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Dickens' Biography Trivia Quiz

Questions about the life and death of Charles Dickens for the true 'Dickensophile'. Have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bethanny. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Bethanny

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
35,816

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
795

Last 3 plays: Guest 95 (6/10), Guest 95 (3/10), Guest 86 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where is Charles Dickens buried? Hint

Italy

Gad's Hill

Westminster Abbey

Scotland

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Question 2 of 10

2. Where did Dickens work during his younger days that caused him to be deeply ashamed and to retain a life-long bitterness towards his mother? Hint

wharf

office

warehouse

blacking factory

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of his novels was his first? Hint

Pickwick Papers

Mystery of Edwin Drood

Barnaby Rudge

Little Dorrit

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Question 4 of 10

4. Was "Pickwick Papers" originally intended to be a novel?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. When Dickens separated from Catherine, which of these did he claim as one of the causes? Hint

unnatural mother

alienation of affection

adultery

desertion

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of the young actress he is reputed to have pursued and had a lasting relationship with? Hint

Fanny Kemble

Ellen Ternan

Marie Curie

Fanny Brice

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the address of the home in London that is still carefully preserved as a Charles Dickens museum? Hint

21 Oak Drive

11 Downing St.

Gad's Hill

48 Doughty St

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Question 8 of 10

8. What natural wonder did Dickens admire when visiting America for the first time? Hint

Grand Canyon

Niagara Falls

Carlsbad Caverns

Lake Erie

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Question 9 of 10

9. Charles Dickens had a taste for very flashy what? Hint

all of the above

trousers

waistcoats

shoes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who was one of the most memorable illustrators of Dickens's books? Hint

George Cruikshank

Toulouse-Latrec

Edward Gorey

Wilkie Collins

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 14 2024 : Guest 95: 6/10
Apr 11 2024 : Guest 95: 3/10
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 86: 7/10
Mar 10 2024 : Guest 176: 5/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 176: 7/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 188: 3/10
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 198: 1/10
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 95: 4/10
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 77: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where is Charles Dickens buried?

Answer: Westminster Abbey

Charles had specifically requested not to be buried in Westminster Abbey but in some quiet and green churchyard. His family bowed to public pressure though and he is buried in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey along with other literary greats.

2. Where did Dickens work during his younger days that caused him to be deeply ashamed and to retain a life-long bitterness towards his mother?

Answer: blacking factory

Charles was put to work in a blacking factory to help his family financially. His father (reputedly after spying him at work through the front window) took him away from this employment. His mother wanted him to return to the job, something he never forgave her for.

3. Which of his novels was his first?

Answer: Pickwick Papers

Pickwick Papers was his first complete novel. It is the most comedic of his novels and while many critics dismissed it as not being serious enough, it holds public affection to this day.

4. Was "Pickwick Papers" originally intended to be a novel?

Answer: No

"Pickwick Papers" was intended to be a serial publication about the adventures of a Cockney sporting club.

5. When Dickens separated from Catherine, which of these did he claim as one of the causes?

Answer: unnatural mother

Among other reasons, Dickens claimed that Catherine was not a good mother and that her children had not the natural affection towards her as children should a mother. Many theorize that this was Dickens's way of justifying his split from Catherine so that he could pursue a young actress unfettered by his wife.

6. What was the name of the young actress he is reputed to have pursued and had a lasting relationship with?

Answer: Ellen Ternan

Ellen Ternan, a young actress he had met, was reputed to have been his companion if not his mistress for many years. There is a strong theory that he was actually at her house on the day of his death, becoming ill there and then being moved to Gad's Hill where he died.

7. What is the address of the home in London that is still carefully preserved as a Charles Dickens museum?

Answer: 48 Doughty St

Dickens lived there with his family only briefly but it is a fascinating place to visit for Dickens lovers. It is centrally located in Holborn, London WC1.

8. What natural wonder did Dickens admire when visiting America for the first time?

Answer: Niagara Falls

Dickens had a childlike and exuberant fascination with natural wonders. They often moved him to tears.

9. Charles Dickens had a taste for very flashy what?

Answer: waistcoats

He was occasionally described as being a bit tasteless in his love of flashy clothing.

10. Who was one of the most memorable illustrators of Dickens's books?

Answer: George Cruikshank

Cruikshank's illustrations are some of those best remembered.

Source: Author Bethanny

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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