Characterization
How old was Dahl when he went to boarding school?
9
What is a tuck-box?
A small trunk used to store snacks and personal treasures.
What was painted on Dahl's trunk and tuck-box?
R. DAHL.
How did Dahl feel while riding on the paddle-steamer?
He enjoyed it.
The author says the paddle wheels "sloshed and churned" through the water. What does this mean?
What detail shows that Dahl's mother wanted him to stay as close to home as possible?
She chose a school that was as near as possible to their home in South Wales.
What does "apprehensive" most nearly mean?
Nervous or worried.
What unusual pet did one boy keep in his tuck-box?
A frog.
How did Dahl begin to feel when he arrived in Weston-super-Mare?
Apprehensive, nervous, or worried.
The Headmaster's grin is compared to a shark's grin. What does this mean?
He is intimidating and seems threatening.
What can readers infer about Dahl from the fact that he noticed so many details about his clothing, trunk, and tuck-box?
He was observant and aware that this was an important moment in his life.
What does "ravenous" mean?
Extremely hungry.
Approximately how many boys attended St. Peter's?
About 150 boys.
Why was Dahl nervous about boarding school?
He had never spent a night away from his family before.
The author's description that the Headmaster's hair "glistened like butter". What does that mean?
It's shiny or greasy
What character trait does Dahl show by traveling to a new boarding school even though he was nervous?
What is bravery/courage?
What does "pry" mean as used in the story?
To look into something that is private.
What did Dahl notice about the Headmaster's tooth?
One of his front teeth was edged with gold.
How did the Headmaster make Dahl feel?
Intimidated, scared, or uncomfortable.
Why does Dahl use exaggerated descriptions of the Headmaster?
To show that from a child's perspective, he is scary.
What do Dahl's descriptions of the Headmaster reveal about how Dahl viewed him?
Dahl viewed the Headmaster as intimidating, frightening, and unfriendly.
What does "disembarked" mean?
Got off a boat.
What theme is developing in this passage?
Facing new experiences can be exciting but also frightening.
What evidence shows Dahl was overwhelmed at the end of the passage?
He began to cry.
Why did the Headmaster encourage parents to send food parcels?
The school provided very little food, so parents were encouraged to send treats from home.