Armistice Runner - Session 7 - Reading Comprehension answers

In "The Armistice Runner", Ernest has acquired essential military skills, such as trench digging, rifle shooting, and Mills bomb throwing. Driven by a desire to honour his fallen comrade, Fred, Ernest is eager to reach the front line. Recognised by an officer who witnessed his racing victory, Ernest faces the challenge of communication in the rapidly advancing front, where laying telephone lines lags behind and radios are limited to short distances. Captain Whitaker's twitching eyes betray the stress and nerves common in the battlefield environment. Despite this, Ernest takes pride in his role as a messenger, a task that aligns with his talents. He likens himself to a sheepdog, obediently and efficiently executing commands, a simile that captures his readiness and reliability.

Chapters 13 and 14 of "The Armistice Runner" detail Ernest's adaptation to military life and his assignment as a messenger, a role he accepts with pride. The chapters highlight the difficulties of wartime communication, the psychological toll on soldiers like Captain Whitaker, and Ernest's personal motivation to avenge his friend's death, all while drawing a poignant comparison between Ernest's duties and the instinctive work of a sheepdog.