A Christmas Carol (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Exam Questions

7 hours167 questions
11 mark

What does Scrooge ask in Stave 1 when approached by two gentlemen collecting for the poor?

  •  "Are there no prisons? ... And the Union workhouses?"

  • "Why should I give to the poor? They have enough."

  • "Why not let them starve if they are so poor?"

  • "Can they not find work of their own?"

Did this page help you?

21 mark

Which character says, "God bless us every one!"?

  • Bob Cratchit

  • Scrooge

  • Tiny Tim

  • Fred

Did this page help you?

31 mark

How does Scrooge describe himself after his transformation in Stave 5?

  • "light as a feather, happy as an angel"

  • "dark as the night, cold as the winter"

  • "heavy as a stone, burdened with guilt"

  • "strong as steel, firm as iron"

Did this page help you?

41 mark

In Stave 4, what does Bob Cratchit repeatedly say when mourning the loss of Tiny Tim?

  • “Why did this happen?”

  •  “My little, little child!”

  • “How will we go on without him?”

  •  “He was too young to die.”

Did this page help you?

51 mark

What does the narrator say about Scrooge and Marley’s relationship in Stave 1?

  • They were like brothers, inseparable in life and death.

  • They were close friends who shared everything.

  • Their relationship was merely business, with little affection.

  • They were enemies forced to work together.

Did this page help you?

61 mark

Which phrase best describes Scrooge’s attitude towards Christmas in Stave 1?

  • “A time for joyous celebration, generous giving, and spreading goodwill to all those around us.”

  • “Christmas is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing warm memories, and creating new traditions.”

  • “Let us embrace the spirit of the season with open hearts and share our blessings freely.”

  • “Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding.”

Did this page help you?

71 mark

In Stave 1, how is Bob Cratchit’s work environment described?

  •  as an icy, dank warehouse

  • as a stark and empty office

  • as a cavernous bleak room

  • as a dismal little cell

Did this page help you?

81 mark

Explain the significance of Scrooge’s question, "Are there no prisons? ... And the Union workhouses?"

  • It shows Scrooge’s deep concern for the welfare of the poor.

  • It reveals Scrooge’s ignorance of the poor’s plight and his lack of empathy.

  • It highlights Scrooge’s desire to help the poor through institutional means.

  • It implies Scrooge's belief that the poor are simply lazy.

Did this page help you?

91 mark

What is the significance of Scrooge’s transformation from saying, "Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips..." to "I am as merry as a schoolboy."

  • It indicates that Scrooge now feels the same sadness and loneliness that he felt as a schoolboy.

  • It shows Scrooge’s internal struggle to maintain his miserly attitude in the face of goodwill surrounding him.

  • It shows Scrooge’s complete change from bitterness to joy, embodying the novella’s theme of redemption.

  • It suggests that Scrooge is simply pretending to enjoy Christmas to fit in with societal expectations.

Did this page help you?

101 mark

How are the Cratchit family portrayed during their Christmas dinner in Stave 3.

  • They are shown as a loving and united family, despite their poverty.

  • They are portrayed as miserable and resentful of their poverty.

  • They are depicted as indifferent to each other and the holiday.

  • They are shown to fear the bleak uncertainty of the winter season.

Did this page help you?

11 mark

What does Scrooge’s refusal to donate to the poor in Stave 1 reveal about his character?

  • He is generous, but only in private.

  • He is afraid of becoming poor himself.

  • He is indifferent to others’ suffering.

  • He believes charity should be anonymous.

Did this page help you?

21 mark

What is the significance of the phrase “God bless us every one!” spoken by Tiny Tim?

  • It emphasises Tiny Tim’s hope that God will provide them with wealth.

  • It reflects the theme of universal goodwill and compassion.

  • It symbolises the Cratchit family’s religious devotion.

  • It suggests that Tiny Tim has never felt “blessed” before.

Did this page help you?

31 mark

How does Scrooge's statement "I am not the man I was" reflect his transformation in terms of his views on wealth and generosity?

  • He now believes that accumulating wealth is more important than anything else.

  • He recognises the value of sharing wealth and helping others.

  • He thinks that being wealthy is shameful and should be avoided.

  • He feels indifferent about wealth and focuses only on his own happiness.

Did this page help you?

41 mark

Scrooge describes Fezziwig as having “the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make out service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil.” How does Dickens use the contrast between Fezziwig and Scrooge to comment on the treatment of employees?

  • Fezziwig’s success in business shows that Scrooge’s methods are ineffective.

  • Fezziwig understands the importance of rewarding his employees as he often punishes them.

  • Fezziwig’s kindness highlights the cruelty of Scrooge’s treatment of Bob Cratchit.

  • Fezziwig is generous, unlike Scrooge, because he does not understand the seriousness of business.

Did this page help you?

51 mark

What might the Ghost of Christmas Present’s “glowing torch” symbolise in its interaction with Scrooge?

  • The spreading of warmth and kindness, contrasting with Scrooge’s coldness.

  • The burden of excessive wealth that Scrooge carries, conveying his miserly ways.

  • The light of truth that exposes Scrooge’s hidden secrets and the consequences of his actions.

  • The power to manipulate time and events, allowing the spirit to guide Scrooge through different scenes.

Did this page help you?

61 mark

How does the narrator’s description of Scrooge as “hard and sharp as flint” establish his character in the novella?

  • It suggests that Scrooge is a valuable asset to society, like flint is valuable for making fire.

  • It highlights Scrooge’s tough exterior and inability to connect with others emotionally.

  • It indicates Scrooge’s sharp business acumen and intelligence.

  • It foreshadows Scrooge’s transformation into a kinder, gentler person.

Did this page help you?