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Matilda by Roald DahlAge 7-11Reasons for selection and synopsisMatilda's parents have called her some terrible things, but thetruth is she's a genius and they're the stupid ones. UnderestimatingMatilda proves to be a big mistake as they, along with her spitefulheadmistress, Miss Trunchbull, soon find out when Matildadiscovers she has a very special power.Roald Dahl? Enough said.Before reading Ask the children to look at the front cover. What do you think thebook will be about? What things can you see on the front cover?What sort of story will it be? Who might enjoy it?Now read the blurb – were any of your predictions correct?What does it mean when something is infinite? Would you enjoyinfinite lives?The following questions are designed asprompts only – allow the children to come upwith their own questions and ideas. They willbe much more engaged this way!

The Reader Of BooksVocabularyWhy do you think Dahl uses the word blister to describe somechildren? What does he mean by this?Define adoration.How would a nimble mind work?Define hankering.InferHow can you tell the Wormwoods don’t care for Matilda?Why won’t Mr Wormwood buy Matilda a book?Why would Mrs Phelps have been taken aback by Matilda?Why does Mrs Phelps keep asking Matilda about pictures?Why does Matilda start going to the library less?PredictPredict what else might happen to Matilda in this story.ExplainWhat is Dahl trying to say in the first three paragraphs?How does Dahl make it funny?RetrieveWho does Dahl say bears the most brunt of parental adoration?What are Matilda’s parents called?Where did Matilda go for books?What book does Mrs Phelps give to Matilda?How does Matilda make hot chocolate?Summarise Choose one word to describe Matilda and explain your choice.Do the same for Mrs Phelps.

Mr Wormwood, The Great Car DealerVocabularyWhat is a car dealer?Define dishonest.What do you think jug might be?Define ‘resented’. What synonyms can you think of for this word?InferHow much money do you think the Wormwoods have? Whatmakes you think this?How can you tell Mr Wormwood likes Mike more than Matilda?Why do red spots appear on Mr Wormwood’s cheeks?PredictPredict what Matilda will do to her father?ExplainHow does the author side you against Mr Wormwood?RetrieveWhat is Mr Wormwood’s job?What does Mr Wormwood use sawdust for?Why won’t Mr Wormwood let Matilda eat her dinner in the diningroom?Summarise Summarise the character of Mr Wormwood in one word andexplain your choice of word.

The Hat and the SuperglueVocabularyWhy do you think Matilda describes the garage as beastly?Define ‘spluttered’.InferWhy did Matilda have to time putting the glue on perfectly?Why do you think Mr Wormwood stayed very silent?PredictPredict what might happen based on the title of this chapter.Predict what else Matilda might do to her family.ExplainDo you feel sorry for Mr Wormwood in this chapter? Why?RetrieveWhy did Matilda need to stand on her toes?Why did Mr Wormwood keep the hat on all day?What was the worst thing about a hat glued permanently to yourhead?Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than thirty words.

The GhostVocabularyDefine ‘comparative calm’.Define ‘chastened’.What does subtle mean?InferWhy do you think Matilda continuing to read annoyed MrWormwood?Why doesn’t Matilda cry or sulk?Why does Matilda hide Chopper up the chimney?Why does Harry’s face turn grey?PredictWhat might happen in this chapter based on the name?Predict what Matilda will do with the parrot.ExplainHow did you feel when Mr Wormwood tore up the book?RetrieveHow could the family tell Mr Wormwood was in a bad mood?What is Matilda reading?What does Mr Wormwood do to the book?Summarise Summarise Matilda’s plan in less than twenty words.

ArithmeticVocabularyWhat does it mean if you put up with something?Define ‘obliged’.What does it mean if your clothes are loud?What is profit?InferWhy do you think Matilda’s parents would settle down after aprank?Why does Matilda’s dad assume she’s cheating?PredictWhat will happen next in the story?ExplainWhat does this chapter tell you about Matilda?RetrieveHow old is Matilda now?Why does Mr Wormwood get Mike to do maths?How old is Mike?Summarise Summarise Harry’s reaction in less than ten words.

The Platinum-Blond ManVocabularyWhat is foulness?Define ‘smothered’.InferWhy did Matilda leave some of her father’s tonic in the bottle?Why didn’t Matilda look at Harry?Why is Mrs Wormwood screaming at Harry?PredictPredict what might happen from the title of the chapter.ExplainHow does the author build tension at the start of this chapter?RetrieveWhy did Mrs Wormwood freshen her hair dye?How did Matilda get her dad to dye his hair?How did Mrs Wormwood react?What does Matilda suggest happened? Why do you think shedoes this?Summarise Summarise this chapter in one word and explain your choice.

Miss HoneyVocabularyDefine formidable.Define tangible.Define quivery and explain why Miss Honey felt this way.What does ‘reluctantly’ mean?InferWhy do you think Matilda was put in the bottom class?Why do you think Miss Honey starts to polish her spectacles?Why does Miss Honey lie to Lavender?Do you think Miss Honey is a good teacher?PredictWho might Miss Honey be?ExplainDo you think Matilda was at a disadvantage to start school late?How does the author juxtapose Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull?RetrieveWhy did Matilda start school late?How old was she when she started?What was the name of the school?How does Matilda first impress Miss Honey?Summarise Sum up Miss Honey in one word.

The TrunchbullVocabularyWhat is an interval?Define formidable.Define obstinate.Define resolutely.InferWhy was it strange that Miss Trunchbull got her job?Why is Miss Trunchbull pleased with Mr Wormwood? Is she right tobe?What does Miss Trunchbull think Miss Honey is trying to do withMatilda?PredictPredict why Miss Honey is going to Miss Trunchbull’s office.Predict what Miss Honey will do about Matilda.ExplainHow did this chapter make you feel? Why?RetrieveDraw Miss Trunchbull from the description given.What had Miss Trunchbull been told about Matilda?Summarise Summarise Miss Honey’s thoughts at the end of this chapter inless than twenty words.

The ParentsVocabularyWhat does it mean if someone is stuck up?Define ‘presumed’.What is ‘simpering sloppiness’?InferDo you think it’s a good idea for Miss Honey to go and see theWormwoods? Why?What does Mr Wormwood assume Miss Honey is there for andwhy?How does Miss Honey shock Mr Wormwood?PredictWhose parents might this chapter be about?ExplainHow do you think Miss Honey felt during this chapter? Why?Do you agree with Miss Wormwood’s views on what womenshould do? Why?RetrieveWhat does Miss Honey get for Matilda?What time does Miss Honey decide to call on the Wormwoodsand why?Why isn’t Mrs Wormwood paying much attention?Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than twenty words.

Throwing The HammerVocabularyWhat is throwing the hammer?Define regale.What does it mean if something is commonplace?Define enthralled.InferTrue or false: Matilda is humble?How can you tell all the children on the yard were fearful of theTrunchbull?Why don’t parents complain about the Trunchbull?PredictWhen the Trunchbull turns up, predict what will happen.ExplainDo you think Miss Trunchbull should be a headteacher? Why?RetrieveWhy was it easy for Matilda to make friends?Who is Matilda’s best friend?What is the chokey?Who told on Hortensia?Which hairstyle can Miss Trunchbull not stand?Summarise Sum up Miss Trunchbull in one word and explain your choice.

Bruce Bogtrotter and the CakeVocabularyWhat is a riding crop?Define ‘exceedingly wary’. Why was Bruce acting this way?Define ‘gingerly’.InferWhat does Matilda think is the Tunchbull’s secret to getting awaywith her nastiness?Why do you think Bruce initially didn’t want to taste the cake?How does the mood of the audience change?PredictPredict why Miss Trunchbull has called assembly?ExplainWhy do you think Dahl chose the name Bruce Bogtrotter?Do you think this was a good punishment? Why?How did you feel when Bruce finished the cake?RetrieveHow old is Bruce?Why is Trunchbull furious with Bruce?How big was the cake?How does Miss Trunchbull punish Bruce when he finishes thecake?Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than 200 words by writing about itfor the school newspaper.

LavenderVocabularyWhy are the faces ‘eager’?What is a custom?What does it mean to mull something over?InferWhy do you think Lavender volunteers to be on water duty?And what was the actual reason?Why doesn’t Lavender tell anyone about the newt?PredictPredict what Lavender intends to do with the newt?Predict how Miss Trunchbull will react.ExplainDo you like Lavender? Why?RetrieveWhen will Miss Trunchbull be teaching the class?What does Miss Honey think they will be tested on?What does Lavender catch from her pond?Summarise Summarise the character of Lavender in one word and explainyour choice.

The Weekly TestVocabularyWhat does the word ‘barked’ tell you?Define nauseating.What does ‘dripping in sarcasm’ mean?What is foolish abandon?What does Miss Trunchbull mean when she describes Miss Honeyas wet?InferWhy do you think Miss Honey checked the water?Why do you think Miss Trunchbull wouldn’t want Nigel’s father tobe her doctor?True or false: Miss Trunchbull respects Miss Honey?Describe Miss Trunchbull’s teaching method.PredictPredict what will happen in this chapter.ExplainDo you think Miss Trunchbull sounds like a good teacher? Why?RetrieveWhat does Miss Trunchbull say she’ll have to do a lot to thechildren?Who didn’t wash their hands?How does Miss Trunchbull punish Nigel?What word did Nigel say everyone could spell?What does Miss Trunchbull do when Nigel doesn’t know theanswer?What book does Matilda profess to reading to Miss Trunchbull?How has Miss Trunchbull’s opinion of Mr Wormwood changedand why?Summarise Summarise Miss Trunchbull’s teaching style in less than twentywords.

The First MiracleVocabularyWhat is ‘the bane of someone’s life’? What does that mean?What is a blancmange?InferWhy did Miss Trunchbull yell and leap?Why does Lavender tell Miss Trunchbull that she bets it bites?Why do you think Miss Trunchbull blames Matilda?How do you think Matilda made the glass tip?Why does Miss Trunchbull storm out?PredictPredict what the miracle might be.ExplainIn this chapter Matilda screams at Miss Trunchbull. Is this out ofcharacter? What makes you say this?RetrieveWhat is Miss Trunchbull’s idea of a perfect school?Who does Miss Trunchbull blame?What does Matilda do to the glass?Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than twenty-fivewords.

The Second MiracleVocabularyDefine astounding.Define exalted.What does it mean if you will something to happen?InferWhy did Matilda stay at her desk?Why do you think Miss Honey doesn’t initially believe Matilda?What does Matilda mean when she says she was flying past thestars on silver wings?PredictPredict if Miss Honey will believe Matilda.Predict if Matilda can do it again.ExplainWould you believe Matilda? Why?RetrieveWhy does Matilda think she might get expelled?How did Miss Honey react when the glass tipped?Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than thirty words.

Miss Honey’s CottageVocabularyWhat does it mean to become animated?Define divine.Define phenomenon.What does ‘profoundly moved’ mean?InferWhy does Miss Honey want Matilda to be careful?What does Miss Honey think might be the cause of Matilda’spowers?How can you tell Miss Honey doesn’t have much money?PredictPredict what the relevance of Miss Honey’s cottage might be.Predict how strong Matilda’s powers are.ExplainHow does this chapter make you feel about Miss Honey? Why?RetrieveWhat did Matilda and Miss Honey pass?Which season is it?Where does Miss Honey live?Draw Miss Honey’s house.What do Matilda and Miss Honey eat?Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than forty words.