Use a phrase from the text as evidence to support your answer.

1. The Lorn Milkmaid

What do you learn about Rhoda Brooks in this chapter?

What do you learn about Framer Lodge?
Why do you think their relationship ended?

2. The Young Wife

What do you learn about Gertrude Lodge in this chapter?

Include details about her looks and personality.

The Withered Arm : questions

What is Farmer Lodge’s attitude to his new wife?

What is Rhoda’s attitude to Gertrude?

3. A Vision

Describe what happens in Rhoda’s vision.

You may draw a picture of the scene.

Why do you think Rhoda has this vision?

Rhoda meets Gertrude for the first time in this chapter.

What does she think of her?

What is ironic about Gertrude bringing gifts to Rhoda and her son?

What is Gertrude’s ‘ailment’?

What do you think has caused this disfigurement?

Explain the phrase at the end of this chapter:

‘She knew she had been slyly called a witch since her fall.’
What do we learn about Rhoda’s character from this?

4. A Suggestion

What is the suggestion?

What does Farmer Lodge think of Gertrude’s arm?

What do you learn about the relationship between Farmer Lodge and Gertrude?

What does Rhoda secretly feel about Gertrude’s arm?

5. Conjuror Trendle

What is revealed to Gertrude Lodge by Conjuror Trendle?

What rumour develops about Gertrude’s arm?

What does Rhoda do?

Copyright  1999 www.teachit.co.uk

6. A Second Attempt

How long have Farmer Lodge and Gertrude been married now?

What has happened to their relationship?

What has Farmer Lodge considered doing and why?

What is Gertrude told to do by Conjuror Trendle and why?

How do you think Gertrude will respond to this suggestion considering what you
know about her personality?

The Withered Arm : questions

6. A Ride

Why did Gertrude follow the conjuror’s advice?

Why didn’t Gertrude tell her husband?

What evidence is there o a change in Gertrude’s personality?

6. A Water-side Hermit

What does Gertrude arrange with the hermit?

6. A Rencounter

How does Gertrude feel as she stands in front of the corpse?

Who comes to collect the body?

Who has been hanged?

Explain the twist in the story.

You may draw a picture of the scene.

What happens to Gertrude?

What happens to Farmer Lodge?

What happens to Rhoda?

Summary

Remember to give reasons for your answers and use evidence from the text.

Which part of the story did you enjoy most?

What do you think of each of the three main characters?

Summarise the relationships between the three main characters.

What were the reasons for the problems in the relationships?

Who do you blame for the death of Rhoda’s son and why?

Copyright  1999 www.teachit.co.uk