This exchange captures a charming moment of playful ignorance and simple knowledge sharing. The initial question challenges someone to name three types of olives, a test of what at first appears to be common knowledge. The response—"Olives! I wouldn't know one type!"—exposes a humorous human tendency: to assume familiarity but realize a surprising lack of it when pressed. It's a reminder of how little we sometimes truly know about something we think is mundane or ordinary, such as olives, a common food item.

The reply that follows is straightforward and practical, listing green, black, and stuffed olives, which reflect not just types but states of olives as they are consumed. This mirrors how knowledge isn't always technical but deeply tied to everyday experience. The quote subtly emphasizes that learning and discovery are ongoing processes, sometimes sparked by the simplest questions.

In the context of John Marsden's "Tomorrow, When the War Began," this lighthearted dialogue might also underscore the contrast between the characters’ everyday concerns and the extraordinary circumstances they later face. Knowledge of olives or food types is trivial in the larger narrative, yet these moments of normality create a relatable foundation for readers and characters alike. It showcases human nature in its authenticity—curious, unsure, and connected through conversation.

Ultimately, this quote is a brief but poignant illustration of communication, humility, and the delight found in odd little facts that enrich our understanding of the world in even the smallest ways.