The Golden Compass - Chapters 4, 5, 6

1. What is Lyra's impression of Mrs. Coulter?

• Lyra looked at Mrs. Coulter and felt disrespect for her as she was a female scholar. She regarded her as someone who was of no special interest.

• She instantly knew who she was and became very excited at meeting the famous Mrs. Coulter. She began to talk quickly about her life.

• Although she was a female scholar, she was not like any scholar she had seen before. Lyra was fascinated by how she dressed and her presence in the dining room.

2. Why is Lyra leaving Jordan College?

• She is going to help Lord Asriel on his adventures in the North.

• She is going to move in with the Gyptians to learn the way of the water.

• She is going to another college to learn more.

• She is going to be Mrs. Coulter's new assistant.

What does the Master give Lyra, and what instructions does he give her about it?

• He gave her a package, wrapped in brown paper, containing a crystal and told her to keep it safe.

• He gave her a small package, wrapped in velvet, which contained an alethiometer and told her not to tell anyone about it.

• He gave her advice not to trust Mrs. Coulter and instructed her to run away from her as soon as she could.

What does an alethiometer do?

• It tells you the future.

• It tells you how to find people who are lost.

• It tells you what happened in the past.

• It tells you the truth.

What is an 'oilskin' and why would Mrs. Coulter need one?

• It is a fabric to keep the person wearing it waterproof, which Mrs. Coulter would need when going to the North.

• It is a skin from an animal which is oily and Mrs. Coulter needs this for her daemon when going on their expedition.

• It is a type of hat which would stop your hair to freezing in the Arctic.

• It is an oil which you put on your own skin to keep yourself moisturised and warm when in very cold weather, such as the North.

Why does Lyra's knowledge have so many gaps in it?

• She was never given an education. She has never attended school and only knew some things from talking to the kitchen staff at Jordan College.

• She had only one scholar who had limited knowledge.

• Lyra rarely went to lessons and did not enjoy the ones she did go to.

• Lyra had various scholars, each told her something different, particularly about their own research and because of this, Lyra would skip lessons.

What does Mrs. Coulter teach Lyra?

• Scientific principles and Geology

• Art Skills and Musical Instruments

• The concept of 'Dust'

• The rudiments of Geography and Mathematics

Why does Lyra carry the leather should bag with her everywhere?

• To keep Pan inside

• To keep the alethiometer close

• Because it is a present from Mrs. Coulter on one of their shopping trips

• Because she loves the bag

Why are the kidnappers known as Gobblers?

• Because of their reputation for eating children

• Because of the loud screech they make when they steal a child

• Because of the initials of the General Oblation Board

• Because they spit on children and their daemons

How does Mrs. Coulter react when Lyra mentions dust?

• Mrs. Coulter gets very angry and attacks Lyra

• Mrs. Coulter calmly asks how she knows about the topic, but her daemon becomes very agitated.

• Mrs. Coulter changes the subject abruptly and pretends she hasn't mentioned it

• Mrs. Coulter explains to Lyra what dust is but tells her not to tell anyone else.