j. Why did the training of spies have to be so gruelling?
They would constantly be in life or death situations and needed to be prepared for any scenario.
g. Why was Virginia a prime candidate to be a spy?
She was female, non-british, an expert in languages and comfortable living in a foreign country.
h. Given that spies need to be able to keep a low profile, do you think it is strange that Virginia was recruited, even with her wooden leg? Give a reason.
Yes, it seems strange but she had a lot of skills that were useful.
d. What made Virginia volunteer her services to the SOE?
She wanted to help fight what she considered evil and since America was not at war with Germany, she joined the SOE.
a. Why did Virginia leave France in 1940?
Because France surrendered and Hitler's army was moving into Paris in June 1940
k. Give an example of a fact and an opinion from the text.
Student's own answers
b. What clues are there in the text to show us that she was an American citizen?
She got a job at the American Embassy.
c. Who did Virginia work for and what did she do?
She worked at the American Embassy and was a clerical assisstant.
e. Do you think she would have volunteered had America been at war with Germany? Give a reason for your answer.
Yes, she would have.
i. Why do you think men and women received the same training?
Because all of them would be in dangerous situations that would've been similar and they needed the same skills to survive.
f. What was the aim of the SOE?
"To set Europe ablaze" by waging an undercover war against the Germans who has occupied France.
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