"Accidental Hero" by Zadie Smith

In “Accidental Hero,” what accounts for the fact that the author’s father had

“an easy day” during the Battle of Normandy? Choose two options.

• He and those with him got good information.

• More dangerous assaults had already been made.

• He was riding in a tank.

• He and those with him were protected by a warship.

• The only enemy soldiers he saw were dead.

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How does the author’s father mainly view his actions during World War II?

• with pride

• with shame

• with horror

• with humility

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Read the following excerpt from “Accidental Hero.”

That’s the end of our interview on the tape. Afterward he phoned me up several

times to reiterate one point. He wasn’t brave. I said, okay, Dad, yes, I’ve got that bit.

In this excerpt, what is the most likely meaning of reiterate? Base your answer on context.

• remember

• illustrate

• repeat

• doubt

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According to “Accidental Hero,” into what kind of “mold” did the author try to force her father’s story?

• one that seemed more typical

• one in which he made no mistakes

• one that told a more dramatic story

• one in which he was in more danger

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What does the author of “Accidental Hero” learn about her father as a result of interviewing him? Choose three options.

• He suffers emotionally from his experiences.

• He had enlisted as a soldier when he was very young.

• He remained who he was essentially, despite fighting in the war.

• He still has shrapnel in his body.

• He was wounded as a result of making a mistake.

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In “Accidental Hero,” what does the author’s father emphasize as he tells his story and even afterward?

• He saw terrible things during the battle and is still haunted by the

  memory.

• He wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been for his commanding officer.

• He was quite young and very naive at the time of the battle.

• He didn’t demonstrate unusual courage during the war.

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Consider the context, and choose the most likely meaning of distraught as it is used in this excerpt.

A sentimental man, physically gentle, pacifistic in all things and possessed of a

liberal heart that does not so much bleed as hemorrhage. It is perfectly normal to

phone my father around 6:30 in the evening and find him distraught, reduced to

tears by watching the news.

• fiercely outraged

• deeply frustrated

• greatly relieved

• deeply upset

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What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of concertinaed in this sentence?

So much experience that should be parceled out, tenderly, over years, came to my

father that day, concertinaed into twenty-four hours.

• collapsed or folded

• changed or converted

• stretched or expanded

• unraveled or separated

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In “Accidental Hero,” the author’s father frequently mentioned Bert Scaife. Which of the following was his most likely reason for doing so?

• to contrast his behavior with Scaife's

• to provide background for his story

• to explain why Scaife was famous

• to add interest to the story

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