Tom's Midnight Garden - Chapters 1 and 2 - Reading Comprehension answers

Chapters 1 and 2 of "Tom's Midnight Garden" set the stage for the story by exploring the protagonist's feelings of exile as he is sent to stay with his Aunt Gwen and Uncle Alan. The first chapter is aptly titled "Exile" because Tom feels punished, being uprooted from his home and separated from his holiday plans, which included tree-climbing and building a treehouse with his brother Peter. Tom's resentment leads to rude behaviour, which he justifies by his dislike for Uncle Alan and the desire not to grow fond of him.

Tom's discomfort with his temporary home is exacerbated when he is shown to a nursery-like bedroom with barred windows, reinforcing his sense of being treated like a child. The lack of a garden and the restrictions imposed by his aunt and uncle add to his unhappiness. To pass the time, Tom engages in crossword puzzles and jigsaws, but a peculiar incident involving the grandfather clock striking thirteen times at midnight piques his curiosity. This mysterious event, coupled with the personification of the house suggesting a hidden opportunity, entices Tom to venture out at night, setting the stage for the unfolding adventure. The house seems to whisper of secrets waiting to be uncovered, teasing Tom and the reader with the promise of a mystery to solve.