Charles Dickens – a quiz

1. [Multiple choice]

Charles Dickens is considered one of the English language’s greatest writers.

(– he is considered the foremost English novelist of the Victorian era, and was acclaimed for his rich storytelling and memorable characters.)

Answers for Quiz [1].

• 1. True (correct)
• 2. False

2. [Multiple choice]

Although he became famous afterwards, he remained unknown during his own lifetime.

(- he achieved massive worldwide popularity in his lifetime.)

Answers for Quiz [2].

• 1. True
• 2. False (correct)

3. [Multiple choice]

He was ….

Answers for Quiz [3].

• 1. the oldest of eight children.
• 2. the second oldest of eight children. (correct)
• 3. the third of eight children.
• 4. the fourth of eight children.
• 5. the fifth of eight children.
• 6. the sixth of eight children.
• 7. the second youngest of eight children.
• 8. the youngest of eight children – ie the eighth of eight.

4. [Multiple choice]

Many images people still have of England originate from illustrations and descriptions in Dickens’ novels.

(– in particular, many old-fashioned impressions of English types remain common, and also certain images of Christmas persist for instance on calendars and cards. You often see ‘Christmas’ illustrated as if it dated from 1850!)

Answers for Quiz [4].

• 1. True (correct)
• 2. False

5. [Multiple choice]

The popularity of Dickens’ novels has meant that not one has ever gone out of print.

Answers for Quiz [5].

• 1. True (correct)
• 2. False

6. [Multiple choice]

Which of these novels was not written by Charles Dickens?

(- this was written by Jane Austen who lived (1775-1817) before Dickens was born. ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was published in 1813.)

Answers for Quiz [6].

• 1. Great Expectations
• 2. Oliver Twist
• 3. Pride and Prejudice (correct)
• 4. Hard Times
• 5. The Christmas Carol
• 6. Nicholas Nickleby
• 7. A Tale of Two Cities
• 8. The Pickwick Papers

7. [Multiple choice]

Dickens became a vigorous social campaigner.

(– he championed many causes of the poor and also advocated the abolition of slavery when he visited America for the first time in 1842.)

Answers for Quiz [7].

• 1. True (correct)
• 2. False

8. [Multiple choice]

Only a few people attended his funeral in 1870.

(, as Dickens had specifically asked for a simple ceremony. As you have read in the text, however, he was unable to stop thousands of people coming to pay their respects to him in admiration for his achievements as a writer and social campaigner.

)

Answers for Quiz [8].

• 1. True (correct)
• 2. False