Vocabulary
What does immobile mean in the passage?
Not moveable
What happens when German planes attack in paragraph 18?
The British formation breaks apart
Who is telling the story?
Roald Dahl (First Person)
What can you infer about Dahl when he stayed until his ammunition was gone?
He was brave and committed to the battle.
What theme is revealed through Dahl’s experience?
Courage under extreme danger.
In the glossary, what does soggy controls mean?
The plane was tough to navigate
What is the climax of the story?
The intense dogfight where Dahl fights until out of ammunition.
Why does Dahl include technical details about the Hurricane plane?
To help the reader understand the difficulty of flying it.
What can we infer from Dahl’s sweaty, shaking hands?
The battle was terrifying and physically overwhelming.
What theme is shown when Dahl describes flowers and sunshine after the battle?
Appreciation for life after near-death.
Define converge as used in describing the bullets.
Come together
What happens after Dahl lands at Elevsis?
He realizes how lucky he is to be alive and notices sweat pouring off him.
What tone does Dahl use when describing his landing?
Relieved and reflective.
Why does Dahl say “probably saved quite a number of our skins” about the German planes?
Because the Germans had so many planes, they sometimes got in each other’s way.
What writing strategy does Dahl use to create emotional intensity?
Descriptive language and figurative comparisons.
What does fortunate mean when Dahl lands safely?
Lucky
What does the rigger say when he sees Dahl’s plane?
“This kite’s got so many ’oles in it, it looks like it’s made out of chicken-wire!”
How does Dahl show his personal perspective compared to a neutral report?
He uses emotion, imagery, and figurative language to describe fear and intensity.
What can we infer about the other pilots when Dahl compares himself to them?
They were just as shaken and frightened as he was.
Write one sentence using the RACE strategy: “How does Dahl show emotional intensity?”
Example: Dahl shows emotional intensity by describing his plane as “the fiery furnace,” which reveals his fear and survival.
Which word best describes Dahl’s “reflector-sight glowing brightly”—literal or figurative?
Literal
What event serves as the resolution of the narrative?
Dahl survives, reflects on his experience, and compares himself to the other pilots.
What effect does first-person narration have on the reader?
It immerses the reader in Dahl’s fear, bravery, and experience.
What can you infer about Dahl’s attitude toward danger after this battle?
He accepts fear but shows resilience and determination to keep flying.
Summarize Dahl’s entire experience in one theme statement.
Example: Even in the chaos of war, human resilience and luck can mean survival.