Chapter 4

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t
• Leerjaar 3

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Chapter 4

The people Gretel saw from Bruno’s window weren’t just children. 

Next to small boys, there were also adult men, both fathers and grandfathers. 

Gretel asked who these people were and where all the girls and women were, but Bruno had no answers.

Chapter 4

The view from the window: directly beneath the window lay a large garden full of flowers. Past the garden was a wooden bench with a plaque on it. About twenty feet behind the bench was a huge wire fence, taller than the house and going far into the distance. Tangled spirals of barbed wire snaked along the top of the fence, which made Gretel uncomfortable. 

Beyond the fence there was no grass, only dirt, and aside from the people, the only things on the other side were low huts, square buildings, and a couple of smokestacks.

Chapter 4

Gretel suggested they were in the countryside since it looked so different from the city, but Bruno pointed out that Out-With had no farmers or animals and that the soil didn’t look like it could grow anything. Gretel agreed. 

There were hundreds of people. Some stood in groups, some hobbled on crutches, and others carried spades. The children were dirty, and some were crying. Gretel said that she didn’t want to play with these children, then she left. Bruno remained at the window, thinking about the fact that all the people were wearing the same outfit: a pair of striped pajamas and a grey striped cap.

What did Gretel and Bruno see?

1. children
2. children and men
3. children, men and grandfathers
4. children, men and women

What was Gretel's explanation for the view?

1. it was the countryside
2. it was the city
3. it was normal
4. it was a concentration camp

Why did Gretel not want to play with the kids they saw outside?

1. they were mean
2. they were dirty
3. they were too young
4. they were too old

What were the people outside wearing?

Read your book