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Author:
Nasir Iqbal
|
Assistant Professor of English Literature
Updated on: October 11, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 15 min
The Mystery of Edwin Drood MCQs
1. Which novel is the last and unfinished work by Charles Dickens, published in 1870, the year of his death?
A. Bleak House
B. Hard Times
C. The Mystery of Edwin Drood
D. Our Mutual Friend
C. The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
This is Charles Dickens’s final and unfinished work. Its central mystery remains unsolved due to his death.
2. What intervenes between the eye and the Cathedral tower?
A. A spike of rusty iron
B. A flock of birds
C. A ship mast
D. A church spire
A. A spike of rusty iron.
A spike of rusty iron intervenes the Cathedral tower. This is the opium den setting, contrasting Eastern mystery with English church life.
3. What did the Sultan go by to his palace in long procession?
A. White elephants
B. Dancing-girls
C. Ten thousand scimitars
D. Cymbals
A. White elephants.
The spike was allegedly set for impaling Turkish robbers. This detail introduces the theme of Eastern violence and menace.
4. What did the woman describe the current opium market price as?
A. Extremely low
B. Dreffle high
C. Moderate
D. Variable
B. Dreffle high.
The woman says opium is “dreffle high.” This highlights the poverty and desperation of the London slum dwellers.
5. What animal, described as infinite in number, followed the dancing-girls?
A. Horses
B. White elephants
C. Camels
D. Tigers
B. White elephants.
The woman’s spasmodic movements are compared to fitful lightning. This suggests a dangerous, sudden violence lurking beneath the calm exterior.
6. What did the man sit in, holding tight, to get the better of the “unclean spirit of imitation”?
A. A wooden chair
B. A lean arm-chair
C. His bed
D. The floor
B. A lean arm-chair.
Jasper holds the lean arm-chair to better the spirit of imitation. This implies his attempts to repress his opium-induced thoughts.
7. Mr. Tope discreetly noted that Mr. Jasper’s breathing was so remarkably what?
A. Loud
B. Short
C. Fast
D. Deep
B. Short.
Mr. Tope noted that Jasper’s breathing was remarkably short. This is an early sign of Jasper’s concealed physical distress and addiction.
8. What two qualities crept over Mr. Jasper during his episode?
A. Anger and resentment
B. Dimness and giddiness
C. Strength and power
D. Sleep and confusion
B. Dimness and giddiness.
Dimness and giddiness crept over Jasper. This is the immediate effect of the opium wearing off, showing his double life.
9. What word did Mr. Tope shoot out as defying improvement?
A. Sick
B. DAZED
C. Confused
D. Fit
B. DAZED.
Mr. Tope says the word “DAZED” defies improvement. This light observation shows the contrast between Tope and Jasper’s suffering.
10. Mr. Crisparkle was lately “Coach” upon what type of high roads?
A. Legal
B. Pagan
C. Classical
D. Roman
B. Pagan.
Mr. Crisparkle was formerly “Coach” upon pagan high roads. This refers to his time as a university tutor of Classics.
11. To what position was Mr. Crisparkle promoted by a grateful patron?
A. Dean
B. Canon
C. Minor Canon
D. Verger
C. Minor Canon.
Mr. Crisparkle was promoted to Minor Canon. This shows his kind, moderate success within the church hierarchy.
12. What physical item did Mr. Jasper tell Edwin to pull off?
A. His greatcoat
B. His boots
C. His gloves
D. His scarf
B. His boots.
Mr. Jasper tells Edwin to pull off his boots. This highlights Jasper’s strange, hungry focus on Edwin.
13. What adjective, paired with “exacting,” described Mr. Jasper’s affection?
A. Devoted
B. Hungry
C. Watchful
D. Vague
B. Hungry.
Jasper’s affection is described as hungry and exacting. This suggests an unnatural, consuming desire bordering on obsession.
14. What two words were prohibited between Edwin and Jasper?
A. Brother and friend
B. Uncle and Nephew
C. Master and pupil
D. Eddy and Jack
B. Uncle and Nephew.
The words “Uncle and Nephew” were prohibited. This was to foster a closer, fraternal relationship, but masks Jasper’s resentment.
15. What two items were placed on the table after the dinner cloth was drawn?
A. Wine and cheese
B. Walnuts and sherry
C. Port and biscuits
D. Tea and coffee
B. Walnuts and sherry.
Walnuts and sherry were placed on the table. These items signify the start of a serious, intimate, and often tense conversation.
16. Edwin noted that Rosa could learn anything if she possessed what quality?
A. Will
B. Patience
C. Intelligence
D. Humility
A. Will.
Edwin notes Rosa could learn anything if she possessed will. This suggests Rosa’s spirit is willful but lacks directed purpose.
17. What phrase did Edwin use to describe the marriage arrangement?
A. Anticipation
B. Good fortune
C. Curse
D. Necessity
A. Anticipation.
Edwin describes the marriage arrangement as anticipation. This reveals his shallow and childish outlook on the fixed engagement.
18. What did Edwin complain of regarding the marriage arrangement?
A. It was too sudden
B. Being cut off from choice
C. The woman was ugly
D. The fathers’ interference
B. Being cut off from choice.
Edwin complains of being cut off from choice. This reveals his resentment of the fixed engagement arranged by their fathers.
19. What did Mr. Jasper say was grinding him away by the grain?
A. The cramped monotony of his existence
B. His guilt
C. His love for Rosa
D. The terrible weather
A. The cramped monotony of his existence.
Jasper says the cramped monotony of his existence is grinding him away. This justifies his secret opium addiction and crime.
20. What activity did Jasper say wretched monks would take up for relief?
A. Carving demons out of the stalls
B. Praying louder
C. Drinking wine
D. Sleeping
A. Carving demons out of the stalls.
Jasper notes monks carved demons out of stalls for relief. This mirrors his own hidden, demonic internal struggle.
21. What did Jasper say he might have to take to carving out of his heart?
A. Angels
B. Demons
C. Names
D. Prayers
B. Demons.
Jasper hints he may have to carve out demons from his heart. This reveals the intensity of his inner torment and hidden evil.
22. What sweet item did Rosa have in her mouth when greeting Edwin?
A. A lemon drop
B. An acidulated drop
C. A peppermint
D. A chocolate
B. An acidulated drop.
Rosa had an acidulated drop in her mouth. This detail highlights her slightly sharp, independent, and contradictory personality.
23. Rosa wanted to go to the shop that sold what kind of sweetmeat?
A. Arabian
B. Turkish
C. Greek
D. Indian
B. Turkish.
Rosa wanted Turkish sweetmeat. This exotic flavor contrasts with the dull, conservative English life of Cloisterham.
24. Rosa noted her imaginary tall rival must be what, due to her height?
A. Beautiful
B. Gawky
C. Clever
D. Elegant
B. Gawky.
Rosa describes her imaginary rival as gawky due to her height. This shows Rosa’s petty jealousy and playful nature.
25. What did the organ and choir sound out sublimely as Edwin and Rosa spoke?
A. A discordance
B. A solemn swell
C. A trumpet fanfare
D. A battle hymn
B. A solemn swell.
The solemn swell of the organ contrasts sharply with Edwin and Rosa’s trivial, conflicted conversation. This highlights the setting’s gravity.
26. What quality did Mr. Sapsea possess, besides being dull?
A. Portentous
B. Wealthy
C. Charitable
D. Wise
A. Portentous.
Mr. Sapsea is described as portentous besides being dull. His self-important dullness is a source of comedy and local power.
27. Mrs. Sapsea’s knowledge of the world never brought her acquainted with a Spirit more capable of doing what to him?
A. Loving him
B. Looking up to him
C. Following him
D. Guiding him
B. Looking up to him.
Mrs. Sapsea’s spirit was capable of looking up to Mr. Sapsea. This highlights Sapsea’s profound vanity and self-delusion.
28. What final command was written on Mrs. Sapsea’s monument inscription?
A. Stop and pray
B. Live humbly
C. With a blush retire
D. Ask thy question
C. With a blush retire.
The final command on the monument is a request to retire. This highlights Sapsea’s egotism, even regarding his dead wife’s memory.
29. What was Durdles’s primary occupation?
A. Stonemason
B. Architect
C. Auctioneer
D. Verger
A. Stonemason.
Durdles is the stonemason. His job connects him directly to the tombs, death, and the Cathedral’s ancient secrets.
30. With which part of the Cathedral was Durdles better acquainted than any living authority?
A. The great tower
B. The chancel
C. The crypt
D. The choir loft
C. The crypt.
Durdles was most acquainted with the crypt. This secret knowledge makes him crucial to the mystery of the grave.
31. Durdles often spoke of himself in what person?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fifth
C. Third.
Durdles often spoke of himself in the third person. This eccentric habit highlights his isolation and oddity.
32. Durdles claimed to have a touch of what specific affliction?
A. Rheumatism
B. The fever
C. The Tombatism
D. Gout
C. The Tombatism.
Durdles claimed to have “The Tombatism.” This ailment is characteristic of his life spent among the dead and cold stones.
33. What did Mr. Jasper assent was a bitter cold place?
A. The crypt
B. The chancel
C. The Gate House
D. The Nuns’ House
B. The chancel.
Jasper assents that the chancel is cold. This is a subtle attempt to connect with Durdles and gain his confidence.
34. What did Durdles request from Mr. Sapsea to begin the monument inscription?
A. The money
B. The key
C. The drawing
D. More wine
B. The key.
Durdles requested the key from Mr. Sapsea. This highlights the stonemason’s essential role in the Cathedral’s monuments.
35. Mr. Crisparkle was doing what to assist his circulation in the morning?
A. Running by the river
B. Boxing at a looking-glass
C. Swimming in the weir
D. Lifting weights
B. Boxing at a looking-glass.
Mr. Crisparkle assisted his circulation by boxing at a looking-glass. This shows his energetic, practical nature.
36. What game did the Reverend Septimus wind up by getting his mother’s cap into?
A. A knot
B. A twist
C. Chancery
D. A drawer
C. Chancery.
Crisparkle wound up by getting his mother’s cap into Chancery. This symbolizes the chaotic and entangling nature of the law.
37. What did Mr. Crisparkle rub his ear vexedly over regarding Philanthropists?
A. Generous
B. Miscreant
C. Charity
D. Humble
B. Miscreant.
Mr. Crisparkle rubbed his ear over the word miscreant. This reflects his vexation at Mr. Honeythunder’s aggressive charity.
38. What violent action were Philanthropists “given to seizing their fellow-creatures by”?
A. The arm
B. The scruff of the neck
C. The hand
D. The throat
B. The scruff of the neck.
Philanthropists were given to seizing fellows by the scruff of the neck. This suggests the aggressive, domineering nature of their “charity.”
39. What did the passenger (Honeythunder) claim the driver was legally bound to provide for?
A. His master’s wealth
B. His fellow-man’s comfort
C. His own health
D. The horse’s safety
B. His fellow-man’s comfort.
The passenger demanded the driver provide for his fellow-man’s comfort. This illustrates Honeythunder’s loud, self-serving philanthropy.
40. What was the driver’s response to the offer of brotherhood?
A. Thankee, my mother was contented with myself
B. I already have brothers
C. I accept your offer
D. I refuse your card
A. Thankee, my mother was contented with myself.
The driver responded with this independent phrase. This highlights the clash between honest laborers and overbearing philanthropists.
41. Neville and Helena were described as being of almost what type?
A. Nordic
B. Gípsy
C. Turkish
D. English
B. Gípsy.
Neville and Helena were described as being of almost gípsy type. This highlights their foreign origins and passionate temperaments.
42. Neville and Helena Landless originated from where?
A. London
B. India
C. Ceylon
D. Africa
C. Ceylon.
Neville and Helena originated from Ceylon. Their exotic origin contributes to the general suspicion surrounding their behavior.
43. What violent emotion had Neville had to suppress since his earliest remembrance?
A. Deadly and bitter hatred
B. Fear of men
C. Love for Helena
D. Desire for wealth
A. Deadly and bitter hatred.
Neville suppressed deadly and bitter hatred. This emotion explains his intense, violent temper and passionate nature.
44. What type of man did Mr. Grewgious remark he was, as he was unfit for social spheres?
A. Angular man
B. Unnatural man
C. Chip
D. Bachelor
A. Angular man.
Mr. Grewgious remarks that he is an angular man. This describes his eccentric, isolated personality.
45. What did Neville suddenly ask if Edwin Drood read with Mr. Crisparkle?
A. History
B. Latin
C. Nothing
D. Engineering
C. Nothing.
Neville asked if Edwin read nothing. This was a subtle insult, highlighting Edwin’s lack of intellectual commitment.
46. What caused the rush and clattering of glasses in Jasper’s room?
A. Edwin’s anger
B. Neville throwing the goblet down
C. Jasper rushing in
D. The wind
B. Neville throwing the goblet down.
Neville threw the goblet down, causing the clatter. This incident confirms the immediate, volatile hostility between him and Edwin.
47. What did the cook say Neville ‘up’d’ with and threw at Edwin?
A. The chair
B. The table
C. Bottle, knife, fork, and decanter
D. His fist
C. Bottle, knife, fork, and decanter.
The cook claimed Neville threw these items. This dramatic exaggeration fuels the rumors of Neville’s violent temper.
48. What did Mr. Grewgious believe he was born as, instead of a bud?
A. A chip
B. A blockhead
C. A stone
D. A weed
A. A chip.
Mr. Grewgious believed he was born a chip, not a bud. This suggests his nature is hard, dry, and lacking vitality.
49. What was the name of the clerk who had written a tragedy?
A. Edwin Drood
B. Mr. Crisparkle
C. Bazzard
D. Mr. Grewgious
C. Bazzard.
Bazzard is the clerk who wrote a tragedy. This unused manuscript symbolizes his unfulfilled hopes and ambition.
50. Who did Rosa say had made love to her, causing her to flee?
A. Edwin Drood
B. Mr. Grewgious
C. Her uncle
D. His uncle (Mr. Jasper)
D. His uncle (Mr. Jasper).
Rosa fled because his uncle, Mr. Jasper, had made love to her. This revelation exposes Jasper’s manipulative, abusive nature.
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