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Quiz about No Boats on Bannermere by Geoffrey Trease

"No Boats on Bannermere" by Geoffrey Trease Quiz

The first adventure in the famous "Bannermere" series shows what happens to the Melbury family when they head north to the Lake District to live. Follow them with these questions.

A multiple-choice quiz by Philian. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Philian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
135,017

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
151

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What was the snag for the Melbury family about inheriting Cousin Fay's cottage in the Lake District? Hint

The cottage was infested with rats.

They had to live there full time for at least five years.

The cottage wasn't big enough for the three of them.

The cottage was so remote there was no road to it.

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Question 2 of 15

2. What did Mrs.Melbury warn her children to look out for when they moved north? Hint

That the children didn't start using local Cumbrian dialect.

That they didn't fall behind because of changing schools.

That they would always obey the countryside code.

That she didn't let her standards of dress or behaviour decline.

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Question 3 of 15

3. Which scene in Shakespeare was Bill reminded of when he staggered along the road in the pouring rain on the first night and considered turning back without getting any milk? Hint

Macbeth's scene with Banquo on the heath.

Lancelot Gobbo's debate between conscience and temptation.

King Lear's fury in the thunderstorm.

The shipwreck of Viola in "Twelfth Night".

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Question 4 of 15

4. Why did Bill decide to let his sister have the bigger bedroom in the cottage? Hint

The smaller room he wanted was over the warm kitchen.

The smaller room was much closer to the bathroom.

The smaller room had a much nicer view.

He wanted to cheer her up after the long journey.

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Question 5 of 15

5. Apart from not wanting people looking at his back lawns what reason did Sir Alfred Askew give for keeping Bill and Susan off the island? Hint

The island was a site of archeological interest.

The island was where he proposed building a cottage.

The island contained many rare flowers.

The island was a bird sanctuary.

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Question 6 of 15

6. Who or what is "the Monstrosity"? Hint

An old car that is constantly on the verge of falling apart.

A vividly-striped canvas umbrella that fits over a garden-table.

The name the local people give to Sir Alfred Askew.

The shop in Winthwaite that sells all sorts of sweets.

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Question 7 of 15

7. Why does Bill get into trouble with Mr. Kingsford, the headmaster, on his first day at his new school? Hint

For accidentally going to the wrong lesson.

For being cheeky to one of the teachers.

For being seen with the high school girls during the lunch hour.

For not wearing his cap whilst walking in Winthwaite.

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Question 8 of 15

8. In what way does Penny participate in the Garden Fete at the High School? Hint

She is an escort for all the important guests.

She helps with refreshments in one of the tents.

She plays Gitana the Gypsy and tells fortunes.

She helps to sell garden produce from the school garden.

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Question 9 of 15

9. How did Bill draw attention to himself when they were chased through the woods on Sir Alfred's estate? Hint

He shouts out a false name as though calling to a friend.

He whistles loudly in three quick bursts.

He lets out a long blood-curdling yell.

He deliberately steps on a branch so that it cracks loudly.

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Question 10 of 15

10. What was the ring that Penny found near to the skeleton? Hint

A piece of Viking chain mail

An Anglo-Saxon signature ring.

A curtain ring.

A Victorian ring with rubies.

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Question 11 of 15

11. How did Sir Alfred manage to trace who had been in his woods at the weekend? Hint

Bill had left his notebook with his name on it.

Tim had lost his cap with his name in it.

Sir Alfred had followed their trail through the woods.

Sir Alfred has overheard their discussions at the mill.

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Question 12 of 15

12. In the style of the Second World War Bill and the others make up a name for their expedition to get to Brant Holme and dig for the treasure. What name do they use? Hint

Operation Treasure

Operation Amphibian

Operation Dawn Wind

Operation Island

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Question 13 of 15

13. Why did Tim have a problem when riding with Bill into Winthwaite after they had made their find on the island? Hint

He got a puncture and fell off.

He had to ride Susan's bike which was much too small.

The rain fell heavily and he had no mudguards.

He had hurt his leg and riding caused it to ache.

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Question 14 of 15

14. How did the skeleton on Brant Holme come to be destroyed? Hint

Tim dropped a heavy stone on it by accident.

In a scuffle between Sir Alfred and Kingsford Sir Alfred fell on it.

It fell to pieces when it was exposed to the air.

McPherson, the gardener, trod on it.

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Question 15 of 15

15. How did the newspaper man succeed in causing Penny to be embarrassed? Hint

by calling her the heroine of the whole story.

by suggesting that she might want a relationship with Bill in the future.

by taking her photograph when she wasn't ready

by asking her about her limp.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the snag for the Melbury family about inheriting Cousin Fay's cottage in the Lake District?

Answer: They had to live there full time for at least five years.

Cousin Fay had disliked "week-enders" so much she was determined that the cottage should be occupied all year round. This meant that Mrs. Melbury, Bill and Susan would have to give up their present furnished rooms and their current schools and move north on a permanent basis.

2. What did Mrs.Melbury warn her children to look out for when they moved north?

Answer: That she didn't let her standards of dress or behaviour decline.

As Mrs.Melbury puts it - there would be sometimes nobody to see her but the sheep. That, she thought, might tempt her to let herself go and she lists what they need to watch - "hair, clothes, hands, anything...."

3. Which scene in Shakespeare was Bill reminded of when he staggered along the road in the pouring rain on the first night and considered turning back without getting any milk?

Answer: Lancelot Gobbo's debate between conscience and temptation.

Bill describes his journey as a debate between his desire to go back to the cottage and the wish to get out of the rain and the dark. In the end he drops the milk jug and finds his way back to the cottage having been unsuccessful in his quest to reach the nearest neighbours.

4. Why did Bill decide to let his sister have the bigger bedroom in the cottage?

Answer: The smaller room he wanted was over the warm kitchen.

Susan claims that she needs a bigger room so that she can invite friends in and try clothes on. Bill is pretty sure that during the Lakeland winters the room over the heat of the kitchen will be the best one to be in at night.

5. Apart from not wanting people looking at his back lawns what reason did Sir Alfred Askew give for keeping Bill and Susan off the island?

Answer: The island was a bird sanctuary.

When an investigation is made it is clear that Sir Alfred Askew has only just come up with the idea of the island being a bird sanctuary. It does also prove to be a site of archeological interest but that is not something any of them know when he claims it is a bird sanctuary.

6. Who or what is "the Monstrosity"?

Answer: A vividly-striped canvas umbrella that fits over a garden-table.

The "Monstrosity" proves to have an important influence on the course of the story. Miss Florey mistakes their cottage for a place which sells teas because she assumes the table has been put out especially for customers. Later the Melbury family decide it would be a good idea to actually "do" teas and make a small profit.

7. Why does Bill get into trouble with Mr. Kingsford, the headmaster, on his first day at his new school?

Answer: For being seen with the high school girls during the lunch hour.

The two girls that Bill met were his sister Susan and her new friend, the very attractive Penny Morchard. Mr. Kingsford refuses to allow his boys to have anything to do with girls. He regards it as unhealthy and accuses Bill of "paying his attentions" to them.

8. In what way does Penny participate in the Garden Fete at the High School?

Answer: She plays Gitana the Gypsy and tells fortunes.

Penny's talent for acting allows her to use the occasion to try to prove that Sir Alfred Askew has a guilty secret. She mentions the word "elephants" to him to suggest his Indian background. She then says the name "Matson" which was the one that Bill had overheard on the telephone. He responds in the way they had all hoped.

9. How did Bill draw attention to himself when they were chased through the woods on Sir Alfred's estate?

Answer: He lets out a long blood-curdling yell.

Bill knows that if they are chased it will be Penny with her limp who will be the most vulnerable. So he gives a yell to draw Sir Alfred and Matson after him. He makes the sound vibrate (like Tarzan perhaps) by moving his hand backwards and forwards across his mouth.

10. What was the ring that Penny found near to the skeleton?

Answer: A piece of Viking chain mail

The chain mail links with the stories of the Vikings or Northmen coming to the Lakeland villages and raiding local monasteries and churches. It starts the four children off on their hunt for treasure.

11. How did Sir Alfred manage to trace who had been in his woods at the weekend?

Answer: Tim had lost his cap with his name in it.

When called to the Headmaster's office Bill is tricked into owning up that he had been in Bannermere Woods by Kingsford's direct question. In the argument with Sir Alfred that follows Kingsford is very strongly on the side of his two pupils.

12. In the style of the Second World War Bill and the others make up a name for their expedition to get to Brant Holme and dig for the treasure. What name do they use?

Answer: Operation Amphibian

A large part of the preparations for "Operation Amphibian" are connected with assembling, transporting and rowing Tim's collapsible boat. In order to disguise what they are talking about when speaking from the phone in the village shop Bill talks of "Amphibious archeology" which Penny spoonerises as "archious amphibiology".

13. Why did Tim have a problem when riding with Bill into Winthwaite after they had made their find on the island?

Answer: He had to ride Susan's bike which was much too small.

Tim complained that he felt like "an elephant on a fairy-cycle" as he struggled along on bicycle that was much too small. Also there were dificulties for both boys in keeping pace with each other.

14. How did the skeleton on Brant Holme come to be destroyed?

Answer: In a scuffle between Sir Alfred and Kingsford Sir Alfred fell on it.

It was fortunate that Tim had taken a photograph so that there was evidence that the dead man had had a Christian burial. The objects found were thus Treasure Trove and the finders (i.e.Bill, Tim, Penny and Susan) were entitled to a reward.

15. How did the newspaper man succeed in causing Penny to be embarrassed?

Answer: by suggesting that she might want a relationship with Bill in the future.

When Penny is adamant that she is not Bill's sister the newspaperman suggests that it "might mean more than one thing". At this suggestion Penny goes "pink right up to her high cheek-bones."

Source: Author Philian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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