaverExplanation
The correct answer is Billy Weaver. In the given question, the protagonist refers to the main character or the central figure in a story. Among the options provided, Billy Weaver is the only named individual, while the others are not specified further. Therefore, it can be inferred that Billy Weaver is the protagonist of the story.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Describe what verbal irony is and give an example from the story. Verbal irony is when characters _______________ one thing but ___________ something else. The landlady says that the ________ _____________ "comes right through this window." She does not actually mean for Billy to see the morning sun the _____ day.
Correct Answer
say mean morning sun nextExplanation
Verbal irony is when characters say one thing but mean something else. The landlady says that the "morning sun comes right through this window." She does not actually mean for Billy to see the morning sun the next day.Rate this question:
- 8.
Give an example of an oxymoron from the story. She seemed ________ __________.
Correct Answer
terribly niceExplanation
The phrase "terribly nice" is an example of an oxymoron because "terribly" usually implies something negative or unpleasant, while "nice" implies something positive or pleasant. The use of these contrasting words together creates a contradictory and ironic effect, highlighting the character's complex and contradictory nature.Rate this question:
- 9.
How does the author ceate suspense in this short story? In this story Billy almost remembers something about ___________, but the landlady ______________ him - _____________, _____________ Billy's line of thought
Correct Answer
Mulholland interrupts twice distractingExplanation
The author creates suspense in the short story by having Mulholland interrupt Billy twice, distracting him from his line of thought. This interruption suggests that there may be something important or significant about the topic Billy is trying to remember, adding suspense and making the reader curious about what it could be.Rate this question:
- 10.
What does the taste of the almonds symbolise in the story?
- A.
The taste of cookies at tea time
- B.
Cyanide
- C.
Poisoning
Correct Answer
B. CyanideExplanation
The taste of cyanide symbolizes danger or poison in the story. It suggests that consuming almonds or anything associated with them can be harmful or deadly. This adds a sense of suspense and intrigue to the narrative, as the reader wonders why something as seemingly harmless as almonds could be so dangerous. The taste of cyanide serves as a metaphor for the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath seemingly innocent things.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Foreshadowing is the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in the story. Tick all the examples of foreshadowing in the following boxes.
- A.
The landlady smells of a hospital.
- B.
Billy arrives in Bath.
- C.
The landlady is a taxidermist.
- D.
Her red fingernails refers to the arsenic she has used and which left her fingers raw.
- E.
The two boys whose names were in the guest book in the guestbook were missing/dead.
Correct Answer(s)
A. The landlady smells of a hospital.
C. The landlady is a taxidermist.
D. Her red fingernails refers to the arsenic she has used and which left her fingers raw.
E. The two boys whose names were in the guest book in the guestbook were missing/dead.Explanation
The examples of foreshadowing in the given options are:
- The landlady smells of a hospital: This suggests that there may be something sinister or unusual about her, possibly related to medical practices.
- The landlady is a taxidermist: This hints at her interest in preserving dead animals, which could foreshadow her involvement in something dark or disturbing.
- Her red fingernails refer to the arsenic she has used and which left her fingers raw: This implies that the landlady has been using arsenic, which could foreshadow her involvement in poisoning or harm.
- The two boys whose names were in the guest book were missing/dead: This suggests that something has happened to the boys, indicating a potential danger or mystery surrounding their disappearance or death.Rate this question:
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- 12.
"...everything is always ready..." What preparations had the landlady made for Billy's stay at the bed and breakfast? Tick the correct options.
- A.
She welcomed him warmly.
- B.
A warm water bottle was between the sheets.
- C.
The bedspread had been removed.
- D.
She accompanied him to his bedroom.
- E.
She is hospitable and friendly.
- F.
She keeps up the flow of conversation.
Correct Answer(s)
A. She welcomed him warmly.
B. A warm water bottle was between the sheets.
C. The bedspread had been removed.
D. She accompanied him to his bedroom.Explanation
The landlady had made several preparations for Billy's stay at the bed and breakfast. Firstly, she welcomed him warmly, indicating her hospitality and friendliness. Secondly, a warm water bottle was placed between the sheets, ensuring his comfort during the night. Thirdly, the bedspread had been removed, suggesting that the bed had been freshly made for his arrival. Lastly, she accompanied him to his bedroom, showing her attentiveness and willingness to assist him.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Why was the landlady sure that Billy would stay at her bed and breakfast? Tick the appropriate answer.
- A.
Because the light glowing in the window was cosy.
- B.
Because the BED and BREAKFAST sign in the window was welcoming
- C.
Because she was expecting him.
- D.
Because the rates of her lodgings was the lowest.
Correct Answer
D. Because the rates of her lodgings was the lowest.Explanation
The landlady was sure that Billy would stay at her bed and breakfast because the rates of her lodgings were the lowest. This suggests that she believed Billy would choose her place to stay based on the affordability factor.Rate this question:
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- 14.
When did Billy realise that the animals in the room was stuffed?
- A.
When he entered the BED and BREAKFAST.
- B.
When he touched them.
- C.
While they were drinking tea.
- D.
When he fell over them.
Correct Answer
C. While they were drinking tea.Explanation
Billy realized that the animals in the room were stuffed while they were drinking tea. This suggests that while the animals were engaged in the act of drinking tea, Billy noticed something unusual about their behavior or appearance that made him realize they were not real animals but rather stuffed ones.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The landlady was very interested in Billy's appearance and even referred to his beautiful teeth. What was Billy's reaction to this behaviour of the landlady?
- A.
He was very flattered.
- B.
He referred to the fillings in his teeth.
- C.
He commented on the two names in the guest book which seemen familiar.
- D.
He thought she was very observant but felt uncomfotable.
Correct Answer
B. He referred to the fillings in his teeth.Explanation
Billy's reaction to the landlady's interest in his appearance and complimenting his teeth was to refer to the fillings in his teeth. This suggests that Billy may have been self-conscious about his dental work and perhaps felt uncomfortable with the attention drawn to his teeth.Rate this question:
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- 16.
How did the landlady distract Billy when he had almost figured out who her previous guest were?
- A.
By asking Billy about his job
- B.
By pointing out her stuffed animals
- C.
By offering him a cup of tea
- D.
By complimenting him about his appearance.
Correct Answer
B. By pointing out her stuffed animalsExplanation
The landlady distracted Billy by pointing out her stuffed animals. This diversion tactic shifted Billy's attention away from his thoughts about her previous guests and onto the stuffed animals, effectively diverting his focus and preventing him from continuing to figure out the truth.Rate this question:
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- 17.
When the landlady said "... I stuff all my pets.." she implied that the boys who stay at her lodgings were also her pets and that she stuff them too.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The landlady's statement suggests that she considers the boys staying at her lodgings as her pets and that she stuffs them too, implying that she has killed and preserved them like her other pets. This indicates a dark and disturbing behavior, making the statement true.Rate this question:
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- 18.
In which ways did Billy resemble the landlady's previous guests?
- A.
They were business men.
- B.
They werer good looking and young
- C.
They all had beautiful teeth.
- D.
They were all well known.
Correct Answer
B. They werer good looking and youngExplanation
Billy resembled the landlady's previous guests because he was good looking and young, just like them.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Which phrase best describes the literary device "foreshadowing"?
- A.
The suspense in the story
- B.
Clues that hint at what happened before the story began
- C.
Clues that hint at will happen later in the story.
Correct Answer
C. Clues that hint at will happen later in the story.Explanation
Foreshadowing is a literary device where the author provides subtle hints or clues about future events in the story. These clues create a sense of anticipation and prepare the reader for what is to come. It is different from suspense, which refers to the feeling of excitement or uncertainty about what will happen next. In this case, the correct answer accurately describes foreshadowing as clues that hint at what will happen later in the story.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which one of the following quotes is not an example of foreshadowing?
- A.
"The air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice."
- B.
"There were no shops on this wide street that he was..."
- C.
"Each word was like large black eye staring at him through the glass"
- D.
"There wasn't a blemish on his body...his skin was like a baby's"
Correct Answer
B. "There were no shops on this wide street that he was..."Explanation
This quote does not provide any hint or indication of future events or outcomes. It simply describes the absence of shops on a street, without suggesting any foreshadowing elements. Foreshadowing typically involves subtle clues or hints that suggest future events or developments in a story.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 28, 2012Quiz Created by
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