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?"

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21 mark

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

  • Bob Cratchit

  • Scrooge

  • Tiny Tim

  • Fred

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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"

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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