Roald Dhal’s

The BFG

Studentworkbook

Pre reading activities

Select at least two of these activities to complete prior to reading Roald Dahl’s “The BFG”

Create a Roald Dahl poster that provides some interesting facts about the author and his books Create a mind map of as many Roald Dahl books that you can think of. Which ones have you

read? Write a brief explanation outlining what happens in them. Write a letter to Roald Dahl. Think about what things you might ask him. Create a poster about what you think The BFG is going to be about. Include a brief description. If you have already watched or read The BFG before, write a recount of the story.

During reading – Chapter questions

Chapter 1 - Witching HourWho is the first person we meet in The BFG?

What do you think the "Something very dark and very black and very thin" thing is?

Chapter 2 - Who?How do you think Sophie felt as she was looking out into the darkness and watching the Giant figure? What makes you think that?

What do you think the Giant blew through the Goochey children's bedroom?

Draw what you think the Giant looks like.

Chapter 3 - The SnatchHow could Sophie see what was happening while she was in the blanket?

What was the terrifying thought that Sophie had?

Chapter 4 - The CaveWhat was the curious change in the Giant's running?

Describe what Sophie saw once she could feel the Giant's feet pounding on the ground again.

Where did the Giant take Sophie?

Chapter 5 - The BFGPretend you are Sophie. Write a diary entry of what has happened to you so far.

Dear diary,

How is the BFG different from other giants?

Chapter 6 - The GiantsWhy did the BFG have to take Sophie?

What would happen to Sophie if she wandered off into Giant Country by herself?

Chapter 7 - The Marvellous EarsWhat makes the BFG sad?

What was the BFG doing with the trumpet shaped thing through the windows?

What is remarkable about the BFG's ears?

Dear diary,

Chapter 8 - SnozzcumbersThe BFG doesn't eat people like all the other giants do. What does he eat instead?

Draw a snozzcumber

How do giants come to be?

Chapter 9 - The BloodbottlerThe Bloodbottler comes into the BFG's cave to find out who he was talking to. As the Bloodbottler searches the cave Sophie has to find a hiding space. Where does she hide? Was it a safe hiding spot?

How does Sophie get out alive?

How do you think Sophie was feeling after this encounter?

Chapter 10 - Frobscottle and Whizzpoppers

What is unusual about the frobscottle?

The giant and Sophie argue about which way is the "wrong way" for bubbles to float. In this situation, who do you think is correct and why?

Spoonerism is an error where the beginning sounds of two or more words are accidentally swapped around. This happens to the BFG quite a lot. In the sentence "Upgoing bubbles is a catasterous disastrophe!" , underline the swapped around sounds, and then write what he was trying to say.

Chapter 11 - Journey to Dream CountryWhilst the BFG and Sophie both agree that the other giants are horrible and mean, he makes a point about the fact that humans in some ways are no better than giants after all. What point does he make?Draw a picture of what you think Dreaming Country looks like.

Chapter 12 - Dream CatchingRecount, briefly, what happens in this chapter.

Chapter 13 - A Trogglehumper for the Fleshlumpeater

Sophie is eight, yet the BFG explains she is only four. Why is this?

According to the BFG’s logic about how old Sophie is, how old would you be? Show your working.

What does the BFG do with the horrible "trugglehumper" dream?

Why do you think Sophie smiles as the BFG tells her of Jack, the one human that giants are afraid of?

Chapter 14 - DreamsIn this Chapter, the BFG shows Sophie some of his dream labels. Which of the dreams is your favourite, and why? You may wish to draw illustrations to go along with the dream. If you choose one of the short dreams, you need to write how you think it went in more detail.

Chapter 15 - The Great PlanExplain, in your own words, what Sophie's plan is?

Chapter 16 - Mixing the Dream

When the BFG is mixing the dream for the Queen together, there are parts of the dreams he is using

that aren't needed in the dream he is mixing. What happens to these extra bits of dreams?

Do you think Sophie and the BFG's plan is going to work? Why or why not.

Why does the BFG yell "Oweeee! Don't do that!"?

Chapter 17 -Journey to LondonThis is a map showing part of London. Find and circle Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner and Buckingham Palace.

If the BFG and Sophie started in the centre of Hyde Park, how many meters did they have to cover to get to Buckingham Palace (hint, use the legend on the bottom right of the map to help work this out)

Chapter 18 - The Palace

Buckingham Palace has a vast number of rooms. How do the BFG and Sophie find which one the Queen was sleeping in?

"Suddenly, unexpectedly, the BFG leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek.Sophie felt like crying". Why do you think Sophie wanted to cry at this gesture?

Chapter 20 - The QueenRetell what happens in this chapter as a four panel comic strip.

Chapter 21 - The Royal BreakfastDraw an illustration to show the scene at breakfast, labelling what Mr Tibbs, the butler, set up for the BFG to use as a table and chair.

Why did the Queen call the King of Sweden and the Sultan of Bagdhad?

How do you think Sophie and the BFG felt when the Queen summoned the Head of the Army and the Head of the Airforce?

What do you think is going to happen next?

Chapter 22 - The PlanHow do you think the Air Marshall and the Army General would have felt when the Queen explained to them what was happening?

What is the plan that they are going to use to capture the Giants?

Chapter 23 - Capture!Write a brief recount of what happens in this chapter.

What do you think was in the mysterious sack that the BFG grabbed before they left?

Chapter 24 - Feeding timeWhere did they put the giants once they got them back to England?

What was in the mysterious sack that the BFG had brought back with him? Why did he choose to bring that back with him?

What did the Queen mean by "You are not very well educated, but you are really nobody's fool. I can see that."?

Chapter 25 - The AuthorDraw a picture showing the BFG's house and Sophie's cottage.

What did Sophie teach the BFG?

Why is this chapter called "The Author"?

Post reading activitiesSelect at least two of these activities to complete after reading Roald Dahl’s “The BFG”

Write a review of the book Design your own book cover for the story Write a letter the BFG. What would you include? Write your own story about another adventure that Sophie and the BFG might get up to now.