"The Landlady" Review for Test

How does the point of view of the story contribute to the suspense?

• because the story is written in the first person point of view, the reader understands the apprehension that Billy feels while staying at the bed and breakfast

• 1. because the story is written in the third person point of view, tension is created because the reader is unaware of the landlady’s true intentions

• 1. because the story is written in the third person point of view, the reader is aware of the landlady’s sinister plans for Billy

• 1. because the story is written in the first person point of view, suspense is created because the reader is aware that the landlady has poisoned the tea

 Which of the following sentences should NOT be included in a summary of “The Landlady”?

• 1. Billy comes to town on business, and he ends up staying at a bed and breakfast. 

• 1. Originally, Billy was planning on staying at a pub called the Bell and Dragon.

• 1. The landlady of the bed and breakfast appears to be kind and gentle, and the place is warm and welcoming. 

• 1. Billy feels frustrated when he recognizes names of two other men that are on the guestbook because he cannot remember how he knows them. 

• 1. Billy soon discovers that not everything is as it appears to be when he finds out that all of the animals are stuffed. 

How does the following dialogue propel the action?

“But before you go to  bed, would you be kind enough to pop into the sitting-room on the ground floor and sign the book? Everyone has to do that  because it’s the law of the land, and we  don’t want to go breaking any laws at this  stage in the proceedings, do we?” She  gave him a little wave of the hand and  went quickly out of the room and closed  the door.  

• 1. because Billy has to sign the book, he will have to pay the landlady the full amount for the room

• 1. because Billy has to sign the book, the landlady will now have the opportunity to find out his name

• 1. because Billy has to come downstairs again, he will feel obligated to tell the landlady about his reason for the visit

• 1. because Billy has to come downstairs again, the landlady now has an opportunity to give him some tea 

What does the word "earnestly" most likely mean in the quote below?

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

• 1. full of sorrow

• 1. sincerely and seriously

• 1. compassionately and heartfelt

• 1. in a confused manner

PART A: What can the reader assume happened to the other guests of the landlady, Mr. Mulholland and Mr. Temple?

• 1. They were drafted into the army, and so they had to leave the bed and breakfast.

• 1. The landlady married Mr. Mullholland, so Mr. Temple left the bed and breakfast.

• 1. The landlady poisoned them and kept their stuffed corpses.

• 1. The landlady has kidnapped them, and they are alive on the third floor.

 PART B: Which piece of evidence best support the inference in Part A?

• 1. “He’s still here. Mr. Temple is also here. They’re on the third floor, both of them together.”

• 1. “Oh, it’s the perfect age! Mr Mulholland was also seventeen.”

• 1. “Never in my life have I seen anyone drink as much tea as dear,  sweet Mr Mulholland.”  

• 1.  Christopher Mulholland, 231 Cathedral Road,  Cardiff. Gregory W. Temple, 27 Sycamore  Drive, Bristol. 

Which of the following TWO lines of text reveal the landlady’s concern for appearance?

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

• 1. “You have the most beautiful teeth, Mr  Weaver, did you know that?” 

• 1. “His skin was just like a baby’s.”  

• 1. Now, the fact that his landlady appeared  to be slightly off her rocker didn’t worry  Billy in the least. 

 Which word could replace the word “lapsed” in the sentence below?

He waited for her to say  something else, but she seemed to have lapsed into another of her silences.

• continued

• learned

• finished

• fallen

Which of the following lines reveals the landlady’s possible plan to poison Billy?

• 1. “How time does fly  away from us all, doesn’t it, Mr Wilkins?”  

• 1. “I’ve put a water bottle between the sheets to air them out,  Mr Weaver."

• 1. “I’ll leave you now so  that you can unpack.”

• 1. The tea tasted faintly of bitter almonds, and he didn’t much care for it.

What does the word “tantalising” most likely mean in the passage below?

“I’m almost positive it was in the  newspapers I saw them,” Billy said. “I’ll  think of it in a second.

I’m sure I will.”   There is nothing more tantalising than a thing like this which lingers just outside the  

borders of one’s memory. He hated to give  up.  

• 1. exciting; enjoyable

• 1. tormenting; teasingly out of reach

• 1. delicious; satisfying an urge

• 1. depressing; filled with sorrow