Deniel Deronda MCQs

Author's Photo
Have a specific topic you'd like me to cover? Feel free to contact me with your suggestions.
Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature

Deniel Deronda MCQs
Updated on: October 30, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 17 min

Daniel Deronda MCQs

1. Where does the novel open, showing Gwendolen gambling?

A. Leubronn
B. Baden-Baden
C. Nice
D. London

A. Leubronn.
The story begins near four o’clock on a September day in the gambling resort of Leubronn.

2. What quality in Gwendolen’s glance gave Deronda unrest?

A. Dynamic quality
B. Undisturbed charm
C. Sadness
D. Great affection

A. Dynamic quality.
Deronda questioned the form and expression that gave her glance a dynamic quality, causing unrest.

3. Who was standing behind Gwendolen while she played roulette?

A. Her chaperone
B. A respectable tradesman
C. A melancholy little boy
D. An Italian banker

C. A melancholy little boy.
Close behind the gambling lady stood a melancholy little boy in a fancy dress costume.

4. What item was stolen that she wished she had not lost before her mother’s letter arrived?

A. Her scarf
B. A large coin
C. Her winnings
D. A valuable ring

C. Her winnings.
Gwendolen was angry that she had lost her winnings at roulette just before receiving news of ruin.
5. What was the cause of Mrs. Davilow’s sudden financial calamity?

A. Gambling debts
B. Bad investment in mines
C. Theft by servants
D. Grapnell & Co.’s failure

D. Grapnell & Co.’s failure.
Mrs. Davilow reported that Grapnell & Co. had failed for a million pounds, leaving them in total ruin.

6. What specific garment was Gwendolen wearing when she appeared in the evening?

A. Pale gray gown
B. Black velvet
C. Sea-green robes
D. White silk

C. Sea-green robes.
Gwendolen Harleth was dressed as a Nereid in sea-green robes with silver ornaments, showing her style.

7. Why did Gwendolen turn to look at Deronda after losing a stake?

A. She admired his cane
B. Her eyes accidentally met his
C. She wanted his attention
D. She asked for money

B. Her eyes accidentally met his.
During her survey, her eyes met Deronda’s, and she was unable to avert them immediately.

8. Who does Mr. Vandernoodt tell Gwendolen that Deronda is staying with?

A. Mr. Lush
B. Sir Hugo Mallinger
C. Herr Klesmer
D. State Councillor Jakob

B. Sir Hugo Mallinger.
Mr. Vandernoodt informed Gwendolen that the dark-haired young man was staying with Sir Hugo Mallinger.

9. Why did Gwendolen ask Deronda to come see her, even if she was bored?

A. He looked distinguished
B. He was smoking
C. He never spoke much
D. He was handsome

C. He never spoke much.
Gwendolen desired his acquaintance because he rarely spoke, unlike other young men who annoyed her.
10. What did Gwendolen realize when she looked in the mirror after reading the ruin letter?

A. She was getting gray hair
B. Her hair was perfectly ordered
C. She looked terrible
D. She lacked commitment

B. Her hair was perfectly ordered.
She looked in the mirror and noticed her smooth, light-brown hair was still perfectly coiled for a ballroom.

11. What item did Gwendolen decide to sell to get more money for gambling?

A. A gold watch
B. An Etruscan necklace
C. Her emerald ring
D. Her silver cap

B. An Etruscan necklace.
Gwendolen decided to raise money early the next morning by selling an Etruscan necklace she owned.

12. How did Gwendolen feel when she learned she would have to be dependent due to poverty?

A. Stupefied
B. Relieved
C. Immediately decisive
D. Angry at her father

A. Stupefied.
The first effect of the letter was half-stupefying, as she always expected luxurious ease.

13. Who suddenly repurchased the necklace Gwendolen sold and returned it to her?

A. Mr. Lush
B. Sir Hugo
C. Daniel Deronda
D. Mr. Vandernoodt

C. Daniel Deronda.
Gwendolen instantly believed that Deronda, the “stranger,” must have repurchased the necklace and returned it.

14. What did the anonymous note accompanying the necklace tell Gwendolen?

A. To quit immediately
B. To stop risking loss
C. To start working
D. To marry quickly

B. To stop risking loss.
The note entreated her not to risk the loss of the necklace again by gambling at the tables.
15. What memory made Gwendolen wince when she was twelve years old?

A. Being separated from her mother
B. Strangling her sister’s canary-bird
C. Losing money at cards
D. Being harshly scolded by her uncle

B. Strangling her sister’s canary-bird.
She felt shame over an incident where she strangled her sister’s canary-bird in a fit of exasperation.

16. In which specific room at Offendene did Gwendolen first try to imitate St. Cecilia?

A. The library
B. The kitchen
C. The drawing-room
D. Her bedroom

C. The drawing-room.
Gwendolen enthusiastically seated herself at the organ in the drawing-room to pose as St. Cecilia.

17. What terrifying object did Isabel accidentally reveal behind a panel?

A. A hidden treasure chest
B. A picture of a dead face
C. A large knife
D. A portrait of her father

B. A picture of a dead face.
A hinged panel opened, disclosing the horrible picture of an upturned dead face and a fleeing figure.

18. What was Gwendolen’s chief source of discomfort regarding her small half-sisters?

A. They were too ugly
B. They were numerous and uninteresting
C. They hated her beauty
D. They stole her clothes

B. They were numerous and uninteresting.
Gwendolen viewed the four other girls as superfluous and an obtrusive, unimportant fact in her life.

19. What specific skill did Gwendolen excel at, making her uncle proud, besides riding?

A. Singing
B. Archery
C. Painting
D. Latin translation

B. Archery.
Mr. Gascoigne was gratified that Gwendolen showed elements of skill as a strong archer.
20. Why did Gwendolen dread marrying, according to her thoughts?

A. She feared poverty
B. She would be forced to have children
C. She hated her potential husbands
D. It meant enduring dull domestic fetters

D. It meant enduring dull domestic fetters.
She viewed matrimony as a dreary state where a woman was constrained by domestic fetters and dullness.

21. Who was the wealthy banker who hosted the large dinner party where Gwendolen was admired?

A. Lord Brackenshaw
B. Mr. Quallon
C. Mr. Bult
D. Mr. Arrowpoint

D. Mr. Arrowpoint.
Gwendolen received her introduction to local society at a large dinner party hosted by Mr. Arrowpoint at Quetcham Hall.

22. How did Gwendolen feel immediately after Klesmer’s brilliant piano performance?

A. Overwhelmed with admiration
B. Wounded in her egoism
C. Inspired to practice harder
D. Ready to marry him

B. Wounded in her egoism.
Despite feeling the power of his playing, she was wounded in her egoism and mortified.

23. What sharp criticism did Klesmer deliver about Gwendolen’s preferred music?

A. It was technically easy
B. It was puerile and dawdling
C. It required a high voice
D. It was too fast

B. It was puerile and dawdling.
Klesmer said her song was a form of melody expressing a puerile state of culture, dawdling.

24. What comparison did Gwendolen use when looking at Miss Arrowpoint’s gold dress?

A. A Greek statue
B. A figure of Wealth
C. A lady of distinction
D. A beautiful serpent

B. A figure of Wealth.
Gwendolen compared Miss Arrowpoint’s gold dress to the figure of Wealth in an allegory.
25. What did Gwendolen immediately notice about Grandcourt that contradicted her imaginary portrait?

A. He was much taller
B. He looked very animated
C. He had an extensive baldness
D. He wore an eye-glass

C. He had an extensive baldness.
He showed an extensive baldness, surrounded with a mere fringe of reddish-blonde hair.

26. What was Gwendolen’s chief feeling during her first private conversation with Grandcourt?

A. Disgust at his coldness
B. Fear of his wealth
C. An unwonted blush and sense of surprise
D. Anger at his slowness

C. An unwonted blush and sense of surprise.
Gwendolen felt an unwonted flush in her cheeks and a sense of surprise, feeling less mistress of herself.

27. Who appeared at the ball that evening who had been banished by Gwendolen?

A. Mr. Vandernoodt
B. Mr. Lush
C. Herr Klesmer
D. Rex Gascoigne

B. Mr. Lush.
Mr. Lush, whom Gwendolen disliked, reappeared near Lady Brackenshaw’s elbow that evening.

28. Why did Grandcourt force Gwendolen to see Mr. Lush again, despite her expressed dislike?

A. Lush was his indispensable aide
B. Lush was Gwendolen’s cousin
C. Lush was to marry Gwendolen’s sister
D. Lush managed his yachting trips

A. Lush was his indispensable aide.
Grandcourt required Lush’s services for business and travel arrangements, finding him indispensable.

29. What was the central business Grandcourt wanted Lush to arrange for him in London?

A. Buying new horses
B. Transferring an estate (Diplow) for cash
C. Hiring a new yacht crew
D. Arranging the wedding date

B. Transferring an estate (Diplow) for cash.
Sir Hugo offered Grandcourt ready money as an equivalent for his prospective interest in Diplow.
30. What was Gwendolen doing with her whip when Grandcourt pressed her about marrying?

A. Hitting her horse
B. Whipping a rhododendron bush
C. Dropping it into the stream
D. Holding it tightly by the handle

B. Whipping a rhododendron bush.
Gwendolen nervously ran on speaking quickly while lightly whipping the rhododendron bush in front of her.

31. What did Gwendolen finally ask Grandcourt to promise her that she disliked?

A. That she could ride Criterion
B. Nothing that she did not like
C. That he would never leave her
D. That they would have children

B. Nothing that she did not like.
Gwendolen playfully insisted he promise that she would have nothing that she did not like.

32. What specific object did Gwendolen long to set up in Offendene after her reversal?

A. A large piano
B. Klesmer’s portrait
C. Her old life
D. A stage theatre

C. Her old life.
Gwendolen’s final plan, in her desperation, was to “piece back her life” to the time they first went to Offendene.

33. What did Gwendolen propose as a means of earning a living when she lost her fortune?

A. Becoming a lawyer
B. Taking a situation as a governess
C. Working in trade
D. Moving to America

B. Taking a situation as a governess.
Mr. Gascoigne presented her with two offers for situations where she would be a governess.

34. How did Gwendolen feel about the notion of being a governess?

A. Enthusiastic
B. She preferred emigrating
C. She thought it delightful
D. She saw it as an opportunity

B. She preferred emigrating.
She utterly despised the idea of being a governess, stating she would rather emigrate.
35. Whom did Gwendolen abruptly send for after deciding against being a governess?

A. Mr. Lush
B. Herr Klesmer
C. Mr. Gascoigne
D. Sir Hugo Mallinger

B. Herr Klesmer.
Gwendolen quickly wrote a note requesting the great knowledge and judgment of Herr Klesmer.

36. How old was Gwendolen when Klesmer told her she should have begun training earlier?

A. Nineteen
B. Twenty-one
C. Thirty
D. Seventeen

B. Twenty-one.
When Klesmer inquired, Gwendolen stated her age was twenty-one, confirming she was too old to begin.

37. What profession did Klesmer say Gwendolen might, at best, achieve?

A. Competence
B. Mediocrity
C. High art
D. Greatness

B. Mediocrity.
Klesmer warned Gwendolen that, in measuring probabilities, her achievement would hardly be more than mediocrity.

38. What news did Klesmer give Gwendolen regarding his own marriage?

A. He was marrying an actress
B. He was marrying Miss Arrowpoint
C. He was marrying Mrs. Davilow
D. He was marrying his pupil

B. He was marrying Miss Arrowpoint.
Klesmer confided that he was expecting to marry Miss Arrowpoint, the heiress, soon.

39. Who was the older woman who warned Gwendolen against relying on her “charter” as a lady?

A. Mrs. Davilow
B. Mrs. Gascoigne
C. Mrs. Arrowpoint
D. Lady Pentreath

C. Mrs. Arrowpoint.
Mrs. Arrowpoint imperiously told her daughter, Catherine, that a woman must follow duty where inclination clashes.
40. What action of Gwendolen’s roused her uncle’s strongest disapproval?

A. Her stubborn silence
B. Her lack of good sense about circumstances
C. Her petulance about her mother
D. Her not wanting to be inspected by Mrs. Mompert

B. Her lack of good sense about the circumstances.
Mr. Gascoigne supposed that Gwendolen would adapt to circumstances like a girl of good sense.

41. What specific Jewish artifact did Deronda find in Ezra Cohen’s window that caught his attention?

A. A Menorah
B. Chased silver clasps
C. An ancient scroll
D. A gold necklace

B. Chased silver clasps.
Some fine old clasps caught Deronda’s attention in chased silver displayed in the window.

42. Who was the intense, thin, white-bearded man in the bookshop who seemed to expect Deronda?

A. Ezra Cohen
B. Mordecai
C. Mr. Ram
D. Mr. Lush

B. Mordecai.
The man in threadbare clothing reading the newspaper in the bookshop was Mordecai, Ezra’s brother.

43. What did Mordecai tell Deronda he had been doing for the last five years?

A. Working in the shop
B. Waiting for him (Deronda)
C. Writing poetry
D. Studying the Cabbala

B. Waiting for him (Deronda).
Mordecai told Deronda simply that he had been waiting for him for the last five years.

44. Who did Deronda discover that the man in the bookshop, Mordecai, was?

A. Gwendolen’s friend
B. Mirah’s father
C. Mirah’s brother
D. Sir Hugo’s agent

C. Mirah’s brother.
Deronda’s powerful emotion was confirmation that Mordecai was Mirah’s long-lost brother, Ezra.
45. Why did Deronda’s mother, the Princess, send him away in infancy?

A. She feared his father
B. She wanted him to be rich
C. She wanted freedom to pursue her art
D. She hated her own parents

C. She wanted freedom to pursue her art.
She wanted to live out the life that was in her, freed from the burden of other lives.

46. What was the profession of Deronda’s mother, the Princess Halm-Eberstein?

A. A painter
B. A politician
C. A great singer and actress
D. A German noblewoman

C. A great singer and actress.
She was a renowned lyric actress and singer who had attained fame as the Alcharisi.
47. What did the Princess demand to know, thinking it was the true reason for Deronda’s interest in Judaism?

A. If he were poor
B. If he were in love with a Jewess
C. If he planned to marry Sir Hugo’s daughter
D. If he knew Grandcourt

B. If he was in love with a Jewess.
The Princess believed Deronda was only glad to be a Jew because he was in love with a Jewess.

48. What did the Princess say was the reason she finally broke the secret of his birth?

A. Her desire to see him
B. Her father’s will and her fear of punishment
C. She needed money urgently
D. Deronda’s kindness convinced her

B. Her father’s will and her fear of punishment.
Due to her severe illness and the fear of her dead father’s will, she was forced to confess.

49. What did Gwendolen confess to Deronda that was the true cause of her agony and shame?

A. She broke her promise and hated her husband
B. She was afraid of the dark
C. She wished to confess to her mother
D. She wanted Deronda to save her

A. She broke her promise and hated her husband.
She confessed her hatred and rage and that she had wished Grandcourt dead in the boat.
50. What final resolution did Gwendolen give Deronda regarding her future?

A. She would join a convent
B. She would go to the East
C. She would live to be one of the best women
D. She would forget him immediately

C. She would live to be one of the best women.
She vowed to live to become one of the best women, always remembering Deronda’s encouraging words.

Brief Overview

Denial Deronda is a novel written by George Eliot. The novel explores Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful and proud woman. She met Daniel Deronda while gambling abroad. She lost her money, and soon her family became poor.

Gwendolen wanted to be an actress, but Klesmer said her talent was only average. She married rich, cold Henleigh Grandcourt because of her circumstances. Gwendolen learned that Grandcourt had another family with children. This made her feel guilty and terrified.

Deronda rescued a Jewish singer, Mirah, from drowning. Mirah was very talented. Later, Deronda learned his mother was a Jewess. He was a Jew, too. Deronda decided to embrace his heritage. He dedicated his life to helping the Jewish people.

Grandcourt took Gwendolen yachting. He drowned in the sea. Gwendolen was overwhelmed with guilt. She had wished for his death. She confessed all her trouble to Deronda. Deronda advised her to live a good, dutiful life. Deronda then married Mirah. They planned to travel to the East. Gwendolen resolved to be a better person because of Deronda’s help.

5/5 - (1 vote)

Related Posts

Leave a comment