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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. What does Mr. Wormwood think his workers think he is trying emulate by keeping his hat on his head all day?

2. What kind of glue does Matilda put in her father's hat to stick it his head?

3. What event did Miss Trunchbull compete in at the Olympics?

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

5. Why does Miss Trunchbull believe Matilda is a difficult child?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Mrs. Wormwood.

3. How does Mr. Wormwood react at work when he realizes he can't remove his hat?

4. How does Mr. Wormwood cheat his customers?

5. Describe Miss Honey.

6. How does Miss Honey react to Matilda's brilliance in this section?

7. How does Matilda get back at her whole family in this section?

8. How are Matilda's parents different to most parents?

9. How does Mr. Wormwood upset Matilda in this chapter?

10. Describe Mr. Wormwood.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Matilda's character to the person she was at the beginning of the book to the she is at the end.

1. What did Matilda hope to achieve at the beginning of the book?

2. What events changes Matilda ideas about life?

3. How has Matilda's character changed by the end of the book?

Essay Topic 2

Apart from the main character, examine the way the author uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

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 895 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample