What kind of novel is About a Boy?
A redemptive novel
A coming of age novel
A romance
What is the correct word for a coming of age novel?
Pseudonym
Nom de plume
Bildungsroman
What kind of structure does About a Boy follow?
About a Boy is written in two separate halves; the first from Will’s point of view, the second from Marcus’ point of view
About a Boy consists of alternate chapters written from Will’s or Marcus’ point of view
About a Boy has no set structure
From what perspective is the book narrated?
It is narrated from a limited first-person perspective
It is narrated from a limited second-person perspective
It is narrated from a limited third-person perspective
How could you describe the way Countdown, Home and Away, Worzel Gummidge etc are used?
They are contemporary references
They are television advertisements
They are inventions of the writer to create a fictional world
What is the effect of the literary reference to the Narnia books?
It shows that Will loves exploring in old wardrobes
It shows that Will read a lot as a child but also hints that he cannot grow up
It shows that Will wants Marcus to read these books so that they can discuss them
What metaphor does Hornby use to compare Will’s struggle to make Rachel take him seriously?
He compares Will’s struggle with being lost in a dark tunnel
He compares Will’s struggle with being stranded on a desert island with no water
He compares Will’s struggle with trying to climb a mountain
What simile is used to compare Marcus’ feelings about his mother’s attempted suicide?
Marcus compares his feelings with drowning in a lake
Marcus compares his feelings with standing in the path of an oncoming train
Marcus compares his feelings with those of a person standing on the edge of a cliff
How does Hornby incorporate humour into Will’s situation?
He makes Will invent a successful career
He makes Will invent a son
He makes Will tell a lot of jokes at the SPAT meeting
Which of the following is an example of irony in About a Boy?
You might as well stay for Neighbours now, Will said
You might as well stay for Neighbours now,
Will knew that Fiona was not his type
No, course not. That’d do me. I just want to be with her