Matilda by Roald Dahl

Age 7-11

Reasons for selection and synopsis

Matilda's parents have called her some terrible things, but the truth is she's a genius and they're the stupid ones. Underestimating Matilda proves to be a big mistake as they, along with her spiteful headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, soon find out when Matilda discovers 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 the book 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 enjoy infinite lives?

The following questions are designed as prompts only – allow the children to come up with their own questions and ideas. They will be much more engaged this way!

The Reader Of Books

Vocabulary Why do you think Dahl uses the word blister to describe some children? What does he mean by this?

Define adoration.

How would a nimble mind work?

Define hankering.

Infer How 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?

Predict Predict what else might happen to Matilda in this story.

Explain What is Dahl trying to say in the first three paragraphs?

How does Dahl make it funny?

Retrieve Who 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 Dealer

Vocabulary What is a car dealer?

Define dishonest.

What do you think jug might be?

Define ‘resented’. What synonyms can you think of for this word?

Infer How much money do you think the Wormwoods have? What makes you think this?

How can you tell Mr Wormwood likes Mike more than Matilda?

Why do red spots appear on Mr Wormwood’s cheeks?

Predict Predict what Matilda will do to her father?

Explain How does the author side you against Mr Wormwood?

Retrieve What is Mr Wormwood’s job?

What does Mr Wormwood use sawdust for?

Why won’t Mr Wormwood let Matilda eat her dinner in the dining room?

Summarise Summarise the character of Mr Wormwood in one word and explain your choice of word.

The Hat and the Superglue

Vocabulary Why do you think Matilda describes the garage as beastly?

Define ‘spluttered’.

Infer Why did Matilda have to time putting the glue on perfectly?

Why do you think Mr Wormwood stayed very silent?

Predict Predict what might happen based on the title of this chapter.

Predict what else Matilda might do to her family.

Explain Do you feel sorry for Mr Wormwood in this chapter? Why?

Retrieve Why 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 your head?

Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than thirty words.

The Ghost

Vocabulary Define ‘comparative calm’.

Define ‘chastened’.

What does subtle mean?

Infer Why do you think Matilda continuing to read annoyed Mr Wormwood?

Why doesn’t Matilda cry or sulk?

Why does Matilda hide Chopper up the chimney?

Why does Harry’s face turn grey?

Predict What might happen in this chapter based on the name?

Predict what Matilda will do with the parrot.

Explain How did you feel when Mr Wormwood tore up the book?

Retrieve How 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.

Arithmetic

Vocabulary What does it mean if you put up with something?

Define ‘obliged’.

What does it mean if your clothes are loud?

What is profit?

Infer Why do you think Matilda’s parents would settle down after a prank?

Why does Matilda’s dad assume she’s cheating?

Predict What will happen next in the story?

Explain What does this chapter tell you about Matilda?

Retrieve How 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 Man

Vocabulary What is foulness?

Define ‘smothered’.

Infer Why 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?

Predict Predict what might happen from the title of the chapter.

Explain How does the author build tension at the start of this chapter?

Retrieve Why 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 she does this?

Summarise Summarise this chapter in one word and explain your choice.

Miss Honey

Vocabulary Define formidable.

Define tangible.

Define quivery and explain why Miss Honey felt this way.

What does ‘reluctantly’ mean?

Infer Why 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?

Predict Who might Miss Honey be?

Explain Do you think Matilda was at a disadvantage to start school late?

How does the author juxtapose Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull?

Retrieve Why 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 Trunchbull

Vocabulary What is an interval?

Define formidable.

Define obstinate.

Define resolutely.

Infer Why was it strange that Miss Trunchbull got her job?

Why is Miss Trunchbull pleased with Mr Wormwood? Is she right to be?

What does Miss Trunchbull think Miss Honey is trying to do with Matilda?

Predict Predict why Miss Honey is going to Miss Trunchbull’s office.

Predict what Miss Honey will do about Matilda.

Explain How did this chapter make you feel? Why?

Retrieve Draw 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 in less than twenty words.

The Parents

Vocabulary What does it mean if someone is stuck up?

Define ‘presumed’.

What is ‘simpering sloppiness’?

Infer Do you think it’s a good idea for Miss Honey to go and see the Wormwoods? Why?

What does Mr Wormwood assume Miss Honey is there for and why?

How does Miss Honey shock Mr Wormwood?

Predict Whose parents might this chapter be about?

Explain How do you think Miss Honey felt during this chapter? Why?

Do you agree with Miss Wormwood’s views on what women should do? Why?

Retrieve What does Miss Honey get for Matilda?

What time does Miss Honey decide to call on the Wormwoods and why?

Why isn’t Mrs Wormwood paying much attention?

Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than twenty words.

Throwing The Hammer

Vocabulary What is throwing the hammer?

Define regale.

What does it mean if something is commonplace?

Define enthralled.

Infer True or false: Matilda is humble?

How can you tell all the children on the yard were fearful of the Trunchbull?

Why don’t parents complain about the Trunchbull?

Predict When the Trunchbull turns up, predict what will happen.

Explain Do you think Miss Trunchbull should be a headteacher? Why?

Retrieve Why 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 Cake

Vocabulary What is a riding crop?

Define ‘exceedingly wary’. Why was Bruce acting this way?

Define ‘gingerly’.

Infer What does Matilda think is the Tunchbull’s secret to getting away with her nastiness?

Why do you think Bruce initially didn’t want to taste the cake?

How does the mood of the audience change?

Predict Predict why Miss Trunchbull has called assembly?

Explain Why 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?

Retrieve How old is Bruce?

Why is Trunchbull furious with Bruce?

How big was the cake?

How does Miss Trunchbull punish Bruce when he finishes the cake?

Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than 200 words by writing about it for the school newspaper.

Lavender

Vocabulary Why are the faces ‘eager’?

What is a custom?

What does it mean to mull something over?

Infer Why 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?

Predict Predict what Lavender intends to do with the newt?

Predict how Miss Trunchbull will react.

Explain Do you like Lavender? Why?

Retrieve When 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 explain your choice.

The Weekly Test

Vocabulary What 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 Honey as wet?

Infer Why do you think Miss Honey checked the water?

Why do you think Miss Trunchbull wouldn’t want Nigel’s father to be her doctor?

True or false: Miss Trunchbull respects Miss Honey?

Describe Miss Trunchbull’s teaching method.

Predict Predict what will happen in this chapter.

Explain Do you think Miss Trunchbull sounds like a good teacher? Why?

Retrieve What does Miss Trunchbull say she’ll have to do a lot to the children?

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 the answer?

What book does Matilda profess to reading to Miss Trunchbull?

How has Miss Trunchbull’s opinion of Mr Wormwood changed and why?

Summarise Summarise Miss Trunchbull’s teaching style in less than twenty words.

The First Miracle

Vocabulary What is ‘the bane of someone’s life’? What does that mean?

What is a blancmange?

Infer Why 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?

Predict Predict what the miracle might be.

Explain In this chapter Matilda screams at Miss Trunchbull. Is this out of character? What makes you say this?

Retrieve What 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-five words.

The Second Miracle

Vocabulary Define astounding.

Define exalted.

What does it mean if you will something to happen?

Infer Why 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 the stars on silver wings?

Predict Predict if Miss Honey will believe Matilda.

Predict if Matilda can do it again.

Explain Would you believe Matilda? Why?

Retrieve Why 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 Cottage

Vocabulary What does it mean to become animated?

Define divine.

Define phenomenon.

What does ‘profoundly moved’ mean?

Infer Why does Miss Honey want Matilda to be careful?

What does Miss Honey think might be the cause of Matilda’s powers?

How can you tell Miss Honey doesn’t have much money?

Predict Predict what the relevance of Miss Honey’s cottage might be.

Predict how strong Matilda’s powers are.

Explain How does this chapter make you feel about Miss Honey? Why?

Retrieve What 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.

Miss Honey’s Story

Vocabulary What is an exception?

Define ‘dominated’.

Infer Why did the atmosphere in the room change?

How did Matilda think Miss Honey was thinking?

Why do Miss Honey’s hands tremble?

Why do you think Miss Honey didn’t cry in front of her aunt?

Predict Predict how Matilda will react to the news.

Explain How does this chapter make you feel about Miss Honey?

How did you feel when you found out Miss Trunchbull is Miss Honey’s aunt?

Retrieve Why does Miss Honey believe Matilda is not like a normal child?

How old is Miss Honey?

How did Miss Honey get her house?

Summarise Summarise your feelings at the end of this chapter in less than ten words.

The Names

Vocabulary Define cautious.

Infer Why do you think Miss Honey only wanted to do cautious experiments?

Do you think Matilda really did love the tea?

Predict Predict Matilda’s three questions.

Explain What is the effect of this short chapter?

Retrieve What did Miss Trunchbull do if she thought Miss Honey hadn’t washed properly?

Summarise Summarise this chapter in one word and explain your choice of word.

The Practice Vocabulary Define essential.

What does vital mean?

Find a phrase that shows that Matilda had to put in a vast amount of work to lift the cigar.

Infer Would Matilda have been shocked the house was empty? Why?

Why do you think Matilda was exhausted?

Predict Predict what Matilda is going to do.

Explain How does Dahl use italics in this chapter?

Retrieve What did Matilda practise on?

Summarise Sum up Matilda’s efforts in less than ten words.

The Third Miracle

Vocabulary What is a ‘smart-aleck’?

Define impertinent.

Define stagnant.

Define prostrate.

Infer Why does Miss Honey warn all the children to be on their best behaviour?

Do you think it was fair that Miss Trunchbull asked for the threes to be recited backwards?

What happens to Miss Trunchbull?

Predict Predict how the story will end?

Explain What do you think Matilda wrote? Why?

Retrieve Why was it relevant that it was Thursday?

What happened to Eric’s ears?

Why does Nigel jump up and start shouting?

What does Nigel do with the jug of water?

Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than twenty-five words.

A New Home

Vocabulary What is a will and testament?

What is climate?

Infer Why do you think Miss Trunchbull disappeared?

Why can’t Matilda move things any more?

Why doesn’t Matilda want to go with the Wormwoods?

Predict Predict the end of the story.

Predict what will happen when Matilda finds out they’re going to Spain.

Explain How did the last chapter make you feel?

Retrieve How did Miss Honey get The Red House?

Which class did Matilda move into?

Where are the Wormwoods going?

Summarise Summarise the whole story in less than 100 words.