The Landlady - Writer's Craft

Para 5: "He was wearing a new navy-blue overcoat, a new brown trilby hat, and a new brown suit..."

Why does the writer repeats the word "new"?

• To emphasize how inexperienced Billy was.

• To emphasize how much Billy wanted a fresh start.

• To highlight how pristine Billy was in his appearance.

• To show how much Billy took pride in his appearance.

Para 5: "He walked briskly down the street. He was trying to do everything briskly these days. Briskness, he had decided, was the one common characteristic of all successful businessmen. The big shots up at Head Office were absolutely fantastically brisk all the time."

What does the repetition of the word "brisk" suggest about what characteristic Billy is attracted to? (There is more than one answer)

• Busyness

• Confidence

• Efficiency

• Decisiveness

Para 12: "Each word was like a large black eye staring at him through the glass, holding him, compelling him, forcing him to stay where he was and not to walk away from that house, and the next thing he knew, he was actually moving across from the window to the front door of the house, climbing the steps that led up to it, and reaching for the bell."

What is the intended effect when the writer used a long sentence to describe Billy's reaction?

• Billy was spellbound and unable to control his actions

• Billy was decisive in deciding where to stay in Bath.

• Billy was surprised how quick he made a decision.

Para 13: "Far away in a back room he heard it ringing, and then at once — it must have been at once because he hadn’t even had time to take his finger from the bell-button — the door swung open and a woman was standing there."

How did Billy feel when the door was opened swiftly after he pressed the door bell?

• surprised

• amazed

• impressed

• mesmerised

From para 14, identify a phrase that suggests that Billy was startled by the woman's sudden appearance.

Which other phrase in para 16 suggests that Billy was under a spell?

"the moment she saw him, she gave him a warm welcoming smile."

What impression did the woman give to Billy?

• kind

• gentle

• meek

• friendly

Para 29: "She seemed terribly nice."

Why does the writer use an oxymoron to describe the woman?

• To emphasize that Billy was surprised by her generous hospitality.

• To emphasize that Billy found her service horrendous.

• To emphasize that Billy found her pretentious.

From Para 1: "But the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks."

What effect do the underlined words gives about the setting?

• ominous

• adventurous

• lonely

• cold

What made Billy suspicious of the Landlady?