Question 1 of 10
The engine 'conking out in a series of coughs and splutters'. What technique is used here?
A) A simile — comparing the engine to a sick person using 'like'
B) Alliteration — repeating the same letter sounds
C) Personification — the engine is given human actions (coughing and spluttering) as if it's a sick person
D) Hyperbole — exaggerating how loud the engine is
Question 2 of 10
'Leaving ribbons of yellow silk speared on the thorn hedge like breaking willow buds'. Why is this simile effective?
A) It creates unexpected beauty in a violent moment — torn racing silks on thorns look like delicate spring buds
B) It shows that the race is taking place near willow trees
C) It proves that Mark is not seriously hurt
D) It shows that the weather is warm and sunny
Question 3 of 10
Christina was 'utterly calm because there was nothing she could do'. This shows...
A) She is brave and fearless, nothing can scare her
B) A realistic reaction to helplessness — when you can't change events, a numb calm can take over
C) She doesn't care about Mark or William
D) She has already seen this happen many times before
Question 4 of 10
The crowd's roar changed to 'a frantic, amazed gabble'. What does this change tell us?
A) The crowd has started singing a different song
B) Everyone has suddenly gone quiet
C) The crowd is happier than before and talking excitedly about the race
D) The crowd has shifted from excited cheering to panicked, confused babbling — their shock turns organised sound into chaos
Question 5 of 10
Treasure 'went straight through the obstacle as if it did not exist'. This tells us the horse is...
A) Very well trained at jumping obstacles
B) Moving slowly and carefully to avoid getting hurt
C) So terrified that nothing can stop it — its fear is stronger than any physical barrier
D) Made of metal and cannot feel the thorns
Question 6 of 10
The afternoon's entertainment had 'an almost comic inevitability'. 'Inevitability' means...
A) Something that is certain to happen and cannot be prevented
B) Something that is very unlikely to happen
C) Something that has already finished
D) Something that is invisible and cannot be seen
Question 7 of 10
The 'stricken' Emma Four was coming down. Stricken means...
A) Brand new and working perfectly
B) Seriously damaged or distressed — suffering badly
C) Flying very fast and skilfully
D) Invisible to the crowd below
Question 8 of 10
William was 'saving his own skin'. This idiom means...
A) Applying sunscreen to protect from sunburn
B) Selling animal hides at the market
C) Trying to save his own life — focused entirely on survival
D) Being selfish and not caring about others
Question 9 of 10
Mark was 'flung violently from the saddle'. The word 'flung' suggests...
A) He climbed down from the horse gently and carefully
B) He jumped off the horse to escape
C) He slid slowly sideways from the horse
D) He was thrown with great force, suddenly and without control
Question 10 of 10
Christina watched with 'a sense of doom'. Doom means...
A) A feeling that something terrible is about to happen and cannot be stopped
B) A feeling of excitement about a surprise
C) A feeling of being very tired and wanting to sleep
D) A feeling of hunger after missing lunch