1
1 mark
What narrative form does Dickens use in A Christmas Carol?
a novella
an epic
a short story
a play
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A Christmas Carol (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions
Exam code: 8702
9 hours172 questions
2
1 mark
How many staves is the novella divided into?
five
seven
three
ten
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3
1 mark
Which character does Dickens use to symbolise Scrooge's eventual redemption?
Bob Cratchit
Marley’s ghost
Fred
Tiny Tim
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4
1 mark
Why does Dickens begin the novella with Marley’s death?
to introduce the theme of death and rebirth
to provide a shocking start to the story
to confuse the reader with complex ideas
to show Scrooge’s indifference to death
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5
1 mark
Why does Dickens name each of the chapters “staves”?
to confuse the reader with musical terms
to make the narrative appear more dramatic
to link the novella to a traditional Christmas carol
to emphasise the darkness of the narrative
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6
1 mark
What kind of structure does the novella follow?
a fragmented structure
a cyclical structure
a linear structure
a parallel structure
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7
1 mark
Which of the following is an example of the cyclical structure used in the novella?
Scrooge initially refusing to give to charity but later becoming charitable.
The introduction of Marley's Ghost followed by the other three spirits.
The visit of the Ghost of Christmas Past and what it reveals.
Tiny Tim being shown as having died and then shown as being alive.
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8
1 mark
Explain why Dickens introduces the element of time in the novella.
to vary the pace of the narrative to keep the reader’s interest
to reflect Scrooge’s disorientation and confusion
to show that the passage of time can be a great healer
to show the linear progression of Scrooge’s character
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9
1 mark
How does Dickens use the spirits to illustrate the concept of limited time?
by showing Scrooge his own grave, suggesting that death is not a significant concern for him
by progressively extending each visit to make Scrooge increasingly comfortable and relaxed about his future
by giving Scrooge unlimited time with each spirit so that he can ignore the lessons they think he should learn
by showing that the spirits have only a short amount of time to influence Scrooge’s transformation
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10
1 mark
Why does Dickens use different narrative perspectives to tell the story?
to confuse the reader and make the story difficult to follow at certain points
to present a single viewpoint that limits the reader's understanding of the characters
to create a strong authorial voice and to present Scrooge’s inner thoughts and feelings
to demonstrate that the characters are unreliable and their perspectives cannot be trusted
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1
1 mark
How does Dickens use the title ‘A Christmas Carol’ to reflect the novella’s themes?
It critiques the deeply religious aspect of Christmas.
It focuses on the negative commercialisation of Christmas.
It underscores the dark and haunting tone of the narrative.
It highlights the centrality of music and joy to the novella’s message.
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2
1 mark
How does Dickens use the motif of bells in the novella?
The bells serve as a symbol of Scrooge’s wealth and status.
The bells are devices that Scrooge uses to travel through time.
The bells mark the passage of time and remind Scrooge of the urgency of his redemption.
The bells symbolise the emptiness of wealth and the senselessness of Scrooge's greed.
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3
1 mark
Comment on how Dickens’ use of the third-person narrator influences the reader's perception of Scrooge at the beginning of the novella.
The narrator uses harsh descriptions of Scrooge, to create a negative impression of his character.
The narrator portrays Scrooge as a misunderstood character, evoking sympathy from the reader.
The narrator avoids making judgements about Scrooge, allowing readers to form their own opinions.
The narrator focuses on Scrooge’s wealth and success, presenting him as a model businessman.
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4
1 mark
Suggest how Dickens' use of the Ghosts helps to convey the novella’s message.
The Ghosts show Scrooge the consequences of his actions, urging him to change quickly.
The Ghosts are there to frighten Scrooge into submission through supernatural terror.
The Ghosts are symbolic of Dickens' views on the afterlife and spiritual redemption.
The Ghosts are used to explore Dickens’ belief in the supernatural and paranormal.
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5
1 mark
How does Dickens use the dialogue between Scrooge and the spirits to develop Scrooge’s character?
The dialogue is used to establish Scrooge’s disbelief in the supernatural.
The dialogue shows Scrooge’s attempts to resist the Ghosts’ influence.
The dialogue adds realism and allows Scrooge to express his growing regret and desire to change by foregrounding his feelings.
The dialogue is designed to show Scrooge’s annoyance at being disturbed.
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6
1 mark
How does Dickens use the motif of light and darkness to symbolise Scrooge’s journey from miserliness to redemption?
Light represents Scrooge's wealth and success, while darkness symbolises his financial losses and business failures.
Darkness represents Scrooge’s ignorance and moral blindness, while light symbolises his growing awareness and compassion.
Light and darkness are used to represent the contrast between hope and death throughout Scrooge's transformative journey.
Darkness symbolises Scrooge's contentment with his solitary life, while light represents his growing dissatisfaction with life.
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7
1 mark
Suggest why Dickens chose to begin the novella with the statement “Marley was dead, to begin with.”
It establishes a tone of finality and introduces the theme of death.
It foreshadows Marley’s return as a benevolent spirit who helps Scrooge.
It creates confusion for the reader and mislead them about the protagonist’s identity.
It introduces a mysterious plotline that revolves around Marley’s resurrection.
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1
1 mark
How does Dickens use the cyclical structure to highlight Scrooge’s transformation?
by showing how Scrooge's initial kindness and generosity gradually diminish
by contrasting Scrooge’s miserly behaviour at the beginning with his generosity at the end
by keeping Scrooge’s behaviour consistent from start to finish as events around him change
by highlighting how Scrooge’s financial success comes at the cost of his personal happiness
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2
1 mark
How does Dickens manipulate time within the novella to enhance the story's themes?
by using time shifts to create confusion and emphasise Scrooge’s disorientation
by following a strict chronological order throughout the novella
by ignoring the concept of time entirely in the narrative in order to focus on Scrooge’s character
by depicting time as irrelevant to Scrooge’s transformation, which could have happened at any point
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3
1 mark
Compare the use of first-person and third-person narratives in A Christmas Carol. What is the impact of this combination on the reader?
It creates a distance between the reader and the characters that encourages analysis of Dickens’ message.
It limits the reader's understanding of Scrooge's character by focusing solely on external observations.
It enables Dickens to present a strong authorial voice while also delving into Scrooge’s inner thoughts and feelings.
It prevents the reader from becoming too comfortable with the narrative voice, thereby keeping them engaged.
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4
1 mark
Evaluate the effectiveness of Dickens’s use of staves in linking the novella’s structure to its themes.
The use of staves is purposefully confusing, mirroring Scrooge’s own confusion.
The staves ultimately disrupt the flow of the narrative and detract from the novella’s themes.
The staves help to link the novella’s structure to its themes by reflecting the traditional form of a carol.
The staves are used to divide the novella into parts, just as Scrooge’s character consists of many elements.
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5
1 mark
What is the significance of Dickens’ narrative tone in influencing the reader’s perception of Scrooge at the beginning of the novella?
The narrative tone is neutral, leaving the reader to form their own opinions of Scrooge as they see both sides of his character.
The narrative tone is indifferent, which encourages readers not to form an emotional response to Scrooge.
The narrative tone is harsh and uninviting, which distances the reader from the narrative and encourages them to consider its message.
The narrative tone is humorous and conversational which makes the reader more receptive to the portrayal of Scrooge.
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