Biography
When and where was Roald Dahl born?
He was born in 1916 in Cardiff, Wales.
Provide a synonym for wrong.
Incorrect, mistaken.
What's the meaning of borrow?
To take something with you to return it later.
Who was Mrs. Phelps?
The librarian.
What is so special about Matilda?
She is sensitive and has superpowers. She is very smart for her age.
What happened to him in 1940?
He crash landed his aircraft in the Libyan desert whilst fighting as a fighter pilot in WW2.
Provide a synonym for shout.
Scream, cry out.
What's the meaning of alone?
On your own, without company.
According to the novel, who suffers a lot from having to listen to proud parents?
Teachers.
Who stayed with Matilda at home every afternoon?
No one. She was all alone.
What was "The Great Mouse Plot"?
Roald and his friends placed a dead mouse in a candy jar at the local candy shop and got in big trouble for it.
Provide a synonym from gormless.
Silly, stupid.
What's the meaning of stinkers?
Stupid people.
What makes some parents blinded to their children's lack of ability?
Their love and adoration for them.
Why does the writer speak about Matilda as "nothing more than a scab"?
Because her family felt they had to put up with her until they could flick her away (send her away)
What do people believe inspired him to write Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
When he was in boarding school, he and his schoolmates were used by Cadbury to taste an rate new products before they went to market.
Provide a synonym for grown-ups.
adults
What's the meaning of scorchers?
Severe and ironic comments to hurt people's feelings.
Who wrote the book about which Matilda didn't understand things about men and women?
Hemingway.
What was Matilda's favourite book in the children's section?
The Secret Garden.
How did he get introduced into writing as a career?
After recovering from his plane crash, he met a British novelist named C.S Forester who encouraged him to publish a short story about his experience as a fighter pilot in "The Saturday Evening Post"
Provide a synonym for astounded.
Amazed, very surprised.
What's the meaning of above all?
Most importantly.
Who did Matilda 'travel' with and where did she go? How did she do this?
Olden-day sailing trips with Joseph Conrad. Africa with Ernest Hemingway and India with Rudyard Kipling. By reading books.
What are Bovril and Ovaltine?
Brand names of food or drinks that Matilda made in the afternoon while she was reading.