List of words in chapter 2.

fatefull=verhängnisvoll; mantelpiece=Kaminsims; to rap=klopfen; to screech=schreien; to groan=stöhnen; to snap=anfahren; to punch=schlagen; to involve=verwickeln; skinny=mager; knobbly=rund; Sellotape=Klebstreifen; wig=Perücke; to wolf down=herunterschlingen; to scent=wittern; to grab=packen; to chuckle=kichern; to ruffle=zerzausen; remote-control=ferngesteuert; to rip=abreßen; to jerk=reißen; leap=Sprung; slug=Nachtschnecke; to screw up=zusammenkneifen; to wail=wimmern; to fling=werfen; sob=Schlucksen; frantically=verzweifelt; scrawny=dürr; fringe=Pony; baggy=ausgebeult; to shear off=scheren; to revolt=rebellieren; maniac=Verrückter; hoodlum=Rowdy; to yell=brüllen; beetroot=rote Bete; to snigger=kichern; lizard=Eidechse; to slither=rutschen; man-crushing=erdrückend; coil=Windung; to whine=jammern; to budge=bewegen; knuckle=Knöchel; to snooze=Nickerchen machen; to moan=stöhnen; to shuffle=scharren; intently=durchdringend; to wink=blinzeln; vigorously=energisch; to jab=stoßen; to peer=starren; deafening=ohrenbetäubend; to waddle=watscheln; howl=Geheul; to gasp=nach Luft schnappen; to uncoil oneself=sich entwinden; swifly=rasch; to gibber=schnattern; to squeeze=quetschen; to sneak=schleichen; to strain=strapazieren; to bow=verbeugen; furiously=wütend; bald=kahl; weirdest=seltsamste; baggy=ausgebeult

Summary of this chapter in five sentences

Harry is now ten years old and he hasn't had a good life at the Dursleys'. It is Dudley's birthday and every year they do something together with his friend Piers Polkiss without Harry. This year Mrs Figg can't look after Harry because she has got a broken leg and Harry has to come with them to the zoo, what Dudley of course doesn't like. Here Harry discovers his ability to talk to snakes and he unwillingly frees the boa-constrictor. The Dursleys are shocked and punish Harry .

(by Katharina, Annesuse, Martin, 9a)

1. Strange things happened during the first decade of Harry's life. What?
   Voldemort killed Harry's parents but he couldn't kill the baby Harry.
   Harry can't remember his parents. But sometimes when he strains his memory he comes up with a strange vision of a flash of green light and a burning pain on his forehead. People come and vanish at the moment Harry wants to look at them. He always dreams of flying motorbikes. Harry often finds himself on a chimney on the roof of the school instead of being behind a dustbin. A pullover gets smaller when Mrs Dursley tries to pull it over Harry's head. His hair grows to full size in one night after having been cut the day before. His clothes shrink so much after being washed that he can't wear them anymore. At the zoo he unwittingly frees the boa-constrictor.

2. Which of the Dursleys' rules does Harry break and how is he punished?
   Harry asks questions and he is not allowed to do this. When he tells the Dursleys about his unuasual dream he is barked at. For freeing the snake he is forced to stay in his cupboard for a week and he gets no meals. When his hair grows faster than allowed he is again punished with a week's stay in his cupboard.

3. Why does Harry empathize with the boa constrictor?
   Harry empathizes with the boa constrictor because he feels that he can understand its speech.

4. Why does Harry have dreams of flying motorbikes?
   Harry has dreams of flying motorbikes because when he was a baby he was brought to the Dursleys on a flying motorbike by Hagrid.

5. Where did Harry's scar come from? Where does he think it came from?
   Harry's scar came from a powerful curse in the attack by Voldemort. Harry thinks it came from the car crash in which his parents died, as he is always told this.

6. What are the two conflicts Dudley and Harry have in this chapter?
   The first conflict between Harry and Dudley is that Dudley always uses Harry as his punch-bag. Dudley doesn't want Harry to come with them to the zoo. The second conflict arises when Harry speaks to the snake and the snake begins to move. Dudley punches Harry in the ribs and wants him to go out of the way so he can see this.

7. Explain: "Harry felt, afterwards, that he should have known it was all too good to last?
   Harry isn't used to simply beautiful days.

8. Why did the Dursleys hate "talking about anything acting in a way it shouldn't?
   'acting in a way it shouldn't' means everything that has got to do with wizardry. They want to stamp out Harry's wizardry.

9. Why do his aunt and uncle treat Harry so badly? How do they treat Harry?
   They treat him so badly because he is the Potters' son and they hate their kind. They don't want Harry to get to know about his past and forbid him to ask questions. They don't want Harry because he isn't their son - he is a little wizard - and they only love Dudley.

   (by Martin, Katharina, Annesuse, Clarissa, 9a)

What is a fixed stare?
What does it mean to be "rooted to the spot"?
Explain the different meanings:

1. Harry woke with a start.
2. Dudley would start to throw a tantrum at almost anything.
3. When Dudley got mad he would scream.
4. Mrs Figg was a mad old lady.

'a fixed stare ' means that you look in a fixed manner at something. Your look seems to keep the same position.
'rooted to the spot' means that you are caused to stand fixed and unmoving.
In the first sentence 'start' means that Harry woke with a sudden movement of surprise or fear and in the second sentence it means 'to begin'.
In the first sentence 'mad' means filled with unreasonable enthusiasm and being very angry. In the second sentence it means having a diseased mind.

Find at least five verbs expressing the way the Dursleys treat Harry.
Write the verbs down and translate them into German. Use your dictionary.

Verbs used are:
'to punish'=bestrafen
'to yell at s.o.'=jemanden anbrullen
'to snap'=anfahren
'to shout'=schreien
'to screech'=schreien
'to punch'=schlagen
'to bark'=anbellen

(by Martin, Katharina, 9a)