The Landlady

According to the landlady, the reason she rarely had visitors was that...

• she was so far out of the way

• she was inclined to be too choosy and particular

• not many travelers stayed in the town of Bath

• she refused to accept anyone who didn't display exceptional manners.

After showing him to his room, the landlady asked Billy to come downstairs to...

• talk to her parrot

• sign her guestbook

• view the portraits on her walls

• sign the lodging contract

When Billy came downstairs, the landlady offered him..

• a glass of warm milk

• two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies

• a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit

• a slice of hummingbird cake

When he discovered that the landlady's hobby was taxidermy, how did Billy feel?

• impressed

• grossed out

• frightened

• unaffected

When he discovered that the landlady's hobby was taxidermy, how did Billy react?

• He complimented her skill

• He told her it was a weird hobby

• He was terrified as suddenly realized exactly what the woman was

• He didn't seem to think it was that unusual

Which detail most suggests to the reader that the landlady has used her taxidermy skills on more than just her pets?

• “He guessed that she had probably lost a son in the war, or something like that, and had never got over it.” (Paragraph 49)

• “‘Left?’ she said, arching her brows. ‘But my dear boy, he never left. He’s still here. Mr Temple is also here.’” (Paragraph 82)

• “he caught a whiff of a peculiar smell... he wasn’t quite sure what it reminded him of. Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?” (Paragraph 78)

• “‘if I happen to forget what you were called, then I can always come down here and look it up. I still do that almost every day with Mr Mulholland and Mr... Mr...’” (Paragraph 103)

What most likely happens to Billy?

• he becomes the new branch manager

• the woman uses her taxidermy skills to stuff his corpse

• he goes to a boarding house after all

• he lives there happily with the old woman and her strange pets

What does the landlady mean when she says, "They're on the fourth floor, both of them are here together."

• Her memory doesn't work that well and she is confused about time

• She is remembering the son she must have lost in the war

• That is where their taxidermy-preserved bodies are

• She means she never forgets a guest and they are part of her life forever

What characteristics of the house does Billy notice that appeal to him?

• The yellow flowers

• The sign Bed and Breakfast that is calling to him

• all of these

• the cozy fire in the fireplace

What is Billy's initial reaction to the landlady?

• He is afraid of her.

• He is suspicious of her.

• He finds her kind.

• He finds her too pushy.