Chapter 1

Pre-reading Questions:

1. Define allusion (see above literary terms)

2. Define the following vocabulary: Indignant

Coiner

Cistern 3. Look at the title of the chapter. Below list a few words that you think of when you see the word “wrong”. Now list a few that you think of when you see the word “door”.

During reading Questions:

1. What does the narrator say is really important about this story?

2. Look up the following allusions made in Chapter 1. What do they have to do with the story?

Sherlock Holmes

Bastables

Eton collar

Treasure Island

3. At the beginning of the chapter, how does Lewis portray the time period?

4. What is Polly Plummer like when you first meet her?

5. Why is Digory crying?

6. What’s strange about Digory’s aunt and uncle?

7. What is the smuggler’s cave?

8. “Grown-ups are always thinking of uninteresting explanations.” Who says this? Why might it be important to the story?

9. What was D and P’s original plan in the attic? Where did they end up? 10. “If Polly had been a very little younger she would have wanted to put one in her mouth.” What would Polly have put in her mouth?

11. How did D and P act around Uncle Andrew? What does this say about his character?

12. What happens to Polly at the end of the chapter?

Post-reading Questions:

1. What do you think Digory will do?

2. How are D and P different?