‘Propping Up The Line’: Alice’s experiences on the Home Front | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

In 'Propping Up The Line' (World at war: short stories) what perspective does Ian Beck choose to write from?

• Alfred's perspective

• Nell's perspective

• Alice's perspective

• first person perspective

• third person perspective

Answer explanation

Beck doesn't use "I" in his story, showing he doesn't inhabit the character of Alfred. He does, however, still develop and recount Alfred's internal thoughts and feelings, as well as the internal thoughts and feelings of his daughter, Nell.

In 'Propping Up The Line' (World at war: short stories) where and when is Alfred, a soldier, fighting?

• the Home Front, World War One

• the Home Front, World War Two

• the Western Front, World War One

• the Western Front, World War Two

Answer explanation

Beck's story has two settings: a trench in France where Alfred experiences the gas attack, and then England where we are given insight into how the gas attack during World War One impacts the rest of Alfred's life.

In 'Propping Up The Line' (World at war: short stories) what do we know of the character of Alice, Alfred's wife?

• She is a carpenter.

• She leaves Alfred, unable to cope with the effects of the gas attack.

• She supports Alfred after the gas attack.

• She wants Alfred to share his experiences of war.

• She works in a munitions factory while Alfred is fighting.

Answer explanation

Beck gives insight into the internal feelings of Alfred and Nellie in his short story, but we learn much less about Alice, Alfred's wife. We have to make educated guesses (inferences) about her by considering her actions and dialogue.

In 'Propping Up The Line' (World at war: short stories), Alfred doesn't tell Alice of his experiences of the trenches, saying that it was his problem to carry. What word does he use to suggest this?

• issue

• burden

• worry

Answer explanation

This metaphor reveals the impact the trenches have, and will continue to have, on Alfred. The memories feel like a physical weight, a weight he has to carry alone.

In 'Propping Up The Line' (World at war: short stories), the character of Alice is described as "dignified" but also " (a)   ".

Answer explanation

This description perhaps reveals why we don't get many of Alice's internal thoughts in the story - she is meant to be presented as a slightly unknowable character.