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Questions and Answers
Timothy is the youngest of the four Willoughby children.
False
Barnaby A and Barnaby B were often mistaken for each other due to their identical appearance and names.
True
The Willoughby parents were attentive and nurturing towards their children.
False
The Willoughby parents were described as having negative personality traits.
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Tim, the eldest, makes all the decisions for the children, including what games to play and what to eat.
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The children find a baby on their doorstep in a wicker basket with a note attached.
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The children consider various options for the baby, including setting it out for the trash collector.
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They debate whether to read the note and speculate about its contents.
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The baby begins to cry and the children discuss potential names for it.
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Tim reads the note and deems it 'pathetic,' but decides to bring the baby inside.
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Their mother is unhappy about the situation and uses scissors to cut the baby's curls.
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The baby stops crying and stares at Jane, who remarks that it is not cute without curls.
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The children ultimately decide to keep the baby and care for it.
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Tim is initially against keeping the baby, but changes his mind after reading the note.
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The baby's curls were cut by their mother using a pair of scissors.
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The children's mother is delighted when she sees the baby.
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Tim, the leader, writes a note asking for a reward for the baby, signing it as the Willoughbys.
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Tim insists that only the boys are capable of important work, upsetting his sister Jane.
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The children leave the baby at the Melanoff mansion.
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The children's mother is preoccupied with cooking a meatloaf when she tasks them with disposing of the baby.
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The children ask their parents to read them a bedtime story upon returning home.
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Mr. Willoughby reluctantly agrees to read a story to the children.
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The children's mother is preoccupied with knitting a sweater for the cat when they return home.
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The story ends with the children gathered around their mother.
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The children transport the baby in a stroller to the Melanoff mansion.
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The children leave the baby at the mansion without revealing its name.
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The children arrange themselves at their father's feet, resembling a scene from a Christmas card.
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The children's mother is preoccupied with cooking a meatloaf when they return home.
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Tim voices his plan to visit the Reprehensible Travel Agency to obtain brochures and plot to get rid of their parents.
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Mrs. Willoughby announces their decision to take a sea voyage vacation using a brochure from the Reprehensible Travel Agency.
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Mr. Willoughby challenges the children to read the brochure. He then announces the plan to hire a nanny due to the law against leaving the children alone.
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Tim deducts points from Barnaby A for not including helpful details about the nanny's appearance.
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Jane asks Tim if she can look through the binoculars, to which Tim refuses and deducts points for asking.
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The Willoughby children discuss sea voyages, pirates, and sea serpents, expressing concern and disbelief.
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The children observe the arrival of a new potential nanny, describing her appearance and speculating about her intentions.
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The children discuss whether the new nanny looks villainous, referring to a previous nanny who came the day before.
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Tim provides a detailed description of the nanny's appearance and actions as she approaches the house.
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The Willoughby parents were attentive and nurturing towards their children.
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The Willoughby parents were described as having negative personality traits.
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Timothy is the youngest of the four Willoughby children.
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True or false: The Willoughby children express a desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans.
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True or false: The Willoughby children consider putting Jane in the coal bin in the basement if she expresses fondness for their parents.
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True or false: The Willoughby children discuss examples of orphans from literature, including Mary Lennox, Pollyanna, Anne of Green Gables, and James from James and the Giant Peach.
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True or false: The children play a game with rules about moving down steps when asking questions or interrupting.
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True or false: The Willoughby children express dislike for their parents.
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True or false: The Willoughby children contemplate being orphans and play a game about it.
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True or false: The Willoughby parents were described as having positive personality traits.
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True or false: The Willoughby children debate whether they should be orphans.
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True or false: The Willoughby children discuss the game rules, including using proper names and not using silly nicknames.
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True or false: Tim, the oldest, suggests doing away with their parents.
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True or false: The Willoughby children's game and discussion reflect their desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans.
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True or false: The children continue to discuss their plan to rid themselves of their parents.
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True or false: Tim thinks the postcard is pathetic and decides to read it aloud to the others.
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True or false: The twins are deducted points for speaking in unison when asking to see the postcard.
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True or false: Barnaby A is able to read the postcard before Tim whips it away.
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True or false: Tim deducts points from Jane for being a scaredy-cat after she expresses fear of the coal bin.
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Commander Melanoff found the baby in a wicker basket on his doorstep
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Commander Melanoff initially places the baby on the velvet couch in his mansion
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The grocer offers to send a pizza for Commander Melanoff and the baby
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Commander Melanoff reflects on his past and the tragedy that left him alone for a long time
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The grocer questions Commander Melanoff about the baby's size, teeth, and ability to chew
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Commander Melanoff is certain about what he needs for the baby from the beginning
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The story suggests a new beginning for Commander Melanoff and the baby, Ruth
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Commander Melanoff's mansion is described as having a refrigerator filled with food
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Ruth, the baby, tugs at Commander Melanoff's mustache
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Commander Melanoff requests a salad, vitamins, and soap from the grocer instead of a pizza
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Commander Melanoff's wife is mentioned in the text as being meticulously organized
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Commander Melanoff improvises a diaper for the baby from a dishtowel
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True or false: The real estate agent's visit was a surprise to the children, and they were concerned about being sold with the house.
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True or false: Jane is camouflaged as a lamp using their mother's hat and a note about defective electricity to deter anyone from turning her on.
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True or false: The children discuss their fears of being found and their past experience with the coal bin.
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True or false: The text portrays the children's desire to avoid being seen and their amusing attempts to camouflage themselves.
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True or false: The story showcases the children's clever and imaginative problem-solving skills in a comical and light-hearted manner.
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True or false: Tim plans to make Barnaby B blend in by standing by the door with his arms up.
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True or false: The children's dialogue and actions reflect their fear, creativity, and sense of humor in dealing with the situation.
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True or false: The children are preoccupied with cooking a meatloaf when the real estate agent visits.
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True or false: The children's game and discussion reflect their desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans.
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True or false: The children discuss their plan to rid themselves of their parents.
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True or false: The Willoughby children consider putting Jane in the coal bin in the basement if she expresses fondness for their parents.
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True or false: The Willoughby children discuss the game rules, including using proper names and not using silly nicknames.
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Commander Melanoff orders clothes for a baby girl named Ruth, including elegant velvet dresses and serviceable play clothes, adorned with her name 'Ruth' on all items.
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Commander Melanoff cleans the house for Ruth's well-being, but moths in the draperies and a towering stack of unopened mail from Switzerland remain untouched.
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Commander Melanoff struggles to throw away the unopened mail but cannot bring himself to do it, and the baby occasionally chews on the letters.
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One letter reveals that someone was found alive after surviving crocodiles, but Commander Melanoff, the twins, Jane, and Nanny are preoccupied in the kitchen.
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The family is baking cookies, and Tim reads a postcard announcing the survival of someone from crocodiles.
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The family discusses the language on the postcard, and Nanny recalls being called 'insufferable' and the twins 'repetitious' by the senders.
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The Willoughby children play a game with rules about moving down steps when asking questions or interrupting.
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The Willoughby children express a desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans.
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Their mother is unhappy about the situation and uses scissors to cut the baby's curls.
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The children discuss whether the new nanny looks villainous, referring to a previous nanny who came the day before.
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The children transport the baby in a stroller to the Melanoff mansion.
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Tim is initially against keeping the baby, but changes his mind after reading the note.
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True or false: The Willoughby children's camouflage plan involves disguising Barnaby B as a coat tree with their father's hat over his face?
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True or false: Nanny poses as a statue in the upstairs hall as part of her camouflage plan?
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True or false: Nanny's camouflage plan involves remaining still and nude, except for a sheet, during visits from prospective buyers?
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True or false: The children and Nanny manage to stay clean despite their camouflage activities?
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True or false: The text portrays a whimsical and imaginative scenario, highlighting the children's creativity and Nanny's dedication to their well-being?
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True or false: The Willoughby children's camouflage plan was successful in attracting prospective buyers to their home?
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True or false: Nanny's camouflage plan involves draping herself with a sheet and powdering herself to look like alabaster?
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True or false: The children's camouflage plan reflects their determination to avoid being noticed during visits from prospective buyers?
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True or false: The children and Nanny share a unique bond, supporting each other in their unconventional efforts to maintain their living situation?
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True or false: Nanny occasionally winks during her pose as a statue, adding a touch of realism?
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True or false: The Willoughby children and Nanny enjoy a meal prepared by Nanny, including succulent pot roast and warm pie for dessert?
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True or false: Despite their efforts, no prospective buyers have shown interest in the house, expressing concerns about toxic air, bad wiring, a broken furnace, and rotten floorboards?
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True or false: The boy's father has been unresponsive for many years, leading the mother to declare herself as no longer married.
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True or false: The mother's interaction with the postmaster suggests that she is interested in developing a romantic relationship with him.
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True or false: The mother's precise nature is likened to a Swiss train coming into a station, suggesting her meticulousness.
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True or false: Hans-Peter allows himself to hope for a future with the postmistress, indicating his developing feelings for her.
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True or false: Nanny disapproves of being compared to Mary Poppins and emphasizes her professionalism.
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True or false: The encounter ends with Nanny and the children bidding farewell to the Commander and Baby Ruth.
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True or false: The family finds a note from the real estate agent congratulating them on the sale and expressing regret for missing them during the visit.
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True or false: The family has become accustomed to hurriedly assuming disguises when potential buyers visit.
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True or false: The children express regret for going out for a walk, believing that terrible things always happen when they are away.
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True or false: The family is distressed by the unexpected sale of their home.
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True or false: Nanny contemplates moving her statue of Aphrodite to the parlor for better visibility during showings.
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True or false: The note from the real estate agent serves as confirmation of the sale and adds to the family's concerns.
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True or false: The family is left with a sense of unease and uncertainty about their future.
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True or false: The children express possessiveness over Baby Ruth, insisting she is theirs and they are orphans in need of a nanny.
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True or false: The Willoughby family discovers a 'SOLD' sign on their house, indicating it has been sold.
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True or false: The children discuss their fears of being found and their past experience with the coal bin.
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True or false: The Willoughby children's nanny encourages them to walk briskly and skip, but prohibits the use of the word 'dolt'
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True or false: The family in the story faces eviction from their home and must sell to a buyer who wants them out in two weeks.
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True or false: Nanny scolds the children for standing still, emphasizing the importance of continuous fresh-air intake
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True or false: The nanny suggests taking an old-fashioned approach to the family's situation and emphasizes the importance of making a plan and baking a lemon soufflé.
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True or false: The children, Nanny, and the twins encounter Commander Melanoff on the mansion's porch
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True or false: The tourists in the story exhibit rude behavior and a lack of cultural sensitivity towards the local cuisine.
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True or false: Nanny explains that they came to investigate the giggle and compliments the cookies offered by Commander Melanoff
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True or false: The tourists express a morbid fascination with seeing frozen bodies on the unclimbed alp and display a dismissive attitude towards the local dish, fondue.
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True or false: The twins are hesitant, but Nanny calls them to join, and they are offered cookies by Commander Melanoff
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True or false: The text highlights the family's concern about their future living arrangements and the fate of their beloved cat.
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True or false: The encounter with Commander Melanoff on the mansion's porch leaves the children and Nanny surprised and intrigued
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True or false: The story touches on themes of resilience, adaptability, and cultural differences through the interactions between the family, the nanny, and the two tourists.
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True or false: The children express concern about trespassing, but Nanny dismisses it and shares a story about a dog's disappearance due to an open gate
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True or false: The narrative weaves together the contrasting experiences of the family facing eviction and the arrival of the ill-mannered tourists in the remote Swiss village.
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True or false: Nanny and the children hear a baby's giggle coming from the mansion's porch
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True or false: The author uses humor and irony to underscore the clash between the tourists' entitlement and the family's need to find a new home, creating a lighthearted yet thought-provoking story.
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True or false: The encounter at the mansion involves the children and Nanny going for a walk and encountering a mansion they had not visited since the day they found a baby there
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True or false: The text provides a humorous and insightful commentary on cultural clashes, resilience, and the importance of old-fashioned values in navigating challenging situations.
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True or false: The children notice changes to the mansion, and Jane expresses sadness about the baby they had found there previously
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True or false: The tourists in the story are portrayed as ignorant and demanding, contrasting with the family's situation and the nanny's old-fashioned wisdom.
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True or false: A boy and his mother leave the post office and head towards the village's main street
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True or false: The family's response to their impending eviction is juxtaposed with the tourists' disrespectful behavior, adding humor and depth to the narrative.
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True or false: Nanny leads the children through the mansion's gate to investigate the giggle despite their reluctance
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True or false: The story features a family and their nanny facing eviction from their home, with the prospect of selling to a buyer who wants them out in two weeks.
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True or false: The Willoughby children's unconventional future plans are met with practical obstacles such as allergies and inability to swim.
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True or false: The son of the bride at the wedding in the Swiss village feels out of place and longs for his home and a kind, loving man he called Papa?
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True or false: The story explores themes of tradition, belonging, and the challenges of planning a future when faced with limited options and circumstances?
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True or false: The text juxtaposes the old-fashioned, whimsical ideas of the Willoughby children with the traditional, joyous celebration of the postmaster's wedding in the Swiss village?
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True or false: The story presents a blend of whimsical, old-fashioned elements with a sense of longing, displacement, and the search for belonging?
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True or false: The Willoughby children's struggle to navigate their futures reflects a world that seems to offer limited, old-fashioned options, while also depicting a traditional celebration in a Swiss village?
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True or false: The children plan to develop a lingering disease, enter a cloistered convent, run away to join the circus, or sail down the Mississippi like Huckleberry Finn for their future?
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True or false: The children's Nanny readily accepts and supports their unconventional ideas for their futures?
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True or false: The children's plans reflect their modern upbringing and the numerous options they perceive for their futures?
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True or false: The story takes place in a Swiss village where a wedding celebration contrasts with the old-fashioned ideas of the Willoughby children?
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True or false: The children's Nanny shows frustration and reluctance to comply with their whimsical plans for the future?
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True or false: The Willoughby children's ideas reflect their old-fashioned upbringing and the limited options they perceive for their futures?
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True or false: Baby Ruth had just learned to walk and was unsteady on her chubby legs as she tried to catch the cats on the Oriental rug?
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True or false: Commander Melanoff had a proud look when he saw his family busy with their happy enterprises in the mansion?
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True or false: Tim was industriously putting together a model airplane out of balsa wood, being very careful not to sniff the glue?
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True or false: Twilight streamed in through the high windows, and the floors gleamed with wax in the mansion?
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Commander Melanoff plans to name a candy bar after Baby Ruth and send Tim to law school.
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The announcement involves burning the stack of unopened letters after dinner.
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The letters reveal a change in tone from pleading to anger over time.
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The commander enjoys Nanny's cooking and engages in the conversation.
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The family ultimately decides to keep the baby and care for it.
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The tourists express a morbid fascination with seeing frozen bodies on the unclimbed alp and display a dismissive attitude towards the local dish, fondue.
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Commander Melanoff orders clothes for a baby girl named Ruth, including elegant velvet dresses and serviceable play clothes, adorned with her name 'Ruth' on all items.
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The story suggests a new beginning for Commander Melanoff and the baby, Ruth.
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One letter reveals that someone was found alive after surviving crocodiles, but Commander Melanoff, the twins, Jane, and Nanny are preoccupied in the kitchen.
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The story showcases the children's clever and imaginative problem-solving skills in a comical and light-hearted manner.
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Nanny poses as a statue in the upstairs hall as part of her camouflage plan.
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The children enjoy a meal prepared by Nanny, including succulent pot roast and warm pie for dessert.
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Expostulation is a sound expressing agreement or approval.
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Glossary is a list of terms and meanings found at the beginning of a book.
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Heinous means shockingly evil or wicked, similar to nefarious and reprehensible.
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Insignificant refers to something very unimportant and powerless, like a single ant on the sidewalk.
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Irascible describes having outbursts of good temper.
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Lugubrious means very cheerful or joyful, often associated with celebratory events.
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Meticulous refers to being extremely precise and careful, like surgeons.
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Nefarious means utterly wicked, similar to the character in 'The Wizard of Oz.'
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Malevolent means wanting to help others or having a positive influence.
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Fortuitous describes a bad event happening by chance, like losing a wallet.
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Glutinous refers to something sticky and appetizing, like a delicious dessert.
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The French movie 'Diabolique' is remembered as the funniest film by the author.
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True or false: Jane reads a letter with a bad word, causing Commander Melanoff to react emotionally and search through the mail.
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True or false: The candy bar created by Commander Melanoff, named 'Little Ruthie,' did not succeed, but he was content with his vast fortune and the return of his son.
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True or false: The twins' original names were Barnaby Linguini Rotini Willoughby and Barnaby Ravioli Fusilli Willoughby, a result of their parents' preference for long names for boys.
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True or false: The family finds a solution to the twins' long and unconventional names by allowing them to change their names to Bill and Joe.
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True or false: Commander Melanoff is hesitant about the A, B, and C naming system and seeks suggestions to rename the twins.
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True or false: The epilogue highlights the successful future of Commander Melanoff's son and his role in the family business.
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True or false: The story emphasizes the theme of reunion and the importance of names in shaping identities.
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True or false: The boy, Peter, is renamed Barnaby C, and the other two Willoughby twins are renamed with their middle names, Bill and Joe.
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True or false: The Willoughby children express dislike for their parents.
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True or false: The children leave the baby at the mansion without revealing its name.
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True or false: The children transport the baby in a stroller to the Melanoff mansion.
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True or false: Tim, the eldest, makes all the decisions for the children, including what games to play and what to eat.
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True or false: The Willoughby children were adopted by a commander and his wife and were renamed Bill and Joe.
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True or false: The note that was once attached to Baby Ruth, indicating a reward for the baby, was lost, along with the mystery of the Willoughby name.
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True or false: The third Barnaby was known as Junior, and later invented Junior Mints, which were already invented.
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True or false: Baby Ruth found her biological mother in Champaign, Illinois, and gifted her a gold-plated wicker basket as a souvenir.
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True or false: Ruth married her stepbrother Tim, who became an attorney and adored his wife, never being ruthless again.
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True or false: Bill and Joe never married and now operate a chain of clothing stores called Big Sweaters.
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True or false: Jane, who became a professor of feminist literature, married a man named Smith and had triplet daughters.
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True or false: The postmaster and his wife in Switzerland ran the post office efficiently for many years, never having children.
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True or false: Commander Melanoff, with his second wife and six children, visited Switzerland and stopped at the post office.
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True or false: The four former Willoughbys saluted their parents at the foot of a mountain and followed with cocoa.
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True or false: Glossary terms include "acquisition," "affable," "alabaster," "auspicious," "beastly," "bilious," "confectionary," "conspiracy," "contemplating," "cryptic," "despicable," and "diabolical."
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True or false: The text provides definitions and examples for the glossary terms.
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Study Notes
The Willoughby Children's Orphanhood Game
- The Willoughby children contemplate being orphans and play a game about it
- They discuss the characteristics of "worthy and deserving orphans" from old-fashioned books
- The children discuss examples of orphans from literature, including Mary Lennox, Pollyanna, Anne of Green Gables, and James from James and the Giant Peach
- They debate whether they should be orphans and express dislike for their parents
- Tim, the oldest, suggests doing away with their parents
- The children play a game with rules about moving down steps when asking questions or interrupting
- The children express their grievances about their parents, including their mother's cooking and the color of their sweaters
- They consider putting Jane in the coal bin in the basement if she expresses fondness for their parents
- The children discuss the game rules, including using proper names and not using silly nicknames
- The children continue to discuss their plan to rid themselves of their parents
- The text includes dialogue between the children and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby, about their feelings towards their children
- The children's game and discussion reflect their desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans
The Willoughby Children’s Camouflage Plans
- The Willoughby children, Tim, Jane, and the twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, have devised a plan to stay out of sight and remain clean during visits from prospective buyers for their home.
- Tim hangs overcoats on Barnaby B, transforming him into a coat tree, and places his father's hat over Barnaby B's face to complete the disguise.
- The children practice being motionless in their camouflaged positions, with Tim disguised as a fur rug in front of the fireplace.
- Despite their efforts, no prospective buyers have shown interest in the house, expressing concerns about toxic air, bad wiring, a broken furnace, and rotten floorboards.
- Nanny, their caretaker, is an exceptional cook, and the children manage to stay clean despite their camouflage activities.
- Nanny reveals her own camouflage plan: she poses as a statue in the upstairs hall, draping herself with a sheet and powdering herself to look like alabaster.
- Nanny uses this disguise to remain still and nude, except for the sheet, during visits from prospective buyers, occasionally winking to add a touch of realism.
- The children are surprised to learn about Nanny's camouflage plan and recall a prospective buyer running downstairs screaming, possibly due to Nanny winking during her pose.
- The children and Nanny sit together at the supper table, enjoying a meal prepared by Nanny, including succulent pot roast and warm pie for dessert.
- Nanny's camouflage plan and the children's efforts to stay out of sight and clean reflect their determination to avoid being noticed during visits from prospective buyers.
- The children and Nanny share a unique bond, supporting each other in their unconventional efforts to maintain their living situation amidst the challenges they face.
- The text portrays a whimsical and imaginative scenario, highlighting the children's creativity and Nanny's dedication to their well-being.
An Auspicious Change
- The story revolves around the Willoughby children and their Nanny, who are struggling to plan their futures after becoming parentless and soon to be homeless.
- The children come up with old-fashioned, unconventional ideas for their futures, such as developing a lingering disease, entering a cloistered convent, running away to join the circus, or sailing down the Mississippi like Huckleberry Finn.
- The children's suggestions are met with resistance and practical obstacles, such as allergies and inability to swim.
- The children's Nanny also rejects their ideas, showing frustration and reluctance to comply with their whimsical plans.
- The children's ideas reflect their old-fashioned upbringing and the limited options they perceive for their futures.
- The children's plans are contrasted with the backdrop of a wedding in the Swiss village, where the postmaster is getting married amidst a joyous celebration.
- The son of the bride at the wedding is deeply unhappy in the village, feeling out of place due to his discomfort with Swiss traditions and longing for his home and a kind, loving man he called Papa.
- The story creates a contrast between the old-fashioned, whimsical ideas of the Willoughby children and the traditional, joyous celebration of the postmaster's wedding in the Swiss village.
- The text explores themes of tradition, belonging, and the challenges of planning a future when faced with limited options and circumstances.
- The story presents a blend of whimsical, old-fashioned elements with a sense of longing, displacement, and the search for belonging.
- The text intertwines the narratives of the Willoughby children and the events at the wedding, creating a juxtaposition of old-fashioned, unconventional plans and traditional, joyous celebrations.
- The story captures the children's struggle to navigate their futures in a world that seems to offer limited, old-fashioned options, while also depicting a traditional celebration in a Swiss village, highlighting themes of tradition, belonging, and the complexities of planning for the future.
The Willoughby Family After Their Adoption
- The Willoughby children were adopted by a commander and his wife and were renamed Bill and Joe.
- The note that was once attached to Baby Ruth, indicating a reward for the baby, was lost, along with the mystery of the Willoughby name.
- The third Barnaby was known as Junior, and later invented Junior Mints, which were already invented.
- Baby Ruth found her biological mother in Champaign, Illinois, and gifted her a gold-plated wicker basket as a souvenir.
- Ruth married her stepbrother Tim, who became an attorney and adored his wife, never being ruthless again.
- Bill and Joe never married and now operate a chain of clothing stores called Big Sweaters.
- Jane, who became a professor of feminist literature, married a man named Smith and had triplet daughters.
- The postmaster and his wife in Switzerland ran the post office efficiently for many years, never having children.
- Commander Melanoff, with his second wife and six children, visited Switzerland and stopped at the post office.
- The four former Willoughbys saluted their parents at the foot of a mountain and followed with cocoa.
- Glossary terms include "acquisition," "affable," "alabaster," "auspicious," "beastly," "bilious," "confectionary," "conspiracy," "contemplating," "cryptic," "despicable," and "diabolical."
- The text provides definitions and examples for the glossary terms.
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