Question

i knew it was night-time now because that was when the italian bombers came over seven nights a week to raid our navy in alexandria harbour. i felt very calm and dreamy lying there listening to the terrific commotion of bombs and ack-ack going on outside. it was as though i had ear-phones on and all the noise was coming to me over the wireless* from miles and miles away.

i knew when the morning came because the whole ward began to bustle and breakfasts were served all round. obviously i couldnt eat because my whole head was sheathed in bandages with only small holes left for breathing. i didnt want to eat anyway. i was always sleepy.

• wireless a radio

going solo © 1986 by roald dahl nominee ltd, published by penguin books ltd. text and photograph reprinted by permission of david higham associates ltd.

1. how did dahl feel that night? include the following key words in your answer:

calm / ear-phones

Explanation:

According to the text, Dahl describes his feelings during the night-time bombing raid by stating, "I felt very calm and dreamy lying there..." He further explains his perception of the loud commotion by comparing it to wearing "ear-phones," which made the intense noise of the bombs and ack-ack fire sound distant, as if it were coming from miles and miles away.

Answer:

Dahl felt very calm and dreamy, as though he had ear-phones on and the noise of the bombs was coming from miles away.