Garden Heights Academy · Independent Novel Study

Part 6

for The BFG · Part 6 · Chapters 18–20

a novel by Roald Dahl

60 min6 Parts

This workbook is built on a solid pedagogical foundation, effectively integrating content and language learning based on the CLIL framework (Content and Language Integrated Learning), elevated by our unique 5th C — Connection — and an integrated Standardized Test section that weaves every SAT & TOEFL question type right into the novel, so learners build real test skills easily, naturally, and with fun.

💭 Before You Read · Just for Fun

No right or wrong answers — just think or chat about it: What table rule does your family have that might surprise a visitor? Have you ever been the guest who did not know the rules — and what did a kind host do? And if a guest could not fit at your table, what would you change: the guest, or the table?

What Happens in Part 6

The BFG and Sophie arrive at Buckingham Palace. Sophie slips through the Queen’s bedroom window and perches on the windowsill as the BFG peers in from outside. The Queen wakes to find Sophie there and, when she looks out, sees the BFG himself — polite, gentle, and real. Over a remarkable Royal Breakfast, the Queen orders a table extended through the window so the BFG can eat too. By the end of breakfast, the Queen has called in the Head of the Army and the Head of the Air Force to begin planning the capture of the man-eating giants.

What We Will Study

Focus	What It Means
Arriving at the Palace	How Dahl handles the moment of entering one of the world’s most famous buildings
The Queen	How Dahl portrays the Queen as dignified but open-minded — someone who listens
The Royal Breakfast	The comedy and warmth of the BFG eating at a table extended through a royal window

Copyright Notice

This is an independent study guide created by Garden Heights Academy to support reading comprehension and literary analysis. It contains original analysis questions and does not reproduce any text from the novel. The BFG is a work by Roald Dahl. This guide is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Roald Dahl, the Roald Dahl Story Company, or any associated rights holders. Students should read the original book, available from libraries and booksellers.

Part 1

Vocabulary

Study the key words from Chapters 18–20, then answer each question.

🧠Knowledge Bank · Giants Through the Ages

Folklore · Giants in MythGiants are far older than Dahl’s book; nearly every culture has told tales of enormous beings. In English folklore a boy named Jack climbs a beanstalk to a giant’s castle; Norse myths brimmed with frost giants at war with the gods; ancient Greek stories gave us the one-eyed Cyclops. Across these traditions giants usually mean one thing — a huge, hungry threat that a clever human must somehow outwit. Dahl knows this long tradition and plays a joke on it. His man-eating giants fit the old pattern perfectly, but his hero giant flips it upside down, being gentle where legend expects cruelty. That surprise only works because readers carry the ancient rule in their heads without even realizing it. When you meet the BFG, you are meeting centuries of storytelling turned gently on its side, proof that the oldest myths still shape the newest tales.

ⓘ The vocabulary words in this list are selected to help you understand and complete this workbook. Some may not appear verbatim in the original novel.

palacen.Ch.18

A large, grand official residence of a monarch or head of state

“The BFG stood outside the palace, his enormous head level with the upper-floor windows.”

magnificentadj.Ch.18

Impressively beautiful, elaborate, or grand; splendid

“Buckingham Palace was magnificent — enormous, golden-lit, and surrounded by silent gardens.”

bewilderedadj.Ch.19

Completely confused and unable to understand a situation

“The Queen was utterly bewildered — she had never expected to wake and find a child sitting on her windowsill.”

courteousadj.Ch.19

Polite, respectful, and considerate towards others

“The BFG was surprisingly courteous, bowing his head and speaking with great respect to the Queen.”

majesticadj.Ch.19

Having impressive beauty, scale, or dignity; grand and stately

“Even in her nightgown, the Queen had a majestic air — dignified and calm, even in the most extraordinary situation.”

astonishedadj.Ch.19

Greatly surprised and amazed by something unexpected

“Sophie was astonished by how calmly the Queen accepted the existence of a giant outside her window.”

accommodatev.Ch.20

To make room for someone or provide what they need; to fit in

“The Queen instructed her servants to accommodate the BFG by extending the breakfast table through the window.”

summonv.Ch.20

To officially call or order someone to come to you, especially by a person in authority

“The Queen summoned the Head of the Army and the Head of the Air Force to the Palace immediately.”

deployv.Ch.20

To organize and send military forces or resources into action

“The Queen’s plan was to deploy helicopters and soldiers to Giant Country to capture all nine man-eating giants.”

protocoln.Ch.18

A formal set of rules about how to behave in official or royal situations

“Sophie had not followed any royal protocol — she had simply appeared on the windowsill and told the truth.”

1Buckingham Palace was enormous, golden-lit, and grand. Which word describes something impressively beautiful and splendid?Ch.18

2True or False: “Bewildered” means feeling calm and completely sure about what is happening.Ch.19

3Fill in the blanks about the Queen’s behavior in Chapter 19.Ch.19

Word choices:courteousmajesticastonisheddeploysummon- some words will not be used

Even in her nightgown, the Queen had a air, remaining dignified and calm.

Sophie was by how calmly the Queen accepted everything.

4The BFG bowed and spoke respectfully to the Queen. Which word means polite and considerate in behavior?Ch.19

5True or False: To “summon” someone means to officially call or order them to come to you.Ch.20

6Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence about the Queen’s actions in Chapter 20.Ch.20

Word choices:summondeployaccommodateprotocolpalacemajestic- some words will not be used

The Queen told her servants to the BFG by extending the breakfast table through the window, and she planned to soldiers to Giant Country.

7True or False: “Protocol” means the formal rules about how to behave in official or royal situations.Ch.18

8The Queen needed to make space at the breakfast table for the BFG. Which word means to make room for someone or provide what they need?Ch.20

9True or False: “Majestic” describes something or someone that seems small, unimpressive, and ordinary.Ch.19

10Fill in the blank to complete the sentence.Ch.20

Word choices:summondeployprotocolmagnificentbewilderedcourteous- one word will be used

The Queen immediately decided to the Head of the Army and the Head of the Air Force to the Palace.

Part 2

Comprehension

How well do you understand Chapters 18–20?

🧠Knowledge Bank · Holding Two Worlds Side by Side

Reading Skill · Compare & ContrastTo compare is to find how two things are alike; to contrast is to find how they differ. Part 6 practically begs for both, because Dahl throws two worlds together: the rough, dark cave of Giant Country and the shining, polished grandeur of Buckingham Palace. Sophie moves between them, and so do we. Setting these worlds side by side sharpens each one — the palace looks more dazzling next to the cave, and the BFG’s wild manners stand out against the tidy rules of a royal breakfast. Writers arrange such contrasts on purpose, because differences pop most brightly when placed right beside their opposite. As you read, keep a mental chart of likenesses and differences: how the giant fits or clashes with this new world. The clash is where much of the humor lives, and comparing the two teaches you what each place truly means.

1How does Sophie get into the Queen’s bedroom in Chapter 18?Ch.18

2True or False: The Queen screams and calls the guards when she sees Sophie and the BFG at her window.Ch.19

3What is the Queen doing when Sophie first appears?Ch.19

4True or False: During the Royal Breakfast, the BFG sits inside the dining room at the table with the Queen.Ch.20

5Write the numbers 1–5 to show the correct order of events across Part 6. Number 1 = what happens first.Ch.18–20

The Queen summons the Head of the Army and Head of the Air Force to plan the capture.
The BFG and Sophie arrive at Buckingham Palace in the dark before dawn.
The Queen wakes, sees Sophie and the BFG, listens to their story, and believes them.
The Queen has the breakfast table extended through the window so the BFG can eat outside.
Sophie climbs through the Queen’s bedroom window and waits on the windowsill.

6Why does the Queen believe Sophie’s story about the man-eating giants?Ch.19

7True or False: The Queen’s decision to summon the Army and Air Force shows that she has accepted the reality of the giants and is taking action to stop them.Ch.20

8Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.Ch.18–20

Word choices:palaceQueenbreakfastwindowarmydream- some words will not be used

The Queen believed Sophie because she had experienced the BFG’s special , and the ate his breakfast outside the window while they planned what to do.

9Who does the Queen summon at the end of Chapter 20?Ch.20

10True or False: The Royal Breakfast scene is both funny (because of the absurdity of the situation) and moving (because the Queen treats the BFG with respect and dignity).Ch.20

Part 3

Literary Elements

Understanding HOW and WHY Dahl crafts Chapters 18–20 the way he does.

🧠Knowledge Bank · Dahl’s Craft in Part 6

Language · Idiolect SpotlightEvery person has a personal way of speaking — favorite words, odd grammar, a certain rhythm — and this fingerprint of speech is called an idiolect. The BFG’s idiolect is unmistakable: he tangles his grammar, swaps his sounds, and sprinkles gobblefunk into nearly every sentence. Set loose in the grand, formal palace, that homemade way of talking creates instant comedy, because his speech clashes so hard with the polite royal setting. But his idiolect does more than raise laughs; it makes him utterly himself. You could recognize a BFG line anywhere, even with no name attached, which is the surest mark of a character brought fully to life. Writers craft distinct voices so their characters never blur together on the page. As you read the palace scenes, listen for how his crooked, cheerful language keeps reminding you exactly who is speaking, no matter how fancy the room.

📚 Literary Devices in This Part · definitions & examples

Satire uses humor to gently mock or poke fun at customs, people, or institutions. Dahl has Sophie skip every rule of royal protocol — yet the Queen still listens — which gently makes fun of how stiff and formal palace life usually is.

Characterization is how a writer reveals what a character is like. Dahl shows the Queen’s calm, sensible, and kind nature through what she does — believing Sophie, acting quickly, staying composed — rather than through long direct descriptions.

Comic contrast creates humor by placing things that clash side by side. At the Royal Breakfast, the enormous, rough-mannered BFG is squeezed into a tiny, elegant, ultra-formal palace — and the mismatch is hilarious.

The questions below are mixed — not grouped by device. Decide which device each one is about.

1Sophie bypasses all the formal royal customs, and the Queen still takes her seriously. This gentle mockery of stiff royal protocol is an example of —Ch.18–19

2True or False: Dahl characterises the Queen mainly through her actions rather than through long direct descriptions.Ch.19–20

3Fill in the blanks with the correct words.Ch.20

Word choices:contrastpalacerhymesatiretension- some words will not be used

Humor built from a clash of opposites is called comic . The huge BFG looks especially funny inside the small, elegant royal .

4How does Dahl mainly reveal what the Queen is like?Ch.19–20

5True or False: Comic contrast creates humor by placing things that clash — like the giant BFG in an elegant palace — side by side.Ch.20

6Fill in the blanks with the correct words.Ch.18–19

Word choices:satireQueenrhymetension- some words will not be used

Using humor to gently mock formal customs is called . Even though Sophie ignores all protocol, the still listens to her warning.

7The comedy of the Royal Breakfast scene comes mainly from —Ch.20

8True or False: Satire uses humor to gently mock or criticize customs, people, or institutions.Ch.18–20

9Fill in the blanks with the correct words.Ch.19–20

Word choices:characterizationactionsrhymesatire- some words will not be used

Revealing what a character is like is called . Dahl shows the Queen’s good sense through her rather than by describing her directly.

10The Royal Breakfast plays a giant against a dainty palace — comic contrast — while SATIRE gently mocks the protocol around them. What saves the scene from mocking the QUEEN herself?Ch.18–20

Part 4

Think Deeper

Four deeper challenges — no single-word recall. Read, weigh the evidence, and reason it through.

🧠Knowledge Bank · What Good Leaders Do

Social-Emotional · LeadershipWhen the Queen is faced with a giant in her garden and a wild story of child-eating monsters, she could easily laugh, panic, or throw the strangers out. Instead she does the hardest and wisest thing: she listens. She weighs the evidence, believes a frightened orphan and an odd giant, and only then uses her power to act. Dahl is quietly showing what real leadership looks like — not shouting orders, but paying close attention to those beneath you and taking their warnings seriously. Notice that the Queen does not care that Sophie is only a small, parentless child; she treats the girl’s words as fully worthy of belief. That willingness to include and trust the powerless is exactly what lets the plan go forward. A good leader, the story suggests, measures greatness not by how loudly you can command but by how well you truly hear.

1Claim: “The Queen believes the giants are real because the dream and Sophie match.” — choose the two details that best prove it.Claim & Evidence

2Part of the plan to convince the Queen, or just a detail of the palace? Tap each item to send it left or right.Sort into two

◄ Part of the planJust a palace detail ►

3Match each cause to its result. For each cause, pick its result.Cause & Effect

The BFG blows in the special dream→

The Queen wakes with a start→

The dream and the girl match→

The Queen is now convinced→

4Fill both blanks to complete the reasoning.Build the Argument

Seeing Sophie on the sill convinces the Queen because , which shows that .

Part 5

Standardized Test · Reference & Sentence Simplification

Part 6 introduces two TOEFL specialities — Reference (what a pronoun points back to) and Sentence Simplification (keeping a long sentence’s core meaning) — alongside Vocabulary in Context, Factual Detail and Inference, in the styles the SAT and TOEFL use. Read the passage (the highlighted words are tested below), then choose the answer best supported by the text.

🎓Knowledge Bank · Pronouns and Long Sentences

Test Skills · Part 6For a Reference question, take each candidate and read it back into the sentence in place of the pronoun — only the true owner reads smoothly. For Sentence Simplification, first say the long sentence’s core in your own words (WHO does WHAT, and WHY it matters); then pick the choice that keeps that core. The traps either drop half the meaning or quietly change who does what — decoration may go, meaning may not.

Sit down to eat anywhere on Earth and you enter a rulebook nobody hands you. Table customs vary astonishingly from culture to culture. In Japan, slurping noodles compliments the cook; in Britain, the same sound draws frowns. In much of India and the Middle East, eating with the right hand is proper and expected. The rules differ, but their purpose is everywhere the same: a meal is a message. Every culture uses its table to say you are welcome, you are safe.

That is why hosts take such trouble — and why the deepest courtesy is not knowing every rule, but making the guest feel honored. A skilled host will quietly bend her own customs to spare a visitor embarrassment; she treats the PERSON as the point, and the etiquette as the servant. So travelers are taught two habits. First, observe before acting: watch your host, copy the broad strokes, and nobody is offended by an honest effort. Second, remember that a mistake made warmly beats perfection made coldly: a friendly gesture in the wrong etiquette is forgiven everywhere on Earth. The fork may be foreign — but warmth is the one custom every culture reads fluently.

Original passage written for Garden Heights — not a quotation from the novel.

1As used in the passage, the word “customs” most nearly means —SAT · Words in Context

2In the passage, the word “vary” is closest in meaning to —TOEFL · Vocabulary

3According to the passage, what does slurping noodles mean in Japan?TOEFL · Factual Information

4In the passage, the word “she” in “she treats the PERSON as the point” refers to —TOEFL · Reference

5According to the passage, what is the shared purpose of table rules everywhere?TOEFL · Factual Information

6Which sentence best keeps the meaning of: “A skilled host will quietly bend her own customs to spare a visitor embarrassment; she treats the person as the point, and the etiquette as the servant”?TOEFL · Sentence Simplification

7In the passage, the word “offended” is closest in meaning to —TOEFL · Vocabulary

8According to the passage, what two habits are travelers taught?TOEFL · Factual Information

9The passage most strongly suggests that a host who rearranges her whole table so an unusual guest can join the meal is —TOEFL · Inference

10Prose Summary (TOEFL). Table manners differ around the world, but genuine warmth is understood everywhere. This TOEFL task lists six sentences; choose the THREE that best capture the passage’s main ideas. The other three do not belong — they state minor details or ideas the passage does not present.TOEFL · Prose Summary

Part 6 · Optional

Creative Writing

A bonus challenge to practice your English. Take your time and have fun with it.

About This Section

This writing task is optional and is not part of your auto-graded score. The feedback below checks only the basics — length, spelling, and grammar. It is meant for classroom discussion and creative practice, so feel free to use your imagination!

Writing Task — Part 6 “The Palace · The Queen · The Royal Breakfast”

You are a Palace servant who was present at the Royal Breakfast. Describe what you saw when you arrived with the breakfast trolley and discovered a little girl at the table and an enormous friendly giant sitting outside the window. What did you feel? What did you do? Write at least 40 words.

You can start with: “I pushed the breakfast trolley down the corridor as usual, but when I opened the dining room door, I stopped completely still because…”

0 / 40 words minimum

🗣 Teach It · Just for Fun (optional)

No right or wrong — close the screen and tell someone nearby what happened in this part. Can’t find anyone? Tell yourself out loud. The moment you teach it, you truly understand it.

Part 6 Complete!

You finished “The Palace · The Queen · The Royal Breakfast”

Here are your auto-graded results:

-

points out of 100

Your Writing

Your optional writing was checked automatically for length, spelling, grammar, and key parts of the scene. Scroll back to Part 5 anytime to read your feedback and improve your work.

Independent study guide by Garden Heights Academy. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Roald Dahl or the Roald Dahl Story Company. Contains original analysis only; no text from the novel is reproduced. Reference text: This workbook follows Roald Dahl’s classic text (the standard Puffin edition sold worldwide). Revised 2023 UK editions change some wording and may not match the vocabulary studied here.

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