Old Man at the Bridge

Question 1

Description of Old Man’s Physical appearance

Answer 1

1. Had steel rimmed spectacles

2. Wore very dusty clothes

Question 2

Where did the old man come from?n Carlos

Answer 2

From San Carlos

Question 3

Why did the Old Man smile?

Answer 3

He smiled because he mentioned his native tonw

Question 4

What did the Old Man do in San Carlos?

Answer 4

He took care of animals

Question 5

Which animals did he take care of?

Answer 5

He took care of:

• two goats
• a cat
• four pairs of pigeons

Question 6

Why was the Old Man forced to leave?

Answer 6

Because of artillery

Question 7

Which of the animals will be alright?

Answer 7

The cat

Question 8

What does the cat symbolise?

Answer 8

It symbolises the survivors of war?

Question 9

What does the pigeon symbolise?

Answer 9

It symbolises the ones who escape war.

Question 10

What do the goats symbolise?

Answer 10

They symbolise the sacrifices of war

Question 11

What does the Soldier mean by “What politics have you?”?

Answer 11

He means to ask which side of the war the old man is on

Question 12

How old is the old man

Answer 12

76 years old

Question 13

How far has the old man travelled

Answer 13

12 km

Question 14

Where do the trucks go?

Answer 14

Towards Barcelona, forking for Tortosa

Question 15

What was the only good luck the Old Man would ever have?

Answer 15

1. It was a gray overcast day with a low ceiling so their planes were not up.
2. Cats know how to look after themselves.

Question 16

On which day did this story take place?

Answer 16

Easter Sunday

Question 17

Who was attacking?

Answer 17

The fascists

Question 18

Which river did this occur on?

Answer 18

The EBro

Question 19

Character traits of old man

Answer 19

Old man: old and tired(he says that he has come far and that he is tired and he can go no further), lonely(he has no famly apart from the animals, who he has also been separated from),
loving and protective – towards his
animals (who are like his family),
feels a sense of guilt, hopelessness

Question 20

Character traits of Narrator

Answer 20

Narrator: kind(was kind to old man), compassionate(cared about old man, could have just walked away),
helpful(helped old man get over his problems)

Question 21

Symbolism of the bridge

Answer 21

The bridge acts as symbolism for the gate to death.

Question 22

Symbolism of Easter Sunday

Answer 22

Easter Sunday is usually a day celebrating resurrection and it is joyous. However, this event is more about destruction and it is depressing.