The first question is a personal one, meaning that you should think about how you would respond to the threat of Miss. Trunchbull. When faced with belligerent and tyrannical authority figures, do you stand up to them, ignore them, undermine them surreptitiously, or try to placate them? However, you might bear in mind the way in which Matilda, the most intelligent character in the book, responds to Miss Trunchbull.

There is also the advice that Miss Honey gives to her class: "Never argue with her. Never answer her back. Always do as she says." This is the result of long experience, as well as genuine concern for the welfare of the children. Since you have been asked to use the past tense, and the question is in the subjunctive, you should used the structure: "If Miss Trunchbull had been my headmistress, I would have..."

When describing Lavender and Hortensia, you might point out that Lavender was described as "gutsy and adventurous." This also clearly applies to Hortensia, who was a seasoned campaigner against Miss Trunchbull and her tyrannical regime. Lavender and Hortensia shared an interest in putting up a fight against Miss Trunchbull's bullying and found inventive methods of doing so. However, Lavender was a much younger and more innocent character than the battle-scarred Hortensia and was initially somewhat overawed by her.