Question

read the following passage from the landlady by roald dahl and answer the questions.
\that parrot,\ billy said at last. \you know something? it had me completely fooled when i first saw it through the window from the street. i could have sworn it was alive.\
\alas, no longer.\
\it’s most terribly clever the way it’s been done,\ he said. \it doesn’t look at all stiff. who did it?\
\i did.\
\you did?\
\of course,\ she said. \and have you met my little basil as well?\ she nodded towards the dachshund curled up so comfortably in front of the fire. billy looked at it. and suddenly, he realized that this animal had all the time been just as silent and motionless as the parrot. he put out a hand and touched it gently on the top of its back. the back was hard and cold, and when he pushed the hair to one side with his finger, he could see the skin underneath, greyish - black and dry and perfectly preserved.

1. what does the landlady reveal about the stuffed parrot?

a. she bought it from a taxidermist
b. she stuffed it herself
c. it had recently passed away
d. it was a family heirloom

1. how did billy react when he touched the dachshund?

a. he didn’t notice anything unusual
b. he realized it was hard, cold, and stuffed
c. he found it warm and alive
d. he felt its heartbeat

Explanation:

First Question (What does the landlady reveal about the stuffed parrot?):

From the dialogue, the landlady says "I did" when Billy asks who did the (stuffed) parrot. This implies she stuffed it herself. Option a: no mention of buying from taxidermist. Option c: the parrot is stuffed, not recently dead. Option d: no mention of family heirloom.

The text says "The back was hard and cold... perfectly preserved", showing he realized it was hard, cold, and stuffed. Option a: he noticed unusual (hard/cold). Option c: it's stuffed, not warm/alive. Option d: no heartbeat as it's stuffed.

Answer:

b. She stuffed it herself

Second Question (How did Billy react when he touched the dachshund?):