Charles Dickens — Questions and answers

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What caused people across Britain and America to mourn openly in 1841?

Choices

  1. A. Public anxiety over the fate of Little Nell in a book ✓
  2. B. Charles Dickens decided to stop writing books
  3. C. A very sad event happened in London's Fleet Street
  4. D. People were worried about finding new omnibus tops

Answer: A. Public anxiety over the fate of Little Nell in a book

From page 1

What happened to Charles Dickens's father when Charles was twelve years old?

Choices

  1. A. He opened a new factory.
  2. B. He was imprisoned in Marshalsea Debtor's Prison. ✓
  3. C. He became a famous writer.
  4. D. He moved to a big new house.

Answer: B. He was imprisoned in Marshalsea Debtor's Prison.

From page 2

What was the name Charles Dickens used when his observations first started appearing in print?

Choices

  1. A. Charles the Reporter
  2. B. Gurney
  3. C. Boz ✓
  4. D. London Observer

Answer: C. Boz

From page 3

What was the name of the book that made Charles Dickens a national literary sensation?

Choices

  1. A. Robert Seymour's Etchings
  2. B. Sporting Illustrations
  3. C. The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club ✓
  4. D. Chapman & Hall's Stories

Answer: C. The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club

From page 4

What did Charles Dickens aim to expose in his books like 'Oliver Twist'?

Choices

  1. A. Exciting adventures of brave knights
  2. B. The best schools for children in England
  3. C. Social injustices like the workhouse system and criminal underworld ✓
  4. D. Fun stories about everyday life in London

Answer: C. Social injustices like the workhouse system and criminal underworld

From page 5

What American societal flaw did Charles Dickens openly speak out against during his tour?

Choices

  1. A. The lack of fancy parties
  2. B. The widespread practice of slavery ✓
  3. C. American people not reading enough books
  4. D. The quietness of American cities

Answer: B. The widespread practice of slavery

From page 6

What did Dickens's novel 'Bleak House' famously satirize and highlight?

Choices

  1. A. The joys of country life
  2. B. The antiquated legal system and Chancery ✓
  3. C. Exciting new inventions of the time
  4. D. Fun games for children

Answer: B. The antiquated legal system and Chancery

From page 7

What was a negative consequence of Charles Dickens's intense public readings?

Choices

  1. A. Audiences found them boring.
  2. B. They made him lose money.
  3. C. They caused a severe toll on his health. ✓
  4. D. People stopped buying his books.

Answer: C. They caused a severe toll on his health.

From page 8

Besides writing books, what was one way Charles Dickens showed his commitment to social reform?

Choices

  1. A. He opened a new type of restaurant.
  2. B. He helped establish Urania Cottage, a home for women. ✓
  3. C. He became a famous actor in plays.
  4. D. He started a new fashion trend.

Answer: B. He helped establish Urania Cottage, a home for women.

From page 9

Why does Charles Dickens's voice continue to be important today?

Choices

  1. A. Because his stories are only about happy and simple times.
  2. B. Because his books are very short and easy to read.
  3. C. Because his works reflect human nature and society's inequalities. ✓
  4. D. Because he invented new technology for storytelling.

Answer: C. Because his works reflect human nature and society's inequalities.

From page 10