These exercises were sent in by Jocelyn Allen, an Australian teaching English in Germany. They have been specially designed for non native English speakers. Thanks Jocelyn!
1. After reading the introduction, stop and try to plot the rest of the storyline in no more than 5 points.
2. The narrator uses the following words to describe his car. What does this tell us about his personality?
- exciting toy
- terrific acceleration
- genuine soft leather
- finest quality
3. What motivates the driver to stop for the hitchhiker?
4. Roald Dahl’s stories feature unique, easily imagined characters. Search the story for descriptions of the hitchhiker. Consider his appearance, behaviour, personality and speech.
5. What is your reaction to the comment ‘I never bet on horses’ he said. ‘I don’t even watch ’em run. That’s a stupid silly business’ ? (p140)
6. At what point in the story do you begin to have suspicions about the intentions, background or behaviour of the hitchhiker?
7. There are various examples of scenes where the tone, action or pace of the story changes. This would be especially obvious if you were reading the story aloud. Quote 2 examples and explain what the writer achieves.
8. What you think the author is suggesting to his readers about one of the below themes? Use 2 quotes to support your view:
- police and laws
- crime and punishment
- success and failure
- truth and lies
- wealth and poverty.
9. The Hitchhiker ends ‘happily ever after’. How does Dahl create a cheerful, amusing conclusion?
10. Explain the following words / phrases:
| popped up to growl thumbing a lift to squeeze in guv’nor lousy mugs nosey parkers despise crummy a tidy packet roundabout dual carriageway to jam to slack off to loom up lamely prop stand to keep mum executioner breeches smouldering to dash mocking a big gob of spit offence for a spell the clink hefty into the bargain |
summons whopping tremendously copper to be ashamed crafty peculiar queer daft to glance twerp titchy conjurer crummy card – sharp flabbergasted triumphant to hitch up to flog huffily to nick publishers pickpocket vulgar amateur to queue up bundle thoroughly to announce to swerve |