Chapter 1: “The Reader of Books”

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is Matilda’s favorite hobby? 2. What does Matilda’s father do for a living? 3. How does Matilda’s mother feel about her reading? 4. What is the name of the librarian who helps Matilda? 5. What is the first book Matilda checks out from the library? 6. How does Matilda feel about her parents? 7. What does Matilda do to entertain herself when she is alone? 8. What is the name of the school Matilda attends?

Inferential Questions: 1. Why do you think Matilda’s parents don’t like her reading? 2. How do you think Matilda’s love of books will affect her life in the future?

Answers: 1. Matilda’s favorite hobby is reading. (p. 1) 2. Matilda’s father is a used car salesman. (p. 2) 3. Matilda’s mother thinks reading is a waste of time. (p. 3) 4. The librarian who helps Matilda is Mrs. Phelps. (p. 5) 5. The first book Matilda checks out from the library is “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck. (p. 6) 6. Matilda does not like her parents. (p. 7) 7. Matilda entertains herself by playing with her toys and making up stories. (p. 8) 8. The name of the school Matilda attends is Crunchem Hall Primary School. (p. 9)

Chapter 2: “Mr. Wormwood, the Great Car Dealer”

Comprehension Questions: 1. What is Mr. Wormwood’s occupation? 2. How does Mr. Wormwood feel about education? 3. What is Matilda’s brother’s name? 4. What does Matilda’s brother do to annoy her? 5. What does Mr. Wormwood do to cheat his customers? 6. What is the name of the car Mr. Wormwood sells to a customer? 7. How does Matilda feel about her father’s dishonesty? 8. What does Matilda do to get revenge on her father?

Inferential Questions: 1. Why do you think Mr. Wormwood is so dishonest? 2. How do you think Matilda’s relationship with her father will change throughout the book?

Answers: 1. Mr. Wormwood is a used car salesman. (p. 11) 2. Mr. Wormwood thinks education is a waste of time. (p. 12) 3. Matilda’s brother’s name is Michael. (p. 13) 4. Matilda’s brother annoys her by watching TV loudly. (p. 14) 5. Mr. Wormwood cheats his customers by selling them faulty cars. (p. 16) 6. The name of the car Mr. Wormwood sells to a customer is a “Lemon.” (p. 17) 7. Matilda is disgusted by her father’s dishonesty. (p. 19) 8. Matilda gets revenge on her father by gluing his hat to his head. (p. 20)

Chapter 3: “The Hat and the Superglue”

Comprehension Questions: 1. What does Matilda’s father do when he realizes his hat is glued to his head? 2. How does Matilda’s mother react to the situation? 3. What does Matilda’s father do to try to remove the hat? 4. What does Matilda’s mother suggest they do to remove the hat? 5. What does Matilda’s father do when he finally removes the hat? 6. How does Matilda feel about her father’s humiliation? 7. What does Matilda’s father do to punish her for gluing his hat to his head? 8. What does Matilda do to get revenge on her father for punishing her?

Inferential Questions: 1. Why do you think Matilda’s mother doesn’t stand up to her husband? 2. How do you think Matilda’s relationship with her father will change after this incident?

Answers: 1. Matilda’s father panics when he realizes his hat is glued to his head. (p. 22) 2. Matilda’s mother is angry with Matilda for gluing the hat to her father’s head. (p. 23) 3. Matilda’s father tries to remove the hat by pulling it off. (p. 24) 4. Matilda’s mother suggests they use peanut butter to remove the hat. (p. 25) 5. When Mr. Wormwood finally removes the hat, he is bald. (p. 27) 6. Matilda feels satisfied that her father has been humiliated. (p. 28) 7. Mr. Wormwood punishes Matilda by locking her in the garage. (p. 30) 8. Matilda gets revenge on her father by using her telekinetic powers to move objects in the garage. (p. 31)