Chapter 1

In the opening paragraph, Lemony Snicket states that the Baudelaire children were "extremely unlucky, and most everything that happened to them was rife with misfortune, misery and despair."

What does "rife" mean in this context?

Why did the Baudelaire children not mind going to Briny Beach on a gray and cloudy day?

Violet Baudelaire had a talent for inventing and building devices.

What would the device do that she thought of building while visiting Briny Beach?

Who was walking toward the Baudelaire children on Briny Beach?

Besides losing their parents, what else did Violet, Klaus and Sunny lose in the fire?

Mr. Poe told the Baudelaire children "I am the executor of your parents' estate."

What does Mr. Poe mean?

When Violet was thinking hard she tied her long hair with a ribbon to keep it out of her eyes. She never wanted to be distracted by something as "trivial" as her hair.

What does "trivial" mean in this context?

Which description best summarizes the Baudelaire family at the end of chapter 1?

Were there any words that weren't clear to you?