Witches Workbook
Witches Workbook
Witches Workbook
WORKBOOK
You will be reading The Witches by Roald Dahl for the next two weeks.
Make sure that you read the same chapters everyday. It is best if you read out loud!
WEEK 1
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5. Why isn’t there a “tremendous fuss” when witches do things to children in Norway?
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7. Why do you think his grandmother won’t tell him about the time she encountered a
witch?
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8. Why did Luke and his grandmother have to return to England? How did they feel about
it? Why?
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11. Describe Luke’s first encounter with a witch? How did he escape?
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12. What happened to Luke’s grandmother with only three weeks of summer left? Where did
they decide to vacation? Why?
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13. What gift did Luke’s grandmother give him? What did he plan to do with them?
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14. Where did Luke go to work with his pets? Why did he choose this location?
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The author seems to enjoy using ALLITERATION – a literary device where the author repeats the
same sound at the beginning of several words. Here's an example of an alliteration:
Using your imagination, create your own examples of alliteration using three out of the five
following topics. Each example must contain a minimum of three words.
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"I could see the tremendous battle raging on high above our heads. The eagle began circling the
small red object, over and over, almost seeming to taunt it's prey. He let out one final scream,
which echoed swiftly around the canyon walls, then grasped the object firmly in it's razor sharp
claws. All of a sudden, the nearly deafening sound of the balloon bursting in mid air sent the eagle
into immediate cardiac arrest, and he plummeted down into the hard rocks below.”
Why do you think personification is a popular literary device used by many authors?
Create your own example of personification.
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EXAGGERATION is a literary device which often adds excitement to a passage. Here's an example
of exaggeration:
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A summer windstorm.
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2. Why was the Grand High Witch upset with the witches of England?
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4. What did the Grand High Witch want all the other witches to do?
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7. Where does the Grand High Witch want the children to be when the formula starts
working?
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10. Why should not the witches increase the dose of the formula?
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15. What does the Grand High Witch smell? What does she order the other witches to do?
Why?
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WEEK 2
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4. How did Bruno react to the news that he was also a mouse? Why?
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7. How did Luke and his grandmother plan to stop the Grand High Witch and her evil plans?
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8. How will Luke get into the Grand High Witch’s hotel room?
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9. What did Luke notice when he got into the Grand High Witch’s room?
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11. What happened when Luke was about leave the room?
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12. What did the Grand High Witch do once she entered the room? What did she tell the
frogs?
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13. Why did the Grand High Witch head out to the balcony?
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14. Who came to visit the Grand High Witch? Why have they come?
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15. How did Luke manage to get out of the Grand High Witch’s hotel room?
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“. . . said The Grand High Witch. 'Cooked like a carrot. You vil never see her again. Now vee can
get down to business."
Invent your own similes comparing the following items with something from your own imagination:
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The author loves to use unusual words, such as bashvolloping, and bogvumper. Your task is to
make up three words of your own, and list the definition for each.
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2. ____________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
1. What happened when Luke’s grandmother tried to return Bruno to his parents? Why?
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4. What did Luke’s grandmother remind him about in Ch. 17? What did he use this part of
his body for?
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6. What happened to Luke after he poured the formula into the soup?
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7. How did Luke escape from the kitchen? Include details in your answer.
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8. What does Luke want to do once he returns to his grandmother’s table? Why?
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9. Why did Mr. Jenkins come to their table? How did he react to Bruno? Why?
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11. What did Luke’s grandmother do with Bruno? How did his mother react?
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12. Where did they go once they left the hotel? Why?
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13. What types of inventions did his grandmother create to make life easier for Luke?
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14. What does Luke’s grandmother tell him about his life span and his heart? How does he
react to the information? Why?
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15. What work will they do for the rest of their lives? Why?
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climax
resolution
introduction
The Witches
The Witches Junior Lab° Junior
Glossary
v.
sizzle
to make the hissing or crackling sound of frying fat or oils
n.
territory
an area or region of land
v.
whizz
to fly or rush past with such a sound
adj.
bloodthirsty
eager to cause or interested in acts of bloodshed; cruel
v.
squelch
to cause to make a squishing, sucking sound
v.
stalk
to track and follow
n.
wretch
one who is desperately poor, unhappy, or unfortunate
v.
tread
to step or walk on, in, or along.
v.
shrivel
to cause to wrinkle or become smaller
n.
ghoul
an evil spirit that is believed to eat people and dead bodies.
n.
barghest a monstrous, goblin dog, with huge teeth and claws, that appears
only at night
v.
gaze
to look steadily
Chapter 2: My Grandmother
adj.
peculiar
odd, strange, or unusual.
v.
shiver
to tremble or shake
n.
claw
a thin, sharp, curved nail on the foot of an animal
v.
interrupt
to cause to stop; break off
adj.
bald
having little or no hair on the head
n.
complication
something that makes a situation more difficult or complicated
n.
arrangement the act of putting things in order or in some particular way that is
desired
adj.
vicious
wicked; evil
adj.
foul
very unpleasant to taste, smell, or look at
adj.
gruesome
frightening in a disgusting way; horrible
v.
appall
to cause to feel shock or horror
n.
flea-powder a powder for dogs and cats that contains a substance which kills
fleas
n.
pheasant
a large bird with a long tail and bright feathers.
v.
pluck
to grab with the fingers and pull off; pick
adj.
frantic
very excited by worry or fear; frenzied
adj.
clever
having a bright, sharp, and quick mind; intelligent
v.
peel
to pull, tear, or cut the outer covering from
v.
retire
to give up a job or career
n.
tommyrot
nonsense; rubbish
n.
corridor
a hall or passageway
n.
consolation
an act or instance of consoling
n.
sleeve the part of a shirt, dress, or other garment that covers all or part of
the arm
n.
trick
an act of skill or magic
n.
chambermaid a woman whose job is to clean and straighten hotel rooms or
bedrooms
adj.
splendid
beautiful or grand; making a strong impression.
v.
prevent
to keep or stop from happening.
v.
milling
to grind or crush in a mill.
adv.
adorable
very cute; lovable; deserving of being loved.
n.
nape
the back of the neck.
n.
dandruff a thin white crust of dead skin that forms on the scalp and is shed
in flakes.
n.
matron a married woman, usu. of mature age, with an established and
dignified position in the community.
n.
turpentine
a mixture of oil and resin from certain pines and other related trees.
n.
nit
the egg or young of a louse or other parasitic insect.
v.
leap
to spring into the air, moving straight up or to another position.
v.
dash
to throw or toss with great force so as to break.
v.
cope to handle or deal with in a successful way (often followed by
"with").
hypnotize v.
adj.
eager
wanting very much
adj.
gigantic
like a giant; huge
v.
grin
to smile broadly, so that the teeth are showing
n.
trunk the body of a human or animal, not including the head, neck, arms,
and legs
n.
poison a substance that can kill or seriously harm living beings if it is
swallowed, breathed, or otherwise taken in
n.
formula a rule or way of doing something expressed in a standard way
using words or symbols
n.
whiff
a faint smell carried on the air
n.
presence
the state or condition of being in a place at a certain time
v.
gloat to feel or show great pride or satisfaction, often when someone
else does badly or fails
v.
gasp
to breathe in gasps; struggle for breath; pant
v.
dispose
to place or arrange
v.
scamper
to run quickly or playfully
v.
concoct
to make by putting together a number of parts or ingredients
v.
simmer
to cook in a liquid that is kept near the boiling point
adj.
genuine
true to what is claimed; real
adj.
triumphant
having achieved a great success or victory
adj.
tender
easily chewed or crushed; not tough; soft
n.
overdose
too high a dose of medicine or drugs
adj.
meek patient and mild; not easily angered or upset, even when treated
unfairly
n.
chant a song that is sung on the same note or the same few notes
throughout
adj.
feeble
without strength; weak in body or mind
adj.
ridiculous
silly; foolish; laughable
n.
nostril
one of the two outside openings in the nose
v.
dodge
to avoid something by moving quickly aside or changing direction
adj.
hideous
looking very ugly or frightening; disgusting
adj.
sheer
thin or fine enough to see through
v.
rattle
to make a series of hard, short knocking sound
v.
seize
to take hold of in a quick, forceful way; grab
adj.
bound
on the way to; headed
adj.
absolute
precise; exact
n.
kettle
a wide, deep pot used for boiling liquids, such as water or soup
v.
scorch
to burn slightly
adj.
pulpy
of or like pulp; soft or mushy
n.
carbuncle
a dark gemstone, esp. a ruby sapphire
v.
skitter
to skip, bounce, or glide lightly and quickly over a surface
adj.
cautious
taking care to avoid danger or trouble; careful
n.
marble a kind of stone that can be cut and polished to a hard, shiny
surface. There are many kinds and colors of marble
adj.
faint
weak or slight
v.
dribble
to drip or flow slowly in drops
n.
murmur a sound that is soft, muffled, and ongoing, like the sound made by
quiet conversation
v.
console
to give comfort in time of loss or suffering; make less sad
v.
stare
to look in a steady, fixed way, with the eyes open wide
v.
brew
to make by soaking in boiling water
n.
dose
an amount of medicine to be taken at one time or at certain times
n.
bargain
an agreement that contains the terms of a transaction or exchange
n.
railing
a barrier or fence made of posts and rails
v.
clutch
to keep in a firm grasp; hold tightly; grip
v.
darted
to move quickly; dash
v.
peering
to look hard or closely to see something better
v.
mutter
to speak in a low tone that is hard to understand; mumble
v.
snapped to speak in a short, sharp, or annoyed way (usually followed by
"at")
n.
dither
a state of excitement, nervousness, or indecision
v.
burble
to make a soft bubbling sound or murmur
adj.
immense
very large; huge
n.
bosom
the breasts or chest of a human
n.
lounge
a room or area where people can relax or wait
n.
bulgy
a rounded or swollen part caused by pressure from below or within
v.
poke
to push or jab with a thin or sharp object
v.
march
to walk with steady, regular steps together with others
v.
frown
to wrinkle the forehead to show anger, unhappiness, or confusion
n.
alarming
sudden fear caused by possible danger
v.
scuttle
to move or run as if in a hurry; scurry
Interjection
golly used as an exclamation of mild surprise, wonder, puzzlement, or
the like
n.
cranny
a small opening in a wall, rock, or other solid mass; crack or crevice
v.
squash
to press, beat, or crush into a flat mass
adj.
frisky
lively and playful
adj.
tense
unable to relax one's body or emotions
n.
clasp
a device with two parts that fit together, used to fasten something
n.
caress
a soft or gentle touch that shows love or affection
v.
stride
to walk with long, even steps
n.
devilment
devilish behavior; mischief
adj.
cross
in a bad mood
v.
stammer to speak in an anxious or uncertain way. People who stammer
often repeat sounds and stop between words
v.
splutter
to utter in a rapid, disjointed manner, as in anger or confusion
adj.
mischievous
tending to behave in an annoying or mildly harmful way
adj.
stiff
not easy to bend
adj.
massive
having a very large amount of matter; big and heavy; solid
v.
swarm
to come together or move as a large group or mass
v.
brandish to wave or shake (something such as a weapon) in a threatening
or agitated manner
n.
instinct
the cause of natural behavior that is not learned in any species
adj.
shrill
having a high, sharp sound
n.
envy
a feeling of wanting what someone else has
v.
droop
to hang or sink down; bend in a limp manner
adv.
presto
quickly or suddenly
v.
rig
to make ready for use by attaching sails, lines, and rope
adj.
ingenious
clever or creative in setting up or working through problems
v.
fondling
to touch or stroke in a tender way
n.
honour
high public value or respect
n.
baroness
a noblewoman of a particular rank by birth or by marriage
n.
charity
a group or organization that helps people in need
n.
retinue a group of attendants or other employees who accompany a
prominent person
v.
heave
to push up or out with great effort
v.
snoop
to look into others' affairs or possessions in a secret way
n.
cropper a person who raises crops on someone else's land, in return for a
share of the harvest; sharecropper.
v.
disguise
to change or hide the looks of in order to prevent recognition
v.
thrilled
to cause to feel a sudden, sharp excitement