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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSWhen Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire receive the terrible news that their parents have died in a fire that destroyed their home, they are placed in the care of a distant relative named Count Olaf, a scheming, sharp-eyed actor who treats the three children as servants and watches their every move. Violet is fourteen and loves inventing; Klaus, twelve, devours books; and baby Sunny bites everything in sight. Their only comfort is the warm next-door neighbor Justice Strauss, a judge who lets them use her private library. But Count Olaf has something more sinister in mind than chores and cold oatmeal, and the orphans soon realize they will have to rely on their own wits to survive.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events). Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book is the oldest sister an inventor who ties her hair up with a ribbon to think clearly?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
Violet is fourteen and loves building inventions. Whenever she is concentrating on a problem, she pulls her hair back with a ribbon to keep it out of her eyes, a habit that becomes her signature throughout the story.
- First half
In what book is a real judge asked to play the part of a judge in a stage wedding?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
Justice Strauss is delighted to act in the play, not knowing that her real authority as a judge is exactly what would make the marriage binding. Her innocent excitement is what Count Olaf is counting on.
- First half
In what book does a boy read that actors once performed Macbeth without any clothing?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
Searching for a legal reason to stop the performance, Klaus finds an old account of a Macbeth production where the actors wore nothing and the police shut it down. It does not help, but it shows how thoroughly the children research.
- Second half
In what book does a boy find his baby sister missing under a pile of curtains?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
Klaus pulls back the curtains that served as the baby's bed and finds her gone. Count Olaf has had her kidnapped to force the children to cooperate with his scheme.
- Second half
In what book does a girl agree to marry a wicked man to save her dangling baby sister?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
To stop Count Olaf from dropping baby Sunny from the tower, Violet promises to go through with the wedding. It is the moment the children seem to have lost, with no way out.
- Near the end
In what book is a boy stuffed into an itchy sailor suit that makes him look like a toddler?
✓ Answer
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
Backstage, the white-faced women dress Klaus in a scratchy blue sailor suit for his small role. He stares at his ridiculous reflection while his sister is forced into a bridal gown.
