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Quiz about The Wicked Wit of Charles Dickens

The Wicked Wit of Charles Dickens Quiz

The works of Charles Dickens are full of the most amazing and delightfully imaginative similes, metaphors and other colourful figures of speech. Can you answer these questions about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by balaton. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
balaton

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
366,006

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
366

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "(He)lay tucked up warm ...immediately in front of the fire as if his constitution were analogous to that of a muffin, and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new."
What character in what Dickens' book is being referred to here? Hint

The Veneerings' brand new baby in "Our Mutual Friend�

Oliver in" Oliver Twist"

David's little brother in "David Copperfield"

Paul Dombey in "Dombey and Son"

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. "Cows are my passion. What I have ever sighed for, has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows -and china."
This "bon mot" is by Mrs Skewton. In which Charles Dickens book? Hint

Dombey and Son

Little Dorrit

Great Expectations

O)liver Twist

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "Mr Squeers's appearance was not prepossessing. He had but one eye and the popular prejudice runs favour of two"
In what Dickens book does Mr Squeers appear? Hint

Bleak House

Great Expectations

Barnaby Rudge

Nicholas Nickleby

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "Mr Chadband is a large yellow man with a fat smile and a general appearance of having a great deal of train oil in his system"
In which Dickens book would we find this oily gentleman? Hint

Little Dorrit

The Chimes

A Christmas Carol

Bleak House

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which character in Charles Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit" holds this philosophy -
"Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that!"? Hint

Tom Pinch

Mark Tapley

Jonas Chuzzlewit

Seth Pecksniff

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "It was true ... as turnips is. It was as true ... as taxes is. And nothing's truer than them"
In Dickens' "David Copperfield" who uttered this profundity? Hint

Mr Peggoty

Mr Creakle

Ham

Mr Barkis

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. "Take another glass of wine and excuse me mentioning that society as a body does not expect one to be so strictly conscientious in emptying one's glass as to turn it bottom upwards with the rim on one's nose!"
Who gave Pip in Dickens' "Great Expectations" this bit of social guidance? Hint

Miss Havisham

Uncle Pumblechook

Biddy

Herbert Pocket

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Who, in Dickens'"Martin Chuzzlewit", said "There is no such passion in human nature as the passion for gravy among commercial gentlemen"? Hint

Miss Pinch

Mrs Todgers

Charity Pecksniff

Augustus Moddle

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "If you could see my legs when I take my boots off, you'd form some idea of what unrequited affection is"
What lovelorn gentleman makes this complaint in which Dickens' book?
Hint

Smike in "Nicholas Nickleby"

Simon Tappertit in " Barnaby Rudge"

The fat boy in "Pickwick Papers"

Mr Toots in "Dombey and Son"

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which Dickensian character makes this judgement
"There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts." Hint

Mr Gradgrind in "Hard Times"

Mr Brownlow in "Oliver Twist"

Mr Dick in "David Copperfield"

Drt Strong in "David Copperfield"

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "(He)lay tucked up warm ...immediately in front of the fire as if his constitution were analogous to that of a muffin, and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new." What character in what Dickens' book is being referred to here?

Answer: Paul Dombey in "Dombey and Son"

Unfortunately in spite of all the care lavished on him, Paul does not thrive and it is left to his older sister to be a comfort to her father, although it takes Mr Dombey a long time to appreciate her.

2. "Cows are my passion. What I have ever sighed for, has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows -and china." This "bon mot" is by Mrs Skewton. In which Charles Dickens book?

Answer: Dombey and Son

Mrs Skewton (Cleopatra) is the 70 year old mother of the second Mrs Dombey, who tries to appear much younger than she is. She is described, when being made ready for bed by her maid, as being "tumbled into ruins like a house of painted cards".

3. "Mr Squeers's appearance was not prepossessing. He had but one eye and the popular prejudice runs favour of two" In what Dickens book does Mr Squeers appear?

Answer: Nicholas Nickleby

Squeers is the proprietor of Dotheboys Hall, infamous for its cruel treatment of unwanted boys. Nicholas eventually gives him a sound thrashing before encouraging all the boys to run away. In the end he is transported.

4. "Mr Chadband is a large yellow man with a fat smile and a general appearance of having a great deal of train oil in his system" In which Dickens book would we find this oily gentleman?

Answer: Bleak House

Chadband is a hypocritical and sanctimonious clergyman who persecutes the poor crossing sweeper Joe and epitomises all Dickens' disgust at the social evils of his time.

5. Which character in Charles Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit" holds this philosophy - "Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that!"?

Answer: Mark Tapley

Mark shines in adversity. He goes to America with Martin and saves his life by selflessly nursing him. He is the means of Martin's redemption ultimately.

6. "It was true ... as turnips is. It was as true ... as taxes is. And nothing's truer than them" In Dickens' "David Copperfield" who uttered this profundity?

Answer: Mr Barkis

Mr Barkis of course is the carrier who famously declared his love for Peggoty with the message "Barkis is Willin'"

7. "Take another glass of wine and excuse me mentioning that society as a body does not expect one to be so strictly conscientious in emptying one's glass as to turn it bottom upwards with the rim on one's nose!" Who gave Pip in Dickens' "Great Expectations" this bit of social guidance?

Answer: Herbert Pocket

Pip shares rooms with Herbert in London and Herbert teaches him to become a gentleman rather than a country blacksmith.

8. Who, in Dickens'"Martin Chuzzlewit", said "There is no such passion in human nature as the passion for gravy among commercial gentlemen"?

Answer: Mrs Todgers

Todgers is the lodging for commercial gentlemen where the Pecksniffs stay for a while. Charity is Mr Moddle's "intended".

9. "If you could see my legs when I take my boots off, you'd form some idea of what unrequited affection is" What lovelorn gentleman makes this complaint in which Dickens' book?

Answer: Mr Toots in "Dombey and Son"

Mr Toots loves Florence Dombey but she marries Walter Gay. Toots however finds happiness with the irrepressible Susan Nipper.

10. Which Dickensian character makes this judgement "There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts."

Answer: Mr Brownlow in "Oliver Twist"

Mr Brownlow is the wise and benevolent old gentleman who adopts Oliver

Source: Author balaton

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