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The Landlady (story written by Roald Dahl, 1959)

Total questions: 46

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

"Billy Weaver travelled down from London on the slow afternoon train, with a change at Swindon." -CommonLit

a)

Billy will board (get on) another train when he reaches the large town in South West England, Noun- thing

b)

Billy will board (get on) another train when he reaches the large town in South West England, Noun- a person

c)

Billy will board (get on) another train when he reaches the large town in South West England, Noun- a place

d)

Billy will board (get on) another train when he reaches the large town in South West England, Noun- an animal

2.

"By the time Billy Weaver got to Bath, it was about nine o’clock in the evening and the moon was coming up."

-CommonLit

a)

A region in the countryside in South West England, Noun- an animal

b)

A region in the countryside in South West England, Noun- a person

c)

A region in the countryside in South West England, Noun- a place

d)

A region in the countryside in South West England, Noun- a thing or idea

3.

It was about nine o’clock in the evening and the moon was coming up out of a clear starry sky over the houses opposite the station entrance.

a)

full of stars, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

b)

full of stars, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

full of stars, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

d)

full of stars, Verb: an action word

4.

The description of the egregious and abysmal weather in Bath (“the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks”) foreshadows (hints/clues) that a dangerous and violent atmosphere is about to come for Billy.

a)

True

b)

False

c)

Maybe

d)

Neither

5.

“Try The Bell and Dragon,” the porter answered Billy Weaver, pointing down the road." -CommonLit

a)

A person employed to carry luggage, Noun- a thing

b)

A person employed to carry luggage, Noun-an animal

c)

A person employed to carry luggage, Noun-a place

d)

A person employed to carry luggage, Noun- a person

6.

Billy Weaver wore a brown trilby hat.

a)

A soft felt hat with a narrow brim, Noun a person

b)

A soft felt hat with a narrow brim, Noun a place

c)

A soft felt hat with a narrow brim, Noun a thing

d)

A soft felt hat with a narrow brim, Noun an animal or idea

7.

"Billy Weaver walked briskly down the street to find lodging; it was already 9 p.m."

a)

moving slow: verb -an action word

b)

moving fast: verb -an action word

c)

moving slow: adverb, a word that ends in -ly and describes the action word walked (verb)

d)

moving fast: adverb, a word that ends in -ly and describes the action word walked (verb)

8.

A swanky residence is usually found in a swanky neighborhood.

a)

stylish and expensive (adjective-a word that describes a noun-person)

b)

stylish and expensive (adjective-a word that describes a noun-place)

c)

stylish and expensive (adjective-a word that describes a noun-animal)

d)

stylish and expensive (adjective-a word that describes a noun-idea)

9.

The Landlady's home had a handsome white swanky façade.

a)

the face of a building, Noun- person

b)

the face of a building, Noun- place/thing

c)

the face of a building, Noun- animal

d)

the face of a building, Noun- idea

10.

Billy caught sight of a printed notice propped up against the glass in one of the upper panes. It said BED AND BREAKFAST. There was a vase of yellow chrysanthemums, tall and beautiful, standing just underneath the notice.

a)

A leaflet flower, Adverb: the word ends in -ly and describes a verb

b)

A leaflet flower, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

A leaflet flower, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

A leaflet flower, Verb: an action word

11.

There was a vase of yellow chrysanthemums, tall and beautiful, standing just underneath the notice.

a)

flowers are NOT a good indication that it is probably a good home

b)

flowers are NOT a good indication that it is probably a bad home

c)

flowers are a good indication that it is probably NOT a good home

d)

flowers are a good indication that it is probably a good home

12.

On the carpet in front of the fire burning in the hearth, a pretty little dachshund was curled up asleep with its nose tucked into its belly.

a)

fireplace

b)

carpet

c)

pillow

d)

living room

13.

On the carpet in front of the fire burning in the hearth, a pretty little dachshund was curled up asleep with its nose tucked into its belly.

a)

A type of dog with short legs and a long body, Noun- thing, idea

b)

A type of dog with short legs and a long body, Noun- a person, place

c)

A type of dog with short legs and a long body, Noun- a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

A type of dog with short legs and a long body, verb- an action word

14.

In one corner, Billy spotted a large parrot in a cage. Animals were usually a good sign in a place like this, Billy told himself.

a)

Animals inside a home are a sign that it may be a dangerous home.

b)

Animals inside a home are usually a good sign that it is a safe home.

c)

Animals inside a home are NOT a sign of what goes on in a home.

d)

Animals inside a home are a bad sign that it is not a safe home.

15.

"The sign BED AND BREAKFAST on the pane conjured up images of watery cabbage, rapacious landladies, and a powerful smell of kippers in the living-room." -CommonLit

a)

chair- Noun, a thing

b)

door-Noun, a thing

c)

window glass-Noun, a thing

d)

table-Noun, a thing

16.

"The sign BED AND BREAKFAST on the pane conjured up images of watery cabbage, rapacious landladies, and a powerful smell of kippers in the living-room." -CommonLit

a)

b)

c)

d)

17.

"The sign BED AND BREAKFAST on the pane conjured up images of watery cabbage, rapacious landladies, and a powerful smell of kippers in the living-room." -CommonLit

a)

agressively greedy, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

agressively greedy, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

agressively greedy, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

agressively greedy, Verb: an action word

18.

"The sign BED AND BREAKFAST on the pane conjured up images of watery cabbage, rapacious landladies, and a powerful smell of kippers in the living-room." -CommonLit

a)

A woman who owns and rents land, buildings, or lodging rooms, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

A woman who owns and rents land, buildings, or lodging rooms, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

A woman who owns and rents land, buildings, or lodging rooms, Verb: an action word

d)

A woman who owns and rents land, buildings, or lodging rooms, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

19.

"The sign BED AND BREAKFAST on the pane conjured up images of watery cabbage, rapacious landladies, and a powerful smell of kippers in the living-room." -CommonLit

a)

b)

c)

d)

20.

Billy thought that a pub (a lodging with a bar) would be more congenial than a boarding-house.

a)

Pleasant and enjoyable, Noun: person, place, thing, animal, idea

b)

Pleasant and enjoyable, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

Pleasant and enjoyable, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

d)

Pleasant and enjoyable, Verb: an action word

21.

After dithering about the Bed and Breakfast in the cold for two or three minutes, Billy decided that he would walk on and take a look at The Bell and Dragon before making up his mind.

a)

indecisive; hard to decide, Noun- a person, place, thing, animal, or idea

b)

indecisive; hard to decide, Adverb- a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

indecisive; hard to decide, Adjective- a word that describes a noun

d)

indecisive; hard to decide, Verb- an action word

22.

Billy Weaver turned to go looking for The Bell and Dragon, but then a queer thing happened to him.

a)

happy (adjective) cheerful

b)

peculiar (adjective) unusual

c)

sad (adjective) not happy

d)

exciting (adjective) stimulating

23.

Billy was in the act of stepping back and turning away

from the window when all at once his eye was caught and held in the most peculiar manner by the small notice, Bed and Breakfast, that was there.

a)

happy (adjective) cheerful

b)

exciting (adjective) stimulating

c)

sad (adjective) not happy

d)

queer (adjective) unusual

24.

“Please come in,” the dame said pleasantly. She stepped aside, holding the door wide open, and Billy found himself automatically starting forward into the house."

a)

woman

b)

man

c)

the dog

d)

the parrot

25.

The dame was a like a Jack-in-the-box. Billy pressed the bell — and out the dame popped! It made Billy jump.

a)

Simile- comparing the landlady to a Jack-in-the-box toy using the words "like or as"

b)

Metaphor- comparing the landlady to a Jack-in-the-box toy NOT using the words "like or as"

26.

The dame was a Jack-in-the-box. Billy pressed the bell — and out the dame popped! It made Billy jump.

a)

Simile- comparing the landlady to a Jack-in-the-box toy using the words "like or as"

b)

Metaphor- comparing the landlady to a Jack-in-the-box toy NOT using the words "like or as"

27.

Five and sixpence a night, including breakfast.”

a)

United States American money

b)

United Kingdom of Great Britain money

c)

Juarez, Mexico money

d)

Japanese Money

28.

“Please come in,” the dame said pleasantly. She stepped aside, holding the door wide open, and Billy found himself automatically starting forward into the house. The compulsion or, more accurately, the desire to follow after her into that house was extraordinarily strong.

a)

the desire to do something that is irresistible, Verb-an action word

b)

the desire to do something that is irresistible, Noun-a person, place, thing, animal, or idea

c)

the desire to do something that is irresistible, Adjective-a word that describes a noun

d)

the desire to do something that is irresistible, Adverb-a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb, an action word

29.

"Billy took off his hat, and stepped over the threshold."

a)

Billy remained outside the house.

b)

Billy jumped inside the house.

c)

Billy fell inside the house.

d)

Billy walked inside the house.

30.

The old girl is slightly dotty, Billy told himself.

a)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Verb: an action

b)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

31.

Billy's landlady appeared to be slightly off her rocker, but Billy didn’t worry in the least. After all, she was not only harmless, she was also quite obviously a kind and generous soul.

a)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Verb: an action

b)

mad, dotty, insane, crazy, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

mad, off her rocker, insane, crazy, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

32.

"At a cheap price of five and sixpence a night, I should’ve thought you’d be simply swamped with applicants who want to rent,” Billy said politely.

a)

too busy, Verb: an action

b)

sleepy, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

people, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

33.

“I’m so glad you appeared,” the landlady said, looking earnestly into Billy's face. “I was beginning to get worried.”

a)

seriously, Verb: an action word

b)

seriously, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

seriously, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

seriously, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

34.

The landlady was holding a large silver tea-tray in her hands well out in front of her, and rather high up, as though the tray were a pair of reins on a frisky horse.

a)

playful and full of energy, Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

b)

playful and full of energy, Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

c)

playful and full of energy, Adjective: a word that describes a noun

d)

playful and full of energy, Verb: an action word

35.

“Dear me,” she said, shaking her head and heaving (giving) a dainty little sigh. “I would never have thought it. How time does fly away from us all, doesn’t it, Mr Wilkins?”

a)

delicate; Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

b)

delicate; Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

delicate; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

delicate; Verb: an action word

36.

“I’m almost positive both of these names, Mulholland and Temple, were in the newspapers,” Billy said. “I’ll think of it in a second. I’m sure I will.” There is nothing more tantalizing than a thing like this which lingers just outside the borders of one’s memory. He hated to give up.

a)

tormenting or teasing; Adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

tormenting or teasing; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, or idea

c)

tormenting or teasing; Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes an action word (verb)

d)

tormenting or teasing; Verb: an action word

37.

He found the guest-book lying open on the piano, so he took out his pen and wrote down his name and address.

a)

a book where people sign in to record they are customers; Adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

a book where people sign in to record they are customers; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, or idea

c)

a book where people sign in to record they are customers; Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes an action word (verb)

d)

a book where people sign in to record they are customers; Verb: an action word

38.

Now and again, Billy caught a whiff (a small odor) of a peculiar smell that seemed to emanate directly from her person.

a)

to spread out from; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

b)

to spread out from; Adjective: a word that describes a noun (a person, place, thing, animal, idea

c)

to spread out from; Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes an action word (verb)

d)

to spread out from; Verb: an action word

39.

“Oh, you're 17, that's the perfect age! Mr Mulholland was also seventeen. But I think he was a trifle shorter than you are.

a)

means to a small degree; Mr. Mulholland was older than Billy

b)

means to a small degree; Mr. Mulholland was a little bit younger than Billy

c)

means to a small degree; Mr. Mulholland was the same age as Billy

d)

means to a small degree; Mr. Mulholland was much older than Billy

40.

"You have the most beautiful teeth, Mr Weaver," said the landlady. “They’re not as good as they look,” Billy replied. “They’ve got simply masses of fillings in them at the back.”

a)

something used to fill a cavity; Noun, a person

b)

something used to fill a cavity; Noun, a place

c)

something used to fill a cavity; Noun, a thing

d)

something used to fill a cavity; Noun, an idea

41.

Billy picked up his teacup and took another sip of his tea, then he set it down again gently in its saucer. He waited for the landlady to say something else, but she seemed to have lapsed into another of her silences.

a)

to revert/go back to a previous state or behavior; Adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

to revert/go back to a previous state or behavior; Adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb

c)

to revert/go back to a previous state or behavior; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

d)

to revert/go back to a previous state or behavior; Verb: an action word

42.

“That parrot,” Billy said at last. “You know something? It had me completely fooled when I first saw it through the window from the street. I could have sworn it was alive.” “Alas, no longer.” “It’s most terribly clever the way it’s been done,” he said. “It doesn’t look in the least bit dead. Who did it?”

a)

an expression of grief or pity; Noun: a person, place, thing, animal, idea

b)

an expression of grief or pity; Adjective: a word that describes a noun

c)

an expression of grief or pity; Verb: an action word

d)

an expression of grief or pity; Interjection: A word showing emotion

43.

Billy said that he could have sworn the parrot was alive when he first saw it through the window (before ringing the doorbell). He said, “Alas, no longer.” “It’s most terribly clever the way it’s been done. It doesn’t look in the least bit dead. Who did it?”

a)

Oxymoron: contrary signification, clever but horrible

b)

Simile: a comparison of two things using the words "like" or "as"

c)

Metaphor: a comparison of two things NOT using the words "like" or "as"

44.

a cup and a saucer (a small plate)

a)

Nouns: people

b)

Nouns: places

c)

Nouns: things

d)

Nouns: animals or ideas

45.

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

a)

in a lightly manner; adjective: a word that describes a noun

b)

in a lightly manner; noun: a person, place, thing, animal, or idea

c)

in a lightly manner; verb: an action word

d)

in a lightly manner; adverb: a word that ends in -ly and describes a verb (an action word)

46.

The tea tasted faintly of bitter almonds, and Billy didn’t much care for it. The phrase "bitter almonds" is an indication that something contains a deadly poison called cyanide.

a)

noun: a person

b)

noun: a place

c)

noun: a thing

d)

noun: an animal, or idea