The Landlady

Which quote from the story reveals the fact that the city feels much different than it looks.

• But the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks.

• ...it was about nine o’clock in the evening, and the moon was coming up out of a clear starry sky over the houses opposite the station entrance.

• “Try The Bell and Dragon,” the porter answered, pointing down the road. “They might take you in. It’s about a quarter of a mile along on the other side.”

• He had never been to Bath before.

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Billy was seventeen years old. He was wearing a new navy-blue overcoat, a new brown trilby hat, and a new brown suit, and he was feeling fine. He walked briskly down the street. He was trying to do everything briskly these days. Briskness, he had decided, was the one common characteristic of all successful businessmen. The big shots up at the head office were absolutely fantastically brisk all the time. They were amazing.

What do we know about Billy based on this paragraph?

• He was excited to start his new job.

• He is young and inexperienced.

• He is a great insurance salesman.

• He is desperate to find a place to live.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

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After reading the sign BED AND BREAKFAST, Billy spots 2 items that seem inviting. What are these items? (Choose 2)

• A dachshund

• A guestbook

• A tea service

• A parrot

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CCSS.RI.7.1

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CCSS.RL.7.1

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

There is a recurring theme throughout the story, "Things aren't what they seem." Which statement best illustrates this theme?

• There were no other hats or coats in the hall. There were no umbrellas, no walking sticks— nothing.

• On the second-floor landing she said to him, “This floor is mine.”

• She seemed terribly nice. She looked exactly like the mother of one’s best school friend welcoming one into the house to stay for the Christmas holidays.

• “Oh, I am, my dear, I am, of course I am. But the trouble is that I’m inclined to be just a teeny weeny bit choosy and particular—if you see what I mean.”

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

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Choose the quotes that best display the landlady's eagerness to have another victim.

• “It’s all ready for you, my dear,” she said. She had a round pink face and very gentle blue eyes.

• “I saw the notice in the window,” he said, holding himself back.

• He pressed the bell—and out she popped! It made him jump.

• “I was on my way to The Bell and Dragon,” Billy told her. “But the notice in your window just happened to catch my eye.”

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

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Which quote from the story shows the reader possible motivation for the landlady's actions?

• “I’m so glad you appeared,” she said, looking earnestly into his face. “I was beginning to get worried.”

• “And what about supper, my dear? Did you manage to get anything to eat before you came here?”

• “That’s all right,” Billy answered brightly. “You mustn’t worry about me.” He put his suitcase on the chair and started to open it.

• He guessed that she had probably lost a son in the war, or something like that, and had never gotten over it.

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What actions by the protagonist does the author use to build suspense?

• Billy unpacks his suitcase.

• Billy attempts to recall the 2 gentlemen in the guestbook.

• Billy writes a letter to his father.

• The landlady prepares tea for Billy.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

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Billy started sipping his tea. She did the same. For half a minute or so, neither of them spoke. But Billy knew that she was looking at him.

Why does the landlady most likely watch Billy as he drinks his tea?

• Because she is a creepy old lady.

• To see when the poison takes effect.

• He reminds her of her son.

• She is interested in his story.

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CCSS.RL.5.4

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“Now wait a minute,” he said. “Wait just a minute. Mulholland . . . Christopher Mulholland . . . wasn’t that the name of the Eton schoolboy who was on a walking tour through the West Country, and then all of a sudden . . .”

“Milk?” she said. “And sugar?”

What is the landlady's purpose for saying this line?

• She was trying to get Billy to drink the tea.

• She was appearing to be polite.

• She was thinking about her son.

• She was attempting to distract him from recalling where he had heard the names of the 2 men.

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Which statement best foreshadows Billy's fate?

• “That’s good. Because later on, if I happen to forget what you were called, then I could always come down here and look it up. I still do that almost every day with Mr. Mulholland and Mr. . . . Mr. . . .”

• She patted the empty place beside her on the sofa, and she sat there smiling at Billy and waiting for him to come over.

• Billy started sipping his tea. She did the same. For half a minute or so, neither of them spoke. But Billy knew that she was looking at him.

• Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?

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