Dip in the Pool (Roald Dahl)

What is the literal meaning of the title 'Dip in the Pool'?

Answer explanation

At the end of the short story Botibol ends up diving into the sea —> dipping in the 'pool' of water (the sea)

What is the contextual meaning of the title of the story?

Answer explanation

Mr. Botibol cheats in order to win the money collected in the auction pool —> he dipped his hands into the auction pool to steal the money

How were the first two days described in the short story?

(HINT: The passengers were uncomfortable and most of them stayed in their cabins)

• Very calm.

• Very tumultuous

• Moderately rough.

How was the weather on the 3rd day?

• It was the same as the previous days.

• It was very calm and the lookout could see land a few miles away.

• It was snowing and there was an iceberg looming in the horizon.

• It was completely different than the previous days.

What happened during dinner time on the 3rd day?

• Some passengers went back to their cabins

• Halfway through dinner, the weather went from bad to worse

• Everyone started to vomit and were violently ill.

• The ship began to loll from side to side

Who was sitting next to the purser during dinner on the 3rd day?

After dinner was finished and coffee was served what did Mr Botibol do?

• Mr Botibol stood up and carried his cup of hot chocolate and went to sit in the chair where Mrs Renshaw was sitting

• Mr Botibol stood up, carried his flute of champagne and went to sit in the chair where Mrs Renshaw was sitting

• Mr Botibol stood up, carried his cup of coffee, and went to sit in the chair where Mrs Renshaw was sitting.

Who is the main character in the short story?

• He's the protagonist whose name is William Botibol. He is travelling alone. His wife, Ethel stayed at home for unknown reasons.

• He's the protagonist whose name is William Renshaw. He is travelling alone. His wife, Ethel stayed at home for unknown reasons.

• He's the protagonist whose name is William Dahl. He is travelling alone. His wife, Ethel stayed at home for unknown reasons.

• He's the protagonist whose name is William Tan. He is travelling alone. His wife, Ethel stayed at home for unknown reasons.

Which of these questions did Mr. Botibol ask the purser?

• If the purser himself was allowed to buy a number which one would it be?

• Which direction was the ship travelling in?

• If the captain wanted to play some tennis on the sundeck?

• What time did the captain make his estimate?

On his way down what does Mr Botibol ask the elevator man?

• He asked if the ship has sped up because of the bad weather.

• He asked if the ship had slowed down because of the bad weather.