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The Great Charles Dickens Trivia Quiz

Charles John Huffam Dickens is one of the most beloved authors of all time. Born into poverty in 1812, he used his many experiences to illustrate how one can rise above adversity and achieve happiness and success in life.

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

Author
richicago

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
309,679

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1029

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 2 (9/10), Guest 147 (9/10), Guest 107 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. At the age of twelve Dickens was given a job in which place? Hint

Blacksmith shop

Blacking warehouse

Counting house

Meatpacking factory

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Question 2 of 10

2. Showing signs of being a prodigy at the age of 19, Dickens' next major position was as a Court and Parliamentary reporter. It was then that he began writing a series of humorous sketches that he novelized and titled: Hint

The Pickford Papers

The Pickwick Papers

The Warwick Papers

The Pitchfork Papers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Early in his career, Dickens used what pseudonym? Hint

Biz

Bozo

Pickwick

Boz

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Question 4 of 10

4. Toby Crackit, Bill Sikes and Mr. Bumble are characters in Dickens' first serious novel. Can you name it? Hint

Dombey And Son

Oliver Twist

Bleak House

Barnaby Rudge

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Question 5 of 10

5. Considered by many as his best work, this novel originally had a different ending. Can you name it? Hint

Oliver Twist

Great Expectations

The Cricket On The Hearth

A Tale Of Two Cities

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Question 6 of 10

6. Of all the books Dickens wrote, this was his favorite. Some of the characters were Mr. Murdstone, Aunt Peggotty and Mr. Micawber. Hint

David Copperfield

A Tale Of Two Cities

Oliver Twist

A Christmas Carol

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood"? Hint

He was poisoned by his wife

Nobody knows

He was shot by his business partner

He assumed a new identity and fled the country

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Question 8 of 10

8. The beloved tale of Ebenezer Scrooge is really not entitled simply, "A Christmas Carol".

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times" was the opening line to which Dickens novel?

Answer: (5 Words)

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Question 10 of 10

10. Charles and Catherine Dickens had ten children.

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 08 2024 : Guest 2: 9/10
Apr 05 2024 : Guest 147: 9/10
Mar 31 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 82: 10/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 90: 8/10
Mar 08 2024 : pauline53: 8/10
Mar 07 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Feb 21 2024 : Guest 90: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. At the age of twelve Dickens was given a job in which place?

Answer: Blacking warehouse

After his father was sent to debtor's prison, young Charles worked for a business that manufactured, packed and distributed "blacking", or polish, for shoes and boots. His thankless job was to paste labels on the bottles of polish.

Answer: The Pickwick Papers

In his preface he refers to them as "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club".

3. Early in his career, Dickens used what pseudonym?

Answer: Boz

"Boz" was a pet name for his brother Augustus. Dickens later made it the middle name of his son Charles, Jr.

4. Toby Crackit, Bill Sikes and Mr. Bumble are characters in Dickens' first serious novel. Can you name it?

Answer: Oliver Twist

Interestingly, "Oliver Twist" was originally published in serial form and later edited by Dickens into its present form. It has since been memorialized by Hollywood and on stage ("Oliver!").

5. Considered by many as his best work, this novel originally had a different ending. Can you name it?

Answer: Great Expectations

The original ending depicted Pip as being "A Man Alone". After considerable urging by his contemporary, Bullwer-Lytton, Dickens gave it a happy ending. The copy of the book that I have contains both endings.

6. Of all the books Dickens wrote, this was his favorite. Some of the characters were Mr. Murdstone, Aunt Peggotty and Mr. Micawber.

Answer: David Copperfield

"David Copperfield", first published in 1850,is considered to be the most autobiographical of all his works. The actual title of the book is "The Personal History Of David Copperfield".

7. What is "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood"?

Answer: Nobody knows

"The Mystery Of Edwin Drood" was set to be published in twelve installments. Unfortunately, Dickens died after the completion of only six. Despite this dire turn of events, the book was published, and later, motion pictures were made creating their own solutions to the mystery.

8. The beloved tale of Ebenezer Scrooge is really not entitled simply, "A Christmas Carol".

Answer: true

The correct title is "A Christmas Carol In Prose". Under this title is a subtitle "Being a Ghost Story Of Christmas".

9. "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times" was the opening line to which Dickens novel?

Answer: A Tale Of Two Cities

"A Tale Of Two Cities" and "Barnaby Rudge" are his only two works of historical fiction.

10. Charles and Catherine Dickens had ten children.

Answer: true

An interesting group to say the least. Son Henry was knighted and son Edward was elected to Parliament in New South Wales. Daughter Mary wrote a biography of her father. None of the others displayed any particular literary talent. His oldest son, Charles Culliford Boz Dickens, fell into bankruptcy and his father had to hire him on a year round basis to keep him solvent. Typical of the type of person Charles Dickens was.

A great author and a great man.

Source: Author richicago

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