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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Matilda's father think it doesn't matter if you can do math or not?

2. What was Mr. Wormwood's face as dark as when he arrives back from work in the Ghost chapter?

3. What is the name of Matilda's new school?

4. What does Matilda's father do when Matilda tells him he would enjoy her book?

5. How does Matilda's father get the hat off of his head?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miss Honey make sure she doesn't single Matilda out?

2. What does Dahl say parents usually think of their children?

3. How do Matilda"s parents treat her brother differently to how they treat her?

4. Describe Mr. Wormwood.

5. How does Mr. Wormwood cheat his customers?

6. How does Matilda's father anger her in this section?

7. How does Matilda avenge her father in this section?

8. How does Miss Trunchbull react when she sees a little girl with pigtails?

9. What reasons are there for Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood's dislike of his daughter?

10. How does Miss Honey feel when she leaves Matilda's parents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the differences in structure between a children's book and an adult's book? In what way could the themes of "Matilda" be adapted to an adult's novel?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the book and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

Essay Topic 3

In what way is Matilda's situation at the beginning of the book serious and traumatic? Despite the serious subject matter, how does Dahl keep the book lighthearted? What statement does the story make about difficult childhoods?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample