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Madame Doubtfire
Anne Fine

About the author

Anne Fine was born in England, the daughter of a post
office engineer. She had four sisters, three of them triplets.
She says she cannot remember a time when she could not
read; from an early age she was a voracious reader. She
was happy at secondary school, and went to Warwick
University. There, in 1968, she met a young philosopher
called Kit Fine. They got married six weeks later.
After leaving university, Fine worked as a teacher. She
wrote her first novel, The Summer House Loon, after the
birth of her first child; she and her husband had very little
money, the weather was freezing, and she was suffering
from post-natal depression. I was writing for myself,
she says, to cheer and warm myself up. It was finished in
weeks. But I wasnt surprised when the book was turned
down. She later submitted the manuscript to a newspaper
competition for an unpublished childrens book. It didnt
win, but was a runner-up. At the award party she met an
agent who was keen to represent her, and the book was
published in 1978.
Fine and her husband lived in Scotland, Canada and
California. She continued writing childrens novels. At
first, although she was well reviewed, she made little
money from them. Then with books such as The Granny
Project and Bills New Frock, she began to achieve a wider
popularity. However, Anne became tired of California
All that relentless blue and gold. I would wake up
dreaming of a frosty morning and she returned to
England alone, with her two daughters.
She met her second husband, a botanist who grows fruit
trees in orchards, on a train to Edinburgh. He had his
two small children with him I watched him all the
way up and he was so nice to his kids. It was love at first
c Pearson Education Limited 2008

sight for her. She gave him her telephone number but a
year passed before they bumped into each other outside
a supermarket. They married and now live in a beautiful
house with a huge walled garden, in County Durham in
the north of England.
Anne Fine has now written about twenty-five books,
mostly childrens books, but including three adult novels.
Her childrens books have won many prizes. Fine says that
peace is essential to her writing. She takes her dog, Ben,
for a walk by the river, has breakfast, and then settles down
to work. She writes in pencil, rubbing out frequently.
She has no need of a second draft. She considers herself
extraordinarily lucky to be a writer. You learn so much,
she says. Even if you have invented somebody not at all
like you, you are still shining a light into your own self
and you are learning something.

Summary
Madame Doubtfire, written in 1987, is a very modern
story about a broken home. Daniel and Miranda
Hilliard, parents of three children, have separated and
are at war with one another. The book tells the amusing
and moving story of how Daniel and Miranda become
friends again.

Chapter 1
The story begins with Daniel and Miranda living apart.
Miranda is a successful businesswoman, and is deeply
angry with her husband, an impractical and frequently
out-of-work actor. Daniels saving grace is his sense of
humour that and his love of the children. Miranda is
making it difficult for Daniel to see his children. Daniel
says quite nasty things about the childrens mother in front
of them without considering how they feel about it.

Chapters 26
Miranda decides to employ someone to look after them.
Daniel hits upon the plan of disguising himself as a
woman and gets the job! All goes well Daniel is able
to spend time with his children. The two older children
know perfectly well who Madame Doubtfire is.

Chapters 79
But inevitably, in an amusing sequence of events, Miranda
discovers the truth. The resulting row between Miranda
and Daniel leaves the children white and shaking. It seems
there is nothing to be done, until Lydia, the oldest child,
tells both parents what she thinks of them. At last Daniel
and Miranda see sense. The story ends with the two
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Teachers notes

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Madame Doubtfire
parents making peace with one another although it is
obvious that they will not get back together again.

Background and themes

Anne Fine is without doubt one of todays most
outstanding childrens writers. Critics describe her books
as witty, stylish and thought provoking. Her stories are
comical, but nonetheless they deal with contemporary
issues such as divorce, step-parenting, bullying and sexualstereotyping. They have hopeful endings.
Madame Doubtfire is a rare book. It is written with an
instinctive understanding of a childs point of view, and
combines realism and fantasy in a way that appeals to
children and adults alike.
Divorced parents: Fine backs her decision to write about
children from broken homes with the following statistic:
one in five of todays population is either a step-child or
a step-parent. She says, Divorce may be good for the
parents, but its one of the worst things you can do to your
children. People of our generation were brought up with
an overall sense that love was permanent; children growing
up now learn that it is conditional conditional on sexual
satisfaction, on job satisfaction Sometimes I wonder if
in the past there was just as much pain but the adults bore
the brunt of it. Now its the children.
Heroic children: However, the children in Anne Fines
novels are not victims. They are always articulate, and
often wiser, more heroic and more far-sighted than their
parents. Somebody always pays for divorce, says Anne
Fine, and its often the children with the fairy-tale virtues
of courage and generosity and an unfailing capacity to
forgive who pay.
Acting and real life: I have only one life and I want to
live it, not act it, says Daniel when the children wonder
why their father didnt stay in the family and pretend to
be happy. When they agree to stop acting and be real, they
realise that Madame Doubtfire has to go.
Film: In 1993 the film Mrs Doubtfire, starring Robin
Williams, and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire,
achieved massive, worldwide success. The film, though
plainly based on the book, differs in some respects.
However, it has the same warmth, rich humour, and
underlying wisdom.

Discussion activities
Chapter 1 A Quiet Afternoon Tea with Dad,
pages 16
Before reading
1 Describe: Put students into groups. Ask them to
describe the woman on the front cover. Have each
group share their descriptions with the rest of the
class.

After reading
2 Pair work: Elicit the fact that the children dont like
their father to be angry with their mother. Have
students work in pairs and find four things that show
this.
3 Role play: Have students work in pairs to act out the
following role play:
Student A: You are Daniel. When Miranda comes to pick
up the children, tell her that you are angry with her.
Explain why.
Student B: You are Miranda. You come to pick up the
children at Daniels home. You do not want to talk to
Daniel.

Chapter 2 Naked in Front of the Neighbours,

pages 79
Before reading
4 Discuss: Talk about pictures.
Have students look at the pictures on pages 5 and 9.
Ask some students to read out the captions and
describe the pictures. Have them talk about what kind
of person Daniel is and ask them if they think he is a
good dad.

After reading
5 Discuss: Have students discuss these questions in
groups.
Describe Daniel.
Do you like him? Say why/why not.
Why do you think it could be a problem to be
married to him?

Chapter 3 A Visit from the Stone Woman,

pages 1014
Before reading
6 Get ready: Bring in some wanted ads from the
newspaper and show them to students. Have them
find out what kind of information they can see in the
ads, e.g. job description, contact information etc.
Now have students look at the wanted ad on page 12.
Ask What is the job? and If you want this job, what will
you do?

After reading
7 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Have them
answer these questions.
Why does Daniel change the advertisement, do you
think?

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Madame Doubtfire - Teachers notes  of 3

Teachers notes

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PENGUIN READERS
Teacher Support Programme

Madame Doubtfire
What do you think his plan is?
Do you think it will be successful?
8 Role play: Have students work in pairs to act out the
following role play:
Student A: You are Christopher. Talk to Lydia about your
parents. Say what you feel.
Student B: You are Lydia. Talk to Christopher about
your parents. Say what you feel.
9 Discuss: Have students discuss the following question
in pairs: Daniel and Miranda dont have a happy
marriage. What do you think are the five most important
things for a happy marriage? Then have a whole-class
discussion about the question. Students can write
their answers for homework.

Chapter 4 Saying the Right Thing,

pages 14 16
After reading
10 Write: Have students work in groups. They have a
conversation between Lydia and Christopher after
they go upstairs. Then they write it.

Chapter 5 Learning to Do the New Job,

pages 16 22
Before reading
11 Retell: Have students look at the picture on page 17.
Have them take turns in small groups to recap what
was going on when Madame Doubtfire came to
Mirandas house for the first time. Encourage them to
describe Madame Doubtfires clothes, the childrens
reactions etc.

After reading
12 Role play: Have students work in pairs to act out as
follows:
Student A: You are Miranda. Talk about Madame
Doubtfire to a friend.
Student B: You are a friend of Miranda. Listen to her
and ask questions.

Chapter 6 Happy Families, pages 2225

After reading
13 Discuss: In groups, students discuss the following
question. Then have a whole-class discussion on the
subject. If parents are unhappy together, which do you
think is better: to stay together because of the children or
to divorce? Give reasons for your opinion.

Chapter 7 Actors and Happy Pigs, pages 2529

After reading
14 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Have them
discuss the following questions.
Why do Lydia and Christopher think the play is
wonderful?
Why does Daniel get so angry with Christopher?
Why doesnt Daniel want to pretend to be happy with
Miranda?
Do you agree with him? Say why/why not.
c Pearson Education Limited 2008

Why does Daniel say, Im not a happy pig?

Why does he decide to stop being Madame
Doubtfire? Do you think its better to be an unhappy
thinker than a happy pig? Say why/why not.

Chapter 8 Dont Mend the Roof on the Day of

a Storm, pages 2934
15 Discussion: Put students into small groups, and have
them discuss the following questions.
Do you think Miranda is right to be angry with
Daniel? Give reasons for your opinion.
Do you think Daniel is right to be angry with
Miranda? Give reasons for your opinion.
How do the children feel? How do you know?
16 Role play: Have students work in pairs. Have them
play Christopher and Lydia after they have gone
upstairs at the end of the chapter. Encourage them to
discuss what you could do to help things.
17 Guess: Have students work in groups.
What do you think is going to happen? How do you
think the story will end? Write one or two paragraphs
about this.

Chapter 9 A Book at Bedtime, pages 34 38

After reading
18 Group work: Put students into small groups. Have
them discuss the following questions.
Why does Daniel clean the house when he gets home,
do you think?
What does Lydia say is the most important thing for
Daniel to do? Do you agree?
What does Lydia tell Miranda? What do you think of
this?

Extra activities
19 Discuss: Have students work in groups to discuss
these questions.
How do children feel when their parents have an
unhappy marriage? How do they feel when their parents
quarrel? What do you think an unhappy marriage does
to children?
20 Discuss and write: Ask, What kind of person do you
think Daniel could be happy with? Have students
discuss in pairs and write a description of this person.
Do the same for Miranda.
21 Write and discuss: Have students write down all the
things that they find funny/sad in the story. Then, as
a whole-class activity, guide them to agree on what
they think is the funniest/saddest thing.
22 Pair work: Have students ask each other the
following questions in pairs. Have you seen Robin
Williams in any other films? If you have, which films
have you seen him in? Did you enjoy them? What are the
stories about?

Vocabulary activities
For the Word List and vocabulary activities, go to
www.penguinreaders.com.
Madame Doubtfire - Teachers notes  of 3

Activity worksheets

LEVEL 3

B1323

Madame Doubtfire
While reading
Chapter 1, pages 16
1 Are these sentences right or wrong? If they are
wrong, correct them.
a Daniel is the father of Lydia, Christopher and
Miranda.

b Daniel doesnt live with Miranda.

c Daniel likes Miranda a lot.

d Miranda wants Daniel to see the children a
lot.

e Miranda phones to say the cat has killed two
hamsters.

f In the letter, Miranda says she will bring the
children to see Daniel on Friday night.

Chapter 2, pages 79
2 Answer these questions.
a What kind of work does Daniel do?

b What is his new job?

c How does Miranda feel about it?

d How much will Miranda pay her cleaning
woman?

e What other things will the cleaning woman
do for Miranda?

f Why does Miranda need a cleaning woman?

g Why doesnt Miranda want to leave the
children with Daniel?

Chapter 3, pages 1014
3 Complete these sentences.
a Daniel is angry with Miranda because she
comes to get the children.
b Miranda works as a .
c Miranda wants a cleaner who can also
children.

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d Daniel writes his on the

advertisement.

Chapter 4, pages 1416

4 Choose the right answer.
1 Why does Natalie go to sleep so quickly?
a Because Madame Doubtfire gives her some
medicine.
b Because she is very scared.
c Because it is Daniel who picks up her
favourite storybook and reads it to her.
2 Why does Lydia look hard at Madame
Doubtfire and look excited?
a Because she knows Madame Doubtfire is
her father.
b Because Madame Doubtfire is a big
person.
c Because she doesnt like Madame
Doubtfire.
3 Why does Miranda think that Madame
Doubtfire is strange?
a Because Natalie went to sleep quickly.
b Because she is strangely dressed.
c Because she says hello to Hetty the quail.
4 Why does Miranda give Mrs Doubtfire the
job?
a Because she gets Natalie to sleep quickly.
b Because she tells Christopher not to be
rude.
c Both a and b.
Chapter 5, pages 1622
5 Put the two parts of the sentences together.
1 The children clean their bedrooms so that
2 Christopher and Lydia know that
3 Miranda is angry because
4 Lydia and Miranda say that
5 Natalie says she likes her father and Madame
Doubtfire
a Madame Doubtfire is a little strange.
b just the same.
c Daniel and Madame Doubtfire are the
same person.
d Daniel wants to take the children out on
Saturday afternoon.
e Daniel can do the washing and help with
the childrens homework.

Madame Doubtfire - Activity worksheets  of 2

Activity worksheets

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Madame Doubtfire
Chapter 6, pages 2225
6 Who says these words? To whom do they say
them?
a Youre wonderful, Madame Doubtfire.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
b Just look at this! Mr Hooper brought it
round a few days ago.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
c I found out today that your father is planning
to do his modelling right here in my own
home.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
d Im so glad I dont come on Tuesdays.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
e This is one of those times when I must have
you here.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
f Not here, Dad.
Who? ..
To whom? ..
Chapter 7, pages 2529
7 Choose the right answer to complete the
sentences.
1 The trip to the theatre was not very enjoyable
for
a Daniel.
b Lydia.
c Christopher.
2 The play was about
a two happily married couples.
b two unhappily married couples.
c one happily married couple and one
unhappily married couple.
3 Lydia said, The best acting Ive ever seen.
Their feelings were so real, but Daniel
said,
a You really have to feel all those feelings
when youre acting.
b You dont really have to feel all those
feelings when youre acting.
c You dont really feel anything when youre
acting.
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4 Christopher asked Daniel,

a Why didnt you stay in the family and be
unhappy instead of leaving?
b Why didnt you stay in the family and be
happy instead of leaving?
c Why didnt you stay in the family and
pretend to be happy instead of leaving?

Chapter 8, pages 2934

8 Put the words in order to make the correct
sentences.
a arent / at / school / Why / you / ?

b before / naked / seen / Weve / you / .

c at / school / She / that / thinks / were / .

d dont / hard / is / know / what / work / You / !

e loving / me / stop / They / wont / .

f Get / house / of / out / this / !

Chapter 9, pages 3438
9 Answer these questions.
a Who comes to see Daniel first?

b Why does Miranda come to see Daniel?

c How has Miranda changed?

After reading
10 In the story find a sentence for each of the
words ah. Then write your own sentence
using the word.
a annoyed:


b ashamed:


c divorced:


d naked:


Madame Doubtfire - Activity worksheets of 2

Progress test

LEVEL 3

Madame Doubtfire
1 Put the right name in each sentence.
a Lydia, Christopher and Natalie come to
s apartment on Tuesdays.
b is the tallest of the three.
c The youngest daughter of Daniel and Miranda is
.
d wants to take the children shopping
on Saturday morning.
e has a quail as his pet.
2 Circle YES or NO.
a Is Daniels new job an acting job?
YES NO
b Did the children know about his new job?
YES NO
c Is Mrs Hooper Daniels next-door neighbour?
YES NO
d Has Mrs Hooper painted Daniel?
YES NO
e Does the cleaning-woman have to cook?
YES NO
3 Match the two parts of the sentences.
1 Youre not just her children,
2 It was Daniels time to speak,
3 Daniel could see another big tear
4 He put the piece of paper back in its envelope
5 The children will see you on Saturday
a and pressed the envelope shut.
b but he didnt know what to say.
c but this time it was running down Christophers
face.
d when weve finished our shopping.
e youre my children too.
4 Who says these? Choose the correct name from the
box.
Lydia Christopher Natalie Daniel
Miranda Madame Doubtfire
a You dont live with your husband, dear?
b Please dont go yet. Stay and meet the other two
children.
c Why cant Dad look after us?
d Oh Christopher, youre so stupid.
e Well, Madame Doubtfire, everybody likes you, you
see.
5 Are these sentences right (3) or wrong (7)?
a When the children were cleaning their bedrooms,
Madame Doubtfire was smoking.
c

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b Lydia and Christopher knew immediately that
Daniel and Madame Doubtfire were the same
person.
c
c Natalie also understood that Daniel was
Madame Doubtfire.
c
d Daniel had to have a second shave every day
before tea-time.
c
e Lydia thinks that being with Madame
Doubtfire is better than having more time with
Daniel.
c
6 Complete each sentence with a word from the box.
Ashamed Madame modelling
naked pretended
a Miranda gladly took the cup which
Doubtfire was offering.
b Miranda felt so of all the terrible
things Daniel did.
c Mrs Hoopers painting showed Daniels
body.
d Daniel is going to be at Mirandas house
for the art group.
e Daniel to throw a bomb at Miranda.
7 Choose the right answer in italics.
a The trip to theatre was not as enjoyable as Daniel /
the children hoped.
b Natalie fell asleep / ill during the play.
c Daniel knew that home for the children meant
Mirandas / Daniels place.
d Daniel became angry and shouted, How dare / poor
you!
e Daniel wants to live his life, not act / model.
8 Put the sentences in the right order.
a Mrs Doubtfire saw the three children were at
home and not at school.
c
c
b Miranda came home.
c
c Daniel left the house.
c
d Daniel and Miranda had a long quarrel.
e Mrs Hooper and other people in the art group
were painting Daniel.
c
9 Choose the two correct sentences.
a Miranda came to say sorry.
b Daniel and Miranda are in love again.
c Daniel said sorry about his acting.
d Miranda wants Madame Doubtfire back.
e Miranda asked Daniel to work as a gardener.

Madame Doubtfire - Progress test

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Answer keys

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PENGUIN READERS
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Madame Doubtfire
Book key
1


2


3

4

a Lydia, Christopher, Natalie (Natty)

b Daniel and Miranda
c their mother
a hamster, quail; housekeeper, model
b annoyed, ashamed, divorced, naked, shocked, odd
c Open answers
a 3 b 7 c 3 d 7 e 7 f 3 g 3 h 7
i 3
a Miranda
b Because it says Daniel cant have the children next
weekend. They know this will annoy him.
c Because she loves both her parents and she doesnt
like their quarrels.
d Open answers
e Open answers
5 Open answers
6 a Daniel
b Miranda
c her cleaning-woman
d Miranda
7 a early
b untidy
c housekeeper
d is going to put
e after
f his own
8 a Because Daniel puts it into the envelope and shuts
it.
b No, she isnt because Daniel has written his
telephone number on the advertisement. So people
will phone him not her.
9 a Cleaning, cooking, tidying, making the beds,
looking after children, shopping, answering the
telephone, washing and drying clothes, etc.
b He can wear womens clothes and speak with a high
voice. He must shave a lot.
cd Open answers
10 a advertisement b voices c clothes d daddy
e kind f difficult g mother h housekeeper
11 a Open answer
b Yes
12 Open answers
13 a do housework b is Daniel c her father
d to the theatre e at her own house f the model
g on that Tuesday

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14 a Open answer
b Because Daniel cant be a female housekeeper and a
male naked model at the same time.
c Because Miranda is angry with Daniel, but not with
Madame Doubtfire. Madame Doubtfire makes
Mirandas life easier. Perhaps Miranda also thinks
Madame Doubtfire is a wise older woman.
15 Open answers
16 a Lydia b Daniel c Christopher
d Daniel e Lydia f Daniel g Natalie
h Lydia i Lydia j Daniel
1719 Open answers
20 a house b strike c art d upstairs e clothes
f towel g students h work i school
21 a runs b Where c understands d same
e fight f angry g leave
2223 Open answers
24 a Daniel b Lydia c Lydia
d Daniel and Miranda e Miranda
25 a can b promises c Daniels d bad
e tomorrow f laughing
26 a The children tell their parents to listen to them and
think about them sometimes.
b c Open answers.
2737 Open answers

Discussion activities key

1






2

Possible answers:
She looks about sixty years old.
She has grey hear and wears glasses.
She is quite big and looks quite strong.
She is smiling.
She is wearing a blouse and skirt.
She is holding cleaning dusters.
Possible answers:
When Daniel is rude about Miranda, Natalie looks
sad and hides her face.
Lydia says, Why dont you try a bit harder? You dont
make it any easier, you know.
Lydia says, It isnt easy for her, you know, being a
single parent.
When Daniel pretends to cut the teapots throat
Natalie nearly starts crying again.
3 5 Open answers
6 Suggested answers:
The job is cleaning and looking after the children.
I will call the number 43184.

Madame Doubtfire - Answer keys

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Answer keys

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Madame Doubtfire
7 Possible answer:
I think its because he didnt want people to ring
Miranda.
8 10 Open answers
11 Possible answers:
Madame Doubtfire was wearing a coat and a scarf.
Her hair was tied up in a kind of towel. She met the
youngest Natalie first. Then the older children came
home. When Madame Doubtfire talked to them, they
did not say anything first. Christopher was not very
happy and Lydia was looking at Madame Doubtfire
very hard. Madame Doubtfire told Christopher not
to be rude to his mother. Christopher said sorry.
Then Lydia realised who Madame Doubtfire really
was and said they would be great friends. Lydia
took Christopher upstairs probably to tell him that
Madame Doubtfire is in fact Daniel.
1213 Open answers
14 Possible answers:
Because its about happy and unhappy marriages. They
think its very real.
Because Christopher asks Daniel why he didnt stay in the
family and pretend to be happy.
Because he says a job is a job but real life is real.
15 17 Open answers
18 Possible answers:
Because Miranda tells him that his flat is messy and
that he doesnt know what hard work is. She says,
Its not enough to say what you want. You have to
listen to what your children want too. She also says,
You can give orders and still not win. You can try to
control people and still lose them.
19 21 Open answers
22 Some films starring Robin Williams:
Dead Poets Society, Jumanji, Good Will Hunting, Jack,
Flubber, etc.

Activity worksheets key

1

a 7 Miranda: Natalie
b 3
c 7 likes Miranda a lot: doesnt like Miranda at all
d 7 wants, a lot: doesnt want
e 3
f 7 bring the children to see Daniel: keep the
children
2 Suggested answers:
a He is an actor but these days he is always out of
work.
c Pearson Education Limited 2008

b He models for an art school with no clothes on.

c She feels very angry and shocked. But she also
thinks its funny.
d Three pounds an hour.
e Look after the children when they get back from
school.
f Because she has to travel a lot for her job. Also, she
doesnt get home until half past six.
g Because he gives her too many problems.
3 a early b businesswoman c look after
d number
4 1 c 2 a 3 b 4 c
5 1 e 2 c 3 d 4 a 5 b
6 a Miranda to Madame Doubtfire
b Miranda to Madame Doubtfire
c Miranda to the children
d Madame Doubtfire to Miranda
e Miranda to Madame Doubtfire
f Lydia to Daniel
7 1 a 2 c 3 b 4 c
8 a Why arent you at school?
b Weve seen you naked before.
c She thinks were at school.
d You dont know what hard work is!
e They wont stop loving me!
f Get out of this house!
9 Suggested answers:
a Lydia
b Because Christopher asked her again and again to
come.
c She is kind and polite. She is going to let Daniel see
the children more.
10 Open answers

Progress test key

1 a Daniel b Lydia c Natalie d Miranda
e Christopher
2 a NO b YES c NO d YES e YES
3 1 e 2 b 3 c 4 a 5 d
4 a Madame Doubtfire b Miranda c Christopher
d Lydia e Miranda
5 a 3 b 3 c 7 d 3 e 7
6 a Madame b ashamed c naked d modelling
e pretended
7 a Daniel b asleep c Mirandas d dare e act
8 a 1 b 3 c 5 d 4 e 2
9 c, e

Madame Doubtfire - Answer keys  of 2