David Copperfield MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature

David Copperfield MCQs
Updated on: October 11, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 16 min

David Copperfield MCQs

1. What was the initial asking price for David Copperfield’s caul?

A. Two pounds
B. Five shillings
C. Fifteen guineas
D. Ten shillings

C. Fifteen guineas.

The initial asking price for David’s caul was high. This detail introduces the theme of his unlucky fate at birth.

2. The advertisement for the caul was withdrawn at a dead loss because the single bidder offered two pounds cash and the balance in what?

A. Coal
B. Sherry
C. Furniture
D. Tea

B. Sherry.

The advertisement for the caul failed due to the barter for sherry. This highlights his early misfortune and poverty.

3. What was the Caul eventually won in a raffle by an old lady with a hand-basket?

A. A lottery
B. A bingo game
C. A raffle
D. An auction

C. A raffle.

The caul was won in a raffle by an old lady. This symbolizes David’s reliance on chance and fate throughout his life.

4. What did Miss Betsey do to Mr. Chillip that was calculated to break his spirit?

A. She dismissed him abruptly
B. She scolded him openly
C. She uttered a snarl
D. She threw cotton at him

C. She uttered a snarl.

Miss Betsey uttered a snarl at Mr. Chillip. This introduces her formidable, eccentric, and judgmental personality.

5. What historical event service did Miss Betsey have open in her Prayer-book during the christening?

A. The Burial Service
B. The Gunpowder Plot
C. The Matrimony Service
D. The Coronation Service

B. The Gunpowder Plot.

Miss Betsey had the Gunpowder Plot open in her Prayer-book. This shows her intense focus and strong, unusual opinions.

6. What combined smells were emitted from the dark store-room off Peggotty’s kitchen?

A. Wine and sawdust
B. Soap, pickles, pepper, candles, and coffee
C. Bread and milk
D. Mouldy fruit and spices

B. Soap, pickles, pepper, candles, and coffee.

The mingled smells of the store-room define David’s happy childhood home. They represent security and Peggotty’s domestic world.

7. What animals were feeding in the churchyard that David saw from his window?

A. Deer
B. Cows
C. Sheep
D. Goats

C. Sheep.

David saw sheep feeding in the churchyard. This image contrasts life’s natural flow with the presence of death.

8. Where did Peggotty propose taking David for a fortnight’s treat?

A. London
B. Salisbury
C. Yarmouth
D. Dover

C. Yarmouth.

Peggotty takes David to Yarmouth. This introduces him to the unique, humble, and kind Peggotty family.

9. How did Mr. Peggotty say Ham’s father (Joe) had died?

A. Drowndead
B. In a fever
C. In a foreign land
D. In a coaching accident

A. Drowndead.

Ham’s father died “drowndead.” This foreshadows the dangers of the sea, which affect several key characters later.

10. Who was Mrs. Gummidge?

A. Mr. Peggotty’s sister
B. The widow of Mr. Peggotty’s partner in a boat
C. David’s aunt
D. A local housekeeper

B. The widow of Mr. Peggotty’s partner in a boat.

Mrs. Gummidge is the widow of Mr. Peggotty’s partner. She often complains of being a “lone, lorn creetur.”

11. Mr. Murdstone’s stated satisfaction in marrying David’s mother?

A. That she was wealthy
B. That she was an experienced housekeeper
C. That she was artless, allowing him to form her character
D. That she had a large family

C. That she was artless, allowing him to form her character.

Murdstone was satisfied that Clara was “artless.” This allowed him to ruthlessly mold her character through “Firmness.”

12. When David learned lessons under the Murdstones, what miscalled quality were they endeavoring to instill in his mother?

A. Piety
B. Humility
C. Firmness
D. Devotion

C. Firmness.

The Murdstones tried to instill “Firmness” in both Clara and David. This was their cruel method of psychological control.

13. When David stumbled over his lesson, what did Mr. Murdstone tell his mother not to say?

A. Oh, Davy, Davy!
B. Try harder, dear.
C. Please be patient.
D. He’s tired.

A. Oh, Davy, Davy!.

Murdstone forbade Clara from saying “Oh, Davy, Davy!” This was designed to isolate David and prevent any show of maternal comfort.

14. The Murdstones’ treatment of David resulted in him becoming what, after about six months?

A. Sulky, dull, and dogged
B. Violent and rebellious
C. Confused and distraught
D. Clever and cunning

A. Sulky, dull, and dogged.

David became “sulky, dull, and dogged.” The cruel treatment broke his spirit and damaged his early character.

15. What kind of cane did Mr. Murdstone prepare by binding something around the bottom?

A. A heavy, thick cane
B. A lithe and limber cane
C. A bamboo stick
D. A decorative cane

B. A lithe and limber cane.

Murdstone prepared a “lithe and limber cane.” This describes the calculated, chilling nature of his physical punishment.

16. Miss Murdstone compared the idea of flogging to what idea?

A. Being wise
B. Being firm
C. Being natural
D. Being sure

B. Being firm.

Miss Murdstone compared flogging to “Being firm.” This shows the cold, shared philosophy of the siblings’ cruelty.

17. The ringing of bells, murmuring of voices, and footsteps on the stairs all made David feel more dismal in his solitude and disgrace than what other sounds?

A. Crying
B. Laughing, whistling, or singing outside
C. The clock striking
D. The wind

B. Laughing, whistling, or singing outside.

The happy sounds of others made David feel more alone. This contrasts his disgrace with the world’s simple joys.

18. What was the punishment decided for David after the physical confrontation with Mr. Murdstone?

A. Being sent to the workhouse
B. Being sent to school near London
C. Being locked in his room
D. Being starved

B. Being sent to school near London.

David was punished by being sent to a school near London. This removed him from his mother and home permanently.

19. David felt more solitary than whom, while waiting at the booking-office?

A. Alexander Selkirk
B. Robinson Crusoe
C. Tom Jones
D. Gil Blas

B. Robinson Crusoe.

David compared his isolation to that of Robinson Crusoe. This highlights his reliance on literature for emotional escape and survival.

20. The clerk at the booking-office pushed David over to a man as if he were what?

A. Weighed, bought, delivered, and paid for
B. A troublesome parcel
C. Lost property
D. A piece of luggage

A. Weighed, bought, delivered, and paid for.

The clerk treated David as if he were “Weighed, bought, delivered, and paid for.” This represents David’s feeling of being a helpless commodity.

21. What warning was written on the placard tied to David’s back?

A. Take care of him. He is clumsy.
B. He is stubborn.
C. Take care of him. He bites.
D. He is a runaway.

C. Take care of him. He bites.

The placard warning read: “Take care of him. He bites.” This cruel public humiliation was the Murdstones’ final act of spite.

22. Who was the man with the wooden leg who worked at Salem House?

A. Mr. Mell
B. Mr. Creakle
C. Tungay
D. J. Steerforth

C. Tungay.

Tungay, the man with the wooden leg, worked at Salem House. He was Mr. Creakle’s brutal assistant and spy.

23. What instrument did Mr. Mell play after putting up his things for the night?

A. The violin
B. The flute
C. The piano
D. The horn

B. The flute.

Mr. Mell played the flute at night. This small detail shows his hidden capacity for sensitivity and artistic release amidst his poverty.

24. Mr. Creakle claimed to have the happiness of knowing David’s what, whom he described as a worthy man?

A. Uncle
B. Grandfather
C. Father-in-law
D. Guardian

C. Father-in-law.

Creakle claimed knowledge of David’s “father-in-law.” This shows Mr. Murdstone’s pervasive influence and control over David’s life.

25. What object did Steerforth keep on the mantelpiece that he threatened to knock Mr. Creakle down with?

A. A seven-and-sixpenny ink-bottle
B. A marble bust
C. A cricket bat
D. A small knife

A. A seven-and-sixpenny ink-bottle.

Steerforth threatened Creakle with an ink-bottle. This highlights Steerforth’s charismatic defiance and immunity to punishment.

26. Steerforth promised to make David’s storytelling sessions at night into regular what?

A. Tragedies
B. Comedies
C. Arabian Nights
D. Histories

C. Arabian Nights.

Steerforth promised to turn David’s stories into “Arabian Nights.” This shows Steerforth’s power to elevate David’s imagination and status.

27. Who acted as a “sort of chorus” during the storytelling sessions?

A. Mr. Mell
B. Traddles
C. George Demple
D. Mr. Creakle

B. Traddles.

Tommy Traddles acted as a “sort of chorus.” This illustrates his good-natured support for David and his friends.

28. How did the boys generally abuse Mr. Mell when Mr. Creakle was absent?

A. Threw food at him
B. Mimicked his poverty, boots, coat, and mother
C. Ignored him completely
D. Locked him out of the room

B. Mimicked his poverty, boots, coat, and mother.

The boys mimicked Mr. Mell’s poverty and his mother. This cruelty was driven by Steerforth and led to Mell’s firing.

29. Steerforth called Mr. Mell an impudent what, when confronting him?

A. Knave
B. Beggar
C. Tyrant
D. Fool

B. Beggar.

Steerforth called Mr. Mell an “impudent beggar.” This illustrates the callousness of the wealthy toward the poor.

30. What did David’s visitors from Yarmouth bring as a “little relish” for him?

A. Cake and ale
B. Two prodigious lobsters, an enormous crab, and shrimps
C. Fresh fish and potatoes
D. A basket of apples

B. Two prodigious lobsters, an enormous crab, and shrimps.

The visitors brought lobsters, a crab, and shrimps. This generosity contrasts sharply with the coldness of Salem House.

31. What was Mr. Barkis waiting for an answer to?

A. A letter
B. A declaration that “Barkis is willin'”
C. His travel plans
D. Peggotty’s name

B. A declaration that “Barkis is willin’.”.

Mr. Barkis was waiting for the answer to “Barkis is willin’.” This running declaration proposes marriage to Peggotty.

32. What was Peggotty’s Christian name?

A. Agnes
B. Clara
C. Emily
D. Jane

B. Clara.

Peggotty’s Christian name is Clara. David’s mother also shares this name, strengthening their intimate connection.

33. What did David study on evenings, when he did not dare to read an entertaining book?

A. Architectural treatise
B. Hard-headed treatise on arithmetic
C. Latin grammar
D. Religious tract

B. Hard-headed treatise on arithmetic.

David studied arithmetic, as it seemed less likely to provoke Murdstone’s anger than imaginative literature.

34. What did the five thousand cheeses turn into during the lesson when David broke down?

A. Pounds
B. Canes
C. Calculations
D. Figures

B. Canes.

The five thousand cheeses turned into canes. This shows David’s terror and fixation on the impending punishment.

35. What was the name of the establishment where David was forced to begin life on his own account?

A. Doctor Strong’s School
B. Salem House
C. Murdstone and Grinby’s
D. The King’s Bench

C. Murdstone and Grinby’s.

David was forced to work at Murdstone and Grinby’s. This experience marked the sudden, brutal end of his childhood and innocence.

36. What was Mr. Micawber’s head compared to in appearance?

A. A turnip
B. An egg
C. A pumpkin
D. A polished apple

B. An egg.

Mr. Micawber’s head was compared to an egg. This detail captures his comical, unique, and slightly impractical appearance.

37. What was engraved on the great brass plate in the centre of Mrs. Micawber’s street door?

A. “Apartments to Let”
B. “Mrs. Micawber’s Boarding Establishment for Young Ladies”
C. “W. Micawber, Gentleman”
D. “Debt Collector”

B. “Mrs. Micawber’s Boarding Establishment for Young Ladies.”.

The doorplate falsely advertised a “Boarding Establishment for Young Ladies.” This highlights the Micawbers’ constant financial pretense.

38. What did Mr. Micawber declare on coming home, sometimes, with a flood of tears?

A. That he was leaving
B. That nothing was now left but a jail
C. That he was reformed
D. That he was rich

B. That nothing was now left but a jail.

Micawber declared that nothing was left but a jail. This reflects his cyclical financial crises and fatalistic despair.

39. Mr. Micawber’s financial philosophy stated that if annual expenditure exceeded twenty pounds by sixpence, the result was what?

A. Bankruptcy
B. Misery
C. Imprisonment
D. Suicide

B. Misery.

If expenditure exceeded income by sixpence, the result was “Misery.” This humorous rule defined his perpetual financial instability.

40. What was the famous calculation Mr. Micawber often made, ‘in case anything turned up’?

A. The cost of a new business
B. The expense of putting bow-windows to the house
C. The price of a divorce
D. The interest on his debts

B. The expense of putting bow-windows to the house.

Micawber often calculated the cost of putting bow-windows on his house. This reflects his unrealistic, optimistic financial hope.

41. What profession did Mr. Waterbrook say Traddles was reading for?

A. Law
B. Medicine
C. Divinity
D. Architecture

A. Law.

Mr. Waterbrook confirms Traddles was reading for Law. Traddles later becomes a respectable and successful lawyer.

42. What was the favorite topic of conversation among the genteel guests at the Waterbrook dinner party?

A. Architecture
B. Political Economy
C. Blood
D. The Classics

C. Blood.

The genteel guests focused on “Blood.” This satirizes the Victorian obsession with aristocratic lineage and social class.

43. What animal did Miss Trotwood call Uriah Heep when telling him to control himself?

A. A serpent
B. A rat
C. An eel
D. A slug

C. An eel.

Miss Trotwood called Uriah Heep an “eel.” This captures his slippery, humble, and intensely repulsive nature.

44. Uriah Heep was raised at a foundation school for boys and got the monitor-medal by being what?

A. Clever
B. Strong
C. Humble
D. Respectful

C. Humble.

Uriah Heep won the monitor-medal by being “Humble.” This shows he consciously weaponized his humility to gain power.

45. Uriah threatened to use his sense of power over Wickfield to achieve what?

A. Gaining a partnership
B. Marrying Agnes
C. Destroying his reputation
D. Fleeing the country

B. Marrying Agnes.

Uriah threatened to marry Agnes. This reveals his deepest ambition and desire to seize control of the Wickfield family.

46. Who was the most respectable-looking servant David observed at Mrs. Steerforth’s house?

A. The Native
B. Littimer
C. Tungay
D. Mr. Barkis

B. Littimer.

Littimer was the most respectable servant. His excessive respectability masks his true role as Steerforth’s vile accomplice.

47. What was Em’ly’s impression of Steerforth’s dramatic shipwreck story?

A. She laughed hysterically
B. She saw it all before her
C. She found it boring
D. She thought it unsuitable

B. She saw it all before her.

Em’ly “saw it all before her.” This hints at her deep, romantic imagination, which makes her vulnerable to Steerforth’s charm.

48. What did Miss Mowcher always carry and give away to young ladies as the best introduction?

A. Snuff
B. Scraps of the Russian Prince’s nails
C. Hairpins
D. Perfume bottles

B. Scraps of the Russian Prince’s nails.

Miss Mowcher distributed the nails as a strange souvenir. This detail highlights her unique and eccentric character.

49. What item of clothing did David’s aunt start wearing when she came to London after losing her fortune?

A. Widow’s weeds
B. Corduroy trousers
C. Linen robes
D. Sailor’s coat

B. Corduroy trousers.

Miss Trotwood started wearing corduroy trousers. This symbolizes her descent into poverty after losing her fortune to Heep.

50. What position had Mr. Micawber achieved in Australia, according to the Port Middlebay Times?

A. Colonial Solicitor
B. District Magistrate
C. Mayor
D. Governor

B. District Magistrate.

Mr. Micawber achieved the position of District Magistrate in Australia. This fulfills his potential in a new country.

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