"Boy" - Part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harald

Harald Dahl was the father of Roald Dahl and only had one arm for a part of his life. After falling from a rooftop, a tipsy doctor attempted to help but worsened the problem (bone was sticking out). This was before Roald was born but he was able to witness the repercussions as Harold tied his shoes with one hand and was in the possession of an ingenious tool which could be used as a knife and a fork.

He became very successful with his business partner and became a collector of fine furniture. However, when his favourite daughter fell ill at the age of seven and eventually died he lost the will to live.

He himself fell ill soon after and when he had to fight to stay alive gave up in the hope of rejoining his daughter.

Answer: 1922

Roald Dahl says that he has barely any memory of kindergarten and that is why this information box is depressingly short. He cannot even visualise his carers at kindergarten.

Answer: 12

When Dahl was riding to school on his tricycle (3 wheels, more stable) he witnessed a senior boy whizzing down the hill at high speeds. Dahl vividly remembers this because he formed an aspiration to one day be like this boy. He was astonished at the way the boy could ride with no hands on the handlebars (behind his head) and also the way that he pedalled backwards to create a "most fantastic whirring sound".

Answer: Mouse

The Great Plot or "Great Mouse Plot" was a plan envisaged by Dahl and carried out by his friends. Whenever they had some money, Dahl, Thwaites and three others would always go to the sweet shop. The owner was Mrs. Pratchett who was a gruesome woman who never washed her hands before touching the sweets.

The band of friends had always wanted to get back at her for these vile acts and the perfect opportunity came when Dahl found a dead mouse under a floorboard in his classroom. The plot was to plant the dead mouse in the jar of gobstoppers so that Mrs. Paratchett would get a huge fright when she picked it out.

The plan succeeded but Dahl was soon shot with guilt as the shop remained closed for several days. Thwaites, the son of a doctor, convinced Dahl that he had killed her but he later discovered he hadn't when she gave him the cane.

Answer: Policemen

Dahl finds headmasters frightening because they are so imposing and have the power to beat you with the cane. Also, he finds policemen frightening because of their dominance and commanding position in society.

Answer: 4

After Thwaites and the other three boys have received their strokes, Dahl steps up. He goes on to describe how Mr. Coombes had perfect timing and accuracy when it came to caning. Dahl tells of how he would let the first stroke sink in before delivering another in exactly the same spot. All the while Mrs Pratchett, the sweet shop owner would cackle in the corner saying things like "'arder 'eadmaster" and "much obliged".

Answer: Ancient half-brother

Throughout Dahl's childhood, he and his family visited Norway for their summer holiday every year. It was an experience that Dahl enjoyed and he describes how they used to travel from island to island looking for good places to swim and sunbathe. He tells of how they originally had a rowing boat in which their mother guided them through some perilous journeys.

However, as he got older they hired a motor boat and his ancient half-brother (from his father's first wife) was the only one who could get the engine running.

Answer: Idyllic

Dahl felt that there was no better way to spend his summer holidays that drifting around the islands of Norway. There are so many and he enjoyed it because each one was different and unexpected.

Answer: Adenoids

Adenoids are caused by an infection in the roof of the mouth. They consist of large fleshy sacs which may restrict breathing if not seen to. Dahl describes how the doctor inserted the scalpel into his mouth, gave it several quick twists and suddenly it was over. Dahl pretended to have appendicitis during his first term at boarding school.

He felt homesick and wanted to see his family so he tricked the matron and was sent home. However, when he arrived home a real doctor checked him over and realised that Dahl had been faking it all along.

Answer: 9

Dahl was very upset when he went to boarding school as he had never stayed away from his family before. He was very anxious about what was going to happen and in the end, faked an illness to go and see his family again. Once he returned he rarely felt homesick but always sent his mother a letter once a week.