Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why was Harry looking forward to starting secondary school in September?
Why was Harry looking forward to starting secondary school in September?
- He would finally get to wear a school uniform like Dudley's.
- He heard that Stonewall High had excellent sports facilities.
- He would no longer have to be in the same school as Dudley. (correct)
- He believed Stonewall High was a better school than Smeltings.
What was the purpose of the knobbly sticks that Smeltings boys carried?
What was the purpose of the knobbly sticks that Smeltings boys carried?
- To assist them in their academic studies.
- To hit each other when teachers were not watching as 'training for later life'. (correct)
- To protect themselves from bullies at other schools.
- To use as walking aids around the school grounds.
How did Aunt Petunia react to seeing Dudley in his Smeltings uniform?
How did Aunt Petunia react to seeing Dudley in his Smeltings uniform?
- She expressed disappointment that the uniform wasn't more fashionable.
- She remained indifferent, showing no particular emotion.
- She criticized Uncle Vernon for spending too much money.
- She burst into tears, overwhelmed by how handsome and grown-up he looked. (correct)
What did Dudley tell Harry happened to students on their first day at Stonewall High?
What did Dudley tell Harry happened to students on their first day at Stonewall High?
Why was Harry given his 'longest-ever punishment'?
Why was Harry given his 'longest-ever punishment'?
Apart from Dudley, who else was going to Smeltings?
Apart from Dudley, who else was going to Smeltings?
What was Dudley's 'favourite sport' during the summer holidays?
What was Dudley's 'favourite sport' during the summer holidays?
What were Smeltings boys' hats called?
What were Smeltings boys' hats called?
Why was Dudley in shock at breakfast?
Why was Dudley in shock at breakfast?
What was Uncle Vernon doing at the foot of the front door in the sleeping bag?
What was Uncle Vernon doing at the foot of the front door in the sleeping bag?
What was unusual about the letters that arrived for Harry?
What was unusual about the letters that arrived for Harry?
What action did Uncle Vernon take after burning the twelve letters that arrived on Friday?
What action did Uncle Vernon take after burning the twelve letters that arrived on Friday?
How did twenty-four letters for Harry get into the house on Saturday?
How did twenty-four letters for Harry get into the house on Saturday?
What interrupted Uncle Vernon's happy reminder that there was no post on Sundays?
What interrupted Uncle Vernon's happy reminder that there was no post on Sundays?
What does Harry plan to do to ensure he gets the next letter?
What does Harry plan to do to ensure he gets the next letter?
Why did the Dursleys' house have four bedrooms?
Why did the Dursleys' house have four bedrooms?
What was the condition of most of Dudley's old possessions in the second bedroom?
What was the condition of most of Dudley's old possessions in the second bedroom?
What was Aunt Petunia doing while Uncle Vernon was attempting to prevent letters from being delivered?
What was Aunt Petunia doing while Uncle Vernon was attempting to prevent letters from being delivered?
What can be inferred from Harry's thoughts about the Dursleys remembering his birthday?
What can be inferred from Harry's thoughts about the Dursleys remembering his birthday?
The sounds Harry hears before the 'BOOM' create which atmosphere?
The sounds Harry hears before the 'BOOM' create which atmosphere?
Why might Harry consider waking Dudley up as his birthday approaches?
Why might Harry consider waking Dudley up as his birthday approaches?
Based on the description, what is the most likely reason Harry is anticipating letters?
Based on the description, what is the most likely reason Harry is anticipating letters?
What is the most probable meaning of 'BOOM' at the end of the passage?
What is the most probable meaning of 'BOOM' at the end of the passage?
Why does Harry doubt that Dudley's dyed clothes will resemble a school uniform?
Why does Harry doubt that Dudley's dyed clothes will resemble a school uniform?
Uncle Vernon's reaction to Harry's letter can best be described as:
Uncle Vernon's reaction to Harry's letter can best be described as:
What is the significance of the address on Harry's letter, particularly the inclusion of 'The Cupboard under the Stairs'?
What is the significance of the address on Harry's letter, particularly the inclusion of 'The Cupboard under the Stairs'?
Why do Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia react so strongly to the letter?
Why do Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia react so strongly to the letter?
What motivates Uncle Vernon to burn Harry's letter?
What motivates Uncle Vernon to burn Harry's letter?
The phrase 'heart twanging like a giant elastic band' is used to describe Harry's reaction to receiving a letter. What does this suggest about his feelings?
The phrase 'heart twanging like a giant elastic band' is used to describe Harry's reaction to receiving a letter. What does this suggest about his feelings?
Consider the contrasting reactions of Dudley and Harry towards the letter. What does this reveal about their characters?
Consider the contrasting reactions of Dudley and Harry towards the letter. What does this reveal about their characters?
When Uncle Vernon says, 'We’ll ignore it. If they don’t get an answer...yes, that’s best...we won’t do anything…' what does this reveal about his approach to dealing with uncomfortable situations?
When Uncle Vernon says, 'We’ll ignore it. If they don’t get an answer...yes, that’s best...we won’t do anything…' what does this reveal about his approach to dealing with uncomfortable situations?
What does the description of the letter (thick, heavy parchment, emerald-green ink, purple wax seal with a coat of arms) suggest about its origin?
What does the description of the letter (thick, heavy parchment, emerald-green ink, purple wax seal with a coat of arms) suggest about its origin?
Uncle Vernon's chuckle after asking if Harry is 'checking for letter-bombs' is an example of:
Uncle Vernon's chuckle after asking if Harry is 'checking for letter-bombs' is an example of:
Why does Uncle Vernon decide to move his family so suddenly?
Why does Uncle Vernon decide to move his family so suddenly?
What causes Dudley to snivel in the back seat during the car ride?
What causes Dudley to snivel in the back seat during the car ride?
How does Uncle Vernon attempt to 'shake 'em off' during the car journey?
How does Uncle Vernon attempt to 'shake 'em off' during the car journey?
What is Harry's reaction to learning that the next day is his eleventh birthday?
What is Harry's reaction to learning that the next day is his eleventh birthday?
How does Uncle Vernon react upon arriving at the shack on the rock?
How does Uncle Vernon react upon arriving at the shack on the rock?
What is the significance of Dudley knowing that it is Monday?
What is the significance of Dudley knowing that it is Monday?
What 'rations' does Uncle Vernon provide for the family during their stay in the shack?
What 'rations' does Uncle Vernon provide for the family during their stay in the shack?
What does the toothless old man do when Uncle Vernon arranges for the boat?
What does the toothless old man do when Uncle Vernon arranges for the boat?
Why did Uncle Vernon hit Dudley around the head?
Why did Uncle Vernon hit Dudley around the head?
What is the condition of the hotel room that Harry and Dudley share?
What is the condition of the hotel room that Harry and Dudley share?
Flashcards
Longest-ever punishment
Longest-ever punishment
Harry's punishment for the boa constrictor escape.
Harry-hunting
Harry-hunting
Dudley's favorite activity, and the reason Harry spends a lot of time away from the house.
Smeltings
Smeltings
The school Dudley will be attending.
Stonewall High
Stonewall High
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Toilet Head-Dunking
Toilet Head-Dunking
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Broken Leg
Broken Leg
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Knobbly Sticks
Knobbly Sticks
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Ickle Dudleykins
Ickle Dudleykins
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Harry's New Uniform
Harry's New Uniform
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The Mysterious Letter
The Mysterious Letter
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Letter's Appearance
Letter's Appearance
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Reaction to the Letter
Reaction to the Letter
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The Burned Letter
The Burned Letter
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Harry's Living Space
Harry's Living Space
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Smeltings Stick
Smeltings Stick
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Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms
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Uncle Vernon's Lie
Uncle Vernon's Lie
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Moving Out?
Moving Out?
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Midnight Thunder
Midnight Thunder
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Ten Minutes
Ten Minutes
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A Letter
A Letter
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Crunching Noise
Crunching Noise
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Loud Boom
Loud Boom
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Harry's New Room
Harry's New Room
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Dudley's reaction
Dudley's reaction
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Uncle Vernon's Failed Kindness
Uncle Vernon's Failed Kindness
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Letter Retrieval Struggle
Letter Retrieval Struggle
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Harry's Interception Plan
Harry's Interception Plan
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Uncle Vernon's Vigil
Uncle Vernon's Vigil
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Vernon Destroys Letters
Vernon Destroys Letters
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Letter-box Barricade
Letter-box Barricade
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Overwhelming Letters
Overwhelming Letters
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Egg Delivery
Egg Delivery
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Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
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Impending Birthday
Impending Birthday
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The 'Perfect Place'
The 'Perfect Place'
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Makeshift Transportation
Makeshift Transportation
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Shack Accommodations
Shack Accommodations
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Limited Rations
Limited Rations
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A Stormy Isolation
A Stormy Isolation
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Stormy Conditions
Stormy Conditions
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Mouldy Bedding
Mouldy Bedding
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Harry's Sleeping Arrangement
Harry's Sleeping Arrangement
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Study Notes
- After the boa constrictor incident, Harry's summer is spent avoiding Dudley's gang and anticipating secondary school, where he won't be with Dudley for the first time due to Dudley attending Smeltings.
School Preparations and Teasing
- Dudley mocks Harry's school, Stonewall High, with threats of being stuffed down the toilet.
- Aunt Petunia takes Dudley to London for his Smeltings uniform, leaving Harry with Mrs. Figg, who is slightly nicer due to a broken leg caused by her cats.
- Dudley's Smeltings uniform is maroon with orange knickerbockers, a boater hat, and a stick for hitting other students.
- Uncle Vernon deems Dudley in his uniform as the proudest moment of his life.
- Harry's uniform is dyed gray from Dudley's old clothes.
The First Letter
- Harry receives a letter addressed to "Mr H. Potter, The Cupboard under the Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey," written in emerald-green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple wax seal depicting a coat of arms with a lion, eagle, badger, snake and the letter 'H'.
- Uncle Vernon intercepts and burns Harry's letter, reacting with shock and forbidding any mention of it.
- To appease Harry, Uncle Vernon moves him to Dudley's second bedroom, which is filled with Dudley's broken toys.
More Letters Arrive
- Another letter arrives, addressed to "Mr H. Potter, The Smallest Bedroom, 4 Privet Drive," leading to a fight as Uncle Vernon tries to seize it.
- Harry plans to intercept the post before the Dursleys can get to it.
- Uncle Vernon sleeps in front of the door to prevent Harry from getting the mail.
- Uncle Vernon nails up the letterbox after several letters are delivered.
Escalating Measures
- Twelve letters are pushed under the door and through other openings.
- Uncle Vernon boards up the doors.
- Twenty-four letters are hidden inside eggs delivered by the milkman.
- Aunt Petunia shreds the letters.
Escape
- Thirty to forty letters come flying down the chimney during breakfast.
- The Dursleys flee in their car to escape the letters.
- They drive aimlessly, trying to "shake 'em off".
- They spend the night in a gloomy hotel.
- At the Railview Hotel in Cokeworth, the hotel owner has about a hundred letters for Mr. H. Potter.
- They continue traveling, ending up in a shack on a rock in the sea.
Birthday on the Rock
- They are on the rock because Vernon believes no one will deliver post there.
- It is the day before Harry's eleventh birthday.
- As midnight approaches and a storm rages, someone knocks on the door of the shack.
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Description
Harry receives mysterious letters addressed only to him, which Uncle Vernon tries to burn. More letters arrive, escalating the situation. Dudley is going to Smeltings school.