Boy: Tales of Childhood True and False

Roald Dahl's grandfather was a prosperous merchant in Sarpsborg, Norway.

Roald Dahl's grandfather was born in 1820, shortly after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

If alive in 1984, Roald Dahl's grandfather would have been 164 years old.

Roald Dahl's father and grandfather were early starters in having children.

Roald Dahl's father broke his left arm below the elbow when he was fourteen.

The doctor who arrived to attend to Roald Dahl's father's broken arm was sober and competent.

Roald Dahl's favorite candies were Sherbet Suckers and Liquorice Bootlaces.

Liquorice Bootlaces are made from rats' blood according to Thwaites's father.

The Liquorice Bootlace Factory pays tuppence for each rat brought in by ratcatchers.

The Liquorice Bootlace Factory waits until they have ten thousand rats to dump them all in.

Thwaites's father was a ratcatcher.

Thwaites's father gave his son a lecture about Liquorice Bootlaces after catching him eating one in bed.

Harald Dahl and his wife had six children together

The lack of penicillin or antibiotics made pneumonia a less serious illness at the time

Roald Dahl's mother decided to stay in Wales to honor her husband's wish for their children to be educated in English schools

Harald Dahl's strong belief in the superiority of English schools influenced his wife's decision to stay in Wales

The family's difficult experiences in Wales had no impact on Roald Dahl's early life

Roald Dahl's family showed great resilience and resolve to stay in Wales despite adversity

True or false: The narrator's father wanted his children to be educated in Wales, not England?

True or false: The narrator's mother moved to England after her husband's death to fulfill his wish of educating their children there?

True or false: The family moved to a larger house in Llandaff, Wales, after the birth of their fifth child?

True or false: The narrator's most vivid memory of kindergarten was playing with his friends?

True or false: The narrator's first clear memory of Llandaff Cathedral School was seeing a younger boy riding a bicycle?

True or false: The narrator's memories of his early schooling are limited, but he vividly recalls the excitement of small things, such as riding a tricycle and visiting the sweet-shop?

Harald Dahl's arm was amputated at the elbow after a terrible accident, leaving him with one arm for the rest of his life.

Harald and his brother Oscar ran away from home to seek fortune in England or France.

Oscar became the wealthiest man in La Rochelle, France, owning a fleet of trawlers and a canning factory.

Harald and his friend understood the importance of coal to steamships and decided to set up their shipbroking business in Cardiff, the greatest coaling port at the time.

The shipbroking firm of 'Aadnesen & Dahl' in Cardiff grew rapidly, leading to Harald buying a fine house in Llandaff and marrying a French girl named Marie.

The narrative provides a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrants seeking prosperity in a foreign land.

Harald Dahl's arm was amputated at the elbow in 1877 after a terrible accident, leaving him with one arm for the rest of his life

Oscar became the wealthiest man in La Rochelle, France, owning a fleet of trawlers and a canning factory

Harald formed a partnership with a friend in Paris and became a shipbroker, supplying ships with various necessities

The shipbroking firm of 'Aadnesen & Dahl' in Cardiff grew rapidly, leading to Harald buying a fine house in Llandaff and marrying a French girl named Marie

Tragically, Marie died after giving birth to their second child, leaving Harald with two small children

The narrative provides a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrants seeking prosperity in a foreign land

True or false: Roald Dahl's grandfather was born shortly after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo?

True or false: If alive in 1984, Roald Dahl's grandfather would have been 164 years old?

True or false: Roald Dahl's father broke his left arm below the elbow when he was fourteen?

True or false: Harald Dahl's arm was amputated at the elbow after a terrible accident, leaving him with one arm for the rest of his life?

True or false: Harald Dahl and his friend understood the importance of coal to steamships and decided to set up their shipbroking business in Cardiff, the greatest coaling port at the time?

True or false: The lack of penicillin or antibiotics made pneumonia a less serious illness at the time?

True or false: Thwaites's father, a doctor, told his son that Liquorice Bootlaces are made from rats' blood?

True or false: The Liquorice Bootlace Factory pays tuppence for each rat brought in by ratcatchers?

True or false: Thwaites's father said that many ratcatchers have become millionaires by selling their dead rats to the Liquorice Bootlace Factory?

True or false: The narrator's favourite candies were Sherbet Suckers and Liquorice Bootlaces?

True or false: The Liquorice Bootlace Factory waits until they have ten thousand rats to dump them all in?

True or false: Thwaites's father gave his young son a lecture about Liquorice Bootlaces after catching him eating one in bed?

True or false: Harald Dahl's brother Oscar developed a strong interest in beautiful things and filled his house with art and fine furniture.

True or false: Harald Dahl was an expert gardener and collector of alpine plants, and an accomplished wood-carver.

True or false: Roald Dahl's sister, Astri, died at the age of seven, causing deep grief for their father, who died shortly after from pneumonia.

True or false: The lack of penicillin or antibiotics made pneumonia a serious and often fatal illness at the time.

True or false: Roald Dahl's mother decided to stay in Wales to honor her husband's wish for their children to be educated in English schools.

True or false: Harald's strong belief in the superiority of English schools influenced his wife's decision to stay in Wales.

True or false: The narrator's father believed in the magic of English schooling and wanted his children to be educated in England?

True or false: The family moved to a smaller house in Llandaff, Wales, after the birth of their fifth child?

True or false: The narrator's second clear memory of Llandaff Cathedral School was stopping at a sweet-shop with his friends on the way to and from school?

True or false: The narrator's strongest childhood desire was to have a bike like the older boy's and ride it confidently down the hill with no hands on the handlebars?

True or false: The text highlights the narrator's formative years and the impact of his surroundings on his early memories and aspirations?

True or false: The narrator's memories of his early schooling are limited, but he vividly recalls the excitement of small things, such as riding a tricycle and visiting the sweet-shop?

Harald Dahl's arm was amputated at the elbow after a terrible accident, leaving him with one arm for the rest of his life

Oscar became the wealthiest man in La Rochelle, France, owning a fleet of trawlers and a canning factory

Harald formed a partnership with a friend in Paris and became a shipbroker, supplying ships with various necessities

The shipbroking firm of 'Aadnesen & Dahl' in Cardiff grew rapidly, leading to Harald buying a fine house in Llandaff and marrying a French girl named Marie

Tragically, Marie died after giving birth to their second child, leaving Harald with two small children

The narrative provides a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrants seeking prosperity in a foreign land

Roald Dahl and his friends found a dead mouse in their secret hiding place at school?

The children found the dead mouse among their stash of sweets and treasures?

The children decided to throw the dead mouse out of the window?

The children discovered the dead mouse in a hollow space under a loose floorboard at the back of the classroom?

The children initially didn't know what to do with the dead mouse they found?

The children's secret hiding place was used for storing sweets, conkers, monkey-nuts, and birds' eggs?

True or false: The narrator experienced a burning sting across their buttocks after the first stroke of the cane?

True or false: The cane landed on bruised and wounded flesh during the punishment?

True or false: Mr. Coombes may have chalked the cane beforehand to make an aiming mark on the narrator's clothing?

True or false: The narrator found the agony of the third stroke to be even worse than the second?

True or false: Chalking the cane beforehand was considered unsporting and an admission of incompetence in those days?

True or false: The narrator's entire backside was affected by the time the fourth stroke was delivered?

True or false: The narrator's Mouse Plot involves putting a live mouse in the sweet shop jar?

True or false: Thwaites accuses the narrator of being a murderer?

True or false: The children suspect that Mrs. Pratchett had a heart attack from the shock of finding the dead mouse?

True or false: The Gobstopper jar is shattered with the dead mouse lying in the wreckage?

True or false: The children rush to the sweet shop to apologize to Mrs. Pratchett?

True or false: The story creates a sense of suspense and unease in the reader?

True or false: The headmaster unexpectedly gathers the entire school in the playground, instilling fear and speculation among the students.

True or false: The deputy headmaster organizes the students by form and demands absolute silence.

True or false: Mrs. Pratchett accuses a boy of being a thief, causing a commotion and pointing at another boy as well.

True or false: Mrs. Pratchett identifies the narrator as another culprit, leading to a heightened sense of fear and uncertainty.

True or false: The accusation causes fear and confusion among the students, with one boy appealing to Mr. Coombes.

True or false: The headmaster, accompanied by Mrs. Pratchett, inspects each boy, causing anxiety and tension.

True or false: Mrs. Pratchett's Revenge portrays a disturbing display of abuse of power and the insensitivity of the adults involved?

True or false: The boys in Mrs. Pratchett's Revenge are left traumatized, highlighting the lasting impact of the abuse they endured?

True or false: The narrative sheds light on the lasting psychological effects of abuse and the trauma inflicted on the boys?

True or false: The caning in Mrs. Pratchett's Revenge is described in graphic detail, with the boys enduring severe pain and Mrs. Pratchett goading Mr. Coombes?

True or false: The story exposes the dark reality of unchecked authority and the impact of cruelty on young individuals?

True or false: The boys in Mrs. Pratchett's Revenge suffer in silence, dreading their own turn for punishment?

True or false: The boat journey down the Oslo-fjord was described as a tranquil and beautiful experience?

True or false: Nanny expressed concern about the boat leaking and being food for the fishes before the day was out?

True or false: The coastal steamer stopped every hour or so at small wooden jetties to welcome friends or collect parcels and mail?

True or false: The narrator and others enjoyed the boat journey and the calm waters of the fjord?

True or false: The islands along the fjord had some with small wooden houses and others with bare rocks, suitable for sunbathing?

True or false: The boat journey down the Oslo-fjord was described as a tense and uncomfortable experience?

True or false: The Headmaster had a tooth edged all the way round with gold?

True or false: The Headmaster's hair was slicked down with so much hair-cream that it glistened like butter?

True or false: The narrator was left standing beside a brand new bicycle and a brand new tuck-box?

True or false: The Headmaster instructed the narrator to report to the Matron?

True or false: The narrator's mother climbed right back into the taxi after saying goodbye?

True or false: The narrator began to cry after being left standing beside his brand new trunk and tuck-box?

True or false: The author's Nanny enjoyed the boating adventures and was always eager to join?

True or false: The author's adenoids were removed during a medical procedure in Oslo?

True or false: The author's grandmother suggested that they rest in a chair after the medical procedure?

True or false: The author felt no discomfort after the medical procedure and took a trolley-car back home?

True or false: The author's childhood experiences during summer holidays in Norway included only boating adventures and fishing trips?

True or false: The author's strong emotions and sensory details provide a dull and unengaging narrative?

Roald Dahl started boarding school at St Peter's School in Weston-super-Mare in 1925

Tuck-boxes were used to store food and treasures at English prep schools in the 1920s

St Peter's School in Weston-super-Mare had around 150 boys

Parents sent parcels of tuck to their children at St Peter's School due to limited food provisions

Dahl's first day at boarding school was marked by a taxi ride with his mother to catch a paddle-steamer from Cardiff Docks to Weston-super-Mare

The text provides a vivid description of the environment, transportation, and belongings associated with Dahl's first day at St Peter's School

True or false: Norwegian children learn to swim at a young age due to the absence of sandy beaches on the fjord.

True or false: The family's annual destination was the island of Tjöme, where they stayed at a simple wooden hotel run by an elderly couple.

True or false: The hotel in Tjöme was primitive, with unvarnished pine plank bedrooms and rickety wooden outhouse lavatories.

True or false: The family would head out in their boat for daily activities, as everyone in Norway has some sort of a boat.

True or false: The motor-boat had an unreliable one-cylinder engine, and only the fairly ancient half-brother could start it after pouring petrol into the cylinder and swinging a flywheel.

True or false: The family's daily routine changed as they could now travel much farther afield with the motor-boat, allowing them to hunt for different islands and explore them before swimming off the rocks.

True or false: The Matron dropped soap flakes into Tweedie's mouth and he choked on them?

True or false: Tweedie began to gurgle and produce white bubbles around his lips after the Matron dropped soap flakes into his mouth?

True or false: Tweedie sat up and began clawing at his face after the soap flakes incident?

True or false: The Matron told Tweedie not to snore again and to wipe the soap foam off his face?

True or false: The Matron's action of dropping soap flakes into Tweedie's mouth was intended to harm him?

True or false: Tweedie's reaction to the soap flakes incident was a horrific sight?

Roald Dahl's experience of being drugged and having his nose sewn back on is a true story?

The white liquid poured on the cotton-wool inside the mask was chloroform and ether?

The narrator's mother gave him a golden sovereign after his surgery?

The narrator's father believed in the magic of English schooling and wanted his children to be educated in England?

The narrator's vivid memory of the surgery includes seeing blood-red circles and a scarlet whirlpool with a deep black hole in the center?

Roald Dahl's sister, Astri, died at the age of seven, causing deep grief for their father, who died shortly after from pneumonia.

True or false: The narrator compares homesickness to seasickness?

True or false: The narrator's half-sister had her appendix removed at home by a local doctor?

True or false: The narrator fakes symptoms of appendicitis and is taken to the school's Matron?

True or false: The doctor finds the narrator's temperature to be normal during the examination?

True or false: The narrator attempts the same tricks with a doctor at home and is successful in being taken back?

True or false: The story provides insight into the narrator's experiences with homesickness and attempts to manipulate their way back home?

True or false: The car's engine started after the crash?

True or false: A man with a horse and cart arrived at the scene, but was more concerned about his thousand fresh-laid eggs than the injured passengers?

True or false: The narrator's nose was nearly severed in the accident and required immediate medical attention?

True or false: The doctor promised to sew the nose back on immediately after the accident?

True or false: The car proceeded slowly and cautiously towards the doctor's surgery in Cardiff?

True or false: The text highlights the chaotic and tense aftermath of the accident, the urgency of seeking medical help, and the determination of the mother to ensure the narrator's well-being?

True or false: The protagonist's half-sister drove the family's first motor-car, a De Dion-Bouton, with only two half-hour driving lessons?

True or false: In 1925, no driving test was required for the sister to drive the motor-car?

True or false: The family's new motor-car had a special feature to keep the wind off the back-seat passengers?

True or false: The protagonist's sister confidently claimed that the motor-car could go over sixty miles per hour?

True or false: The family started the drive fearful and joyful at the same time?

True or false: The protagonist's sister drove cautiously through the village before increasing the speed of the motor-car?

True or false: The boys in the class were well-prepared for the teacher's reaction to someone farting?

True or false: The teacher would call out 'Use door as fan. Open all windows' when someone farted in the classroom?

True or false: The boys in the class would immediately start swinging the door and opening windows when the teacher gave the signal to do so?

True or false: The teacher would leave the room in mock distress after someone farted, muttering 'It’s the cabbage that does it'?

True or false: The teacher's reaction to someone farting in the classroom was a well-rehearsed operation that the boys knew exactly how to handle?

True or false: The teacher's reaction to someone farting in the classroom involved frantic activity and mock distress?

True or false: The narrator purchased a 500 cc Ariel for eighteen pounds and kept it secretly in a garage during his last term at Repton?

True or false: The narrator used to disguise himself in helmet, goggles, old raincoat, and rubber waders to ride all over Derbyshire?

True or false: The narrator's ship sailed from Liverpool and took six days to reach St John’s, Newfoundland?

True or false: Newfoundland was not much of a country according to the narrator?

True or false: The narrator was off to Newfoundland with the Public Schools’ Explorers at the age of eighteen?

True or false: The narrator zoomed joyfully away on the last day of term and left school behind him for ever and ever?

True or false: The speaker's passion for photography developed during his college years?

True or false: The speaker captured a notable photograph of the Arch of Ctesiphon in Iraq while training for the RAF in 1940?

True or false: The speaker joined the Shell Company as an Eastern Staff Trainee at the age of twenty?

True or false: The speaker's decision to pursue a career that would allow him to travel was influenced by the limited air travel opportunities in the early 1930s?

True or false: The speaker chose to forgo a family trip to Norway to participate in the exploration of Newfoundland?

True or false: The speaker's determination to pursue his passion for photography and his desire for adventure and exploration during his formative years shaped his early career choices and laid the foundation for his future experiences?

True or false: The fagging system at Repton School was based on equality and fairness?

True or false: The House Boazer could summon any Fag by yelling 'Fa-a-ag' and assign them tasks?

True or false: The narrator, Dahl, was once asked to warm a Boazer's toilet seat?

True or false: The lavatories at the school were heated, making it comfortable in winter?

True or false: Fags were at the top of the school's social structure and had authority over the older students?

True or false: The fagging system at Repton School created an environment of fear and servitude for the younger students?

True or false: The protagonist became a Boazer at Repton due to his exceptional skills in games and sports?

True or false: The game of fives at Repton required strong wrists, quick hands, and a swift eye to play?

True or false: The protagonist's lack of recognition as a Boazer was due to his unpredictable nature and dislike for rules?

True or false: The role of a Captain at Repton involved arranging fixtures with other schools and pinning notices on the school notice-board?

True or false: The protagonist's lack of recognition as a Boazer diminished his love for playing games at Repton?

True or false: The protagonist's experience at Repton highlights the contrast between the treatment of skilled athletes and those who do not fit the traditional mold of authority and power?