6A Dahl & Narrative

According to paragraph 5, it was important for parents to send their children food from home because _________.

• the boys were not well fed at school

• the boys only liked food from home

• the Headmaster wanted extra food for himself

• the Headmaster hoped the boys would share food

What idea is developed in paragraphs 5–7?

• Young boys away from home can be very mischievous.

• Mothers who send their boys away are unusually anxious.

• The boys at St Peter’s keep many secrets from the Headmaster.

• Tuck-boxes are extremely important to boys at boarding school.

What are TWO reasons Dahl “began to grow apprehensive,” as he describes in paragraph 8?

• He does not like the seedy seaside resort town.

• He is concerned about being apart from his family.

• He does not know what to expect at boarding school.

• He is worried about misplacing his trunk and tuck-box.

• He feels scared during the boat ride across the channel.

Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the passage. “My mother had chosen for me a Prep School in a part of England which was as near as it could possibly be to our home in South Wales, and it was called St Peter’s.” Now read this sentence from paragraph 8 of the passage. “I had never spent a single night away from our large family before.” How does the sentence from paragraph 8 relate to the sentence from paragraph 1?

• It offers a possible explanation as to why Dahl is not able to attend another school.

• It offers a possible explanation for why Dahl’s mother chooses a school close to home.

• It offers a possible explanation for why Dahl has been accepted to St Peter’s Prep School.

• It offers a possible explanation for why Dahl misses his family and is glad to visit home often.

In paragraph 9, Dahl writes that his new school “looked rather like a private lunatic asylum.” What does this description suggest about how Dahl felt entering St. Peter’s for the first time?

• Excited

• Impressed

• Comforted

• Intimidated

Dahl uses figurative language to describe the Headmaster in paragraph 11: “he gave me the kind of flashing grin a shark might give to a small fish just before he gobbles it up.” Which of the following statements are implied by this language? Mark each statement Yes or No.

• He has tremendous strength and power.

• He is unreliable and not to be trusted.

• He shows great concern for his students.

• He is uncertain about how to talk to parents.

Which of the following statements are reasonable inferences based on the details in paragraphs 12–14? Mark each statement Yes or No.

• The Headmaster wants the parents to leave quickly.

• Dahl’s mother is worried about leaving him alone at school.

• Dahl is unhappy about being left alone at school.

What is the controlling idea of the passage?

• New clothes help people face unfamiliar situations.

• New adventures can be both exciting and scary.

• Everyone needs a secret place for their treasures.

• Everyone needs something to remind them of home.

How does Dahl’s attitude toward the boarding school change from the beginning of the passage to the end?

• As he gets closer to school and further from home, he grows more afraid of being alone.

• As he views his surroundings, he begins to have more of an appreciation for his family.

• As he observes the Headmaster’s behavior, he knows he has found someone he can count on.

• As he gains confidence when seeing other students, he welcomes his mother’s departure.