The Old Curiosity Shop MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature

The Old Curiosity Shop MCQs
Updated on: October 11, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 18 min

The Old Curiosity Shop MCQs

1. What is the narrator’s general preference for the time of day for walking?

A. Early morning
B. Broad noon
C. After dark
D. Mid-day glare

C. After dark

The narrator prefers to walk when it is dark outside. This sets a tone of melancholy and mystery for the beginning of the story.

2. When the narrator first meets Nell, what does he initially guess about the old man she is with?

A. He is a doctor.
B. He is in dotage or imbecility.
C. He is a kind clergyman.
D. He is a rich miser.

B. He is in dotage or imbecility

The narrator initially guesses the old man is feeble or losing his mind. This immediately establishes the grandfather’s fragile state.

3. What is the old man’s name for his grandchild?

A. Kitty
B. Nell
C. Mary
D. Dolly

B. Nell

Nell is the central figure, caring for her grandfather. Her name quickly establishes her tender and innocent character.

4. How long did the old man say he was blinded by his desire to make his fortune before coming to Quilp for money?

A. A few weeks
B. Shortly after sending Fred to sea
C. A long time, having it in his sleep for months
D. Until Nell was born

C. A long time, having it in his sleep for months

The old man was obsessed with making a fortune for Nell. This obsession drove his fatal decision to gamble heavily.

5. What was the “precious scheme” the grandfather used Quilp’s loans and advances for?

A. Investing in the shop
B. The gaming-table
C. Nell’s education
D. Buying a cottage

B. The gaming-table

The grandfather used Quilp’s loans and advances for gambling. This is the tragic cause of their financial ruin and flight.

6. What feeling was Nell’s anxiety and distress largely restrained by, even when her heart was overflowing?

A. Fear of the dark
B. Constant fear of injuring the old man
C. Distrust of Kit
D. Shame of their poverty

B. Constant fear of injuring the old man

Nell’s distress is restrained by fear of injuring her grandfather. Her deep, protective loyalty defines her life.

7. What realization led the grandfather and Nell to flee the Old Curiosity Shop?

A. Quilp’s arrival
B. The money had been lost and they were beggars.
C. Quilp locked the doors at night.
D. The fear that Nell would be taken from him.

D. The fear that Nell would be taken from him

They fled from the fear that Quilp would separate Nell from her grandfather. This desperate act initiates their journey.

8. What items did the grandfather need the child to forgive him for saying when they were first made beggars?

A. Quilp’s threats
B. Words spoken about Nell
C. Thoughts of suicide
D. His gambling losses

B. Words spoken about Nell

The old man begged forgiveness for words spoken about Nell. His momentary lucidity shows his deep love and guilt.

9. Upon fleeing the shop, what essential item had the old man forgotten?

A. His coat
B. A kind of wallet containing his burden
C. Nell’s small shoes
D. The shop key

B. A kind of wallet containing his burden

The grandfather forgot a wallet containing his burden. This symbolizes the failure of his gambling obsession to truly escape him.

10. What physical ailment did Nell suffer from during their journeying that a kind woman helped to remedy?

A. A terrible cough
B. A fever
C. A blistered and sore little foot
D. Exhaustion

C. A blistered and sore little foot

Nell suffered from a blistered and sore little foot. This physical pain highlights the difficulty and suffering of their journey.

11. What book did Nell reference, comparing herself and her grandfather during their flight to “Christian”?

A. The Bible
B. The Beggar’s Petition
C. The Pilgrim’s Progress
D. Robinson Crusoe

C. The Pilgrim’s Progress

Nell compares their flight to Christian’s journey. This suggests their travels are a moral and spiritual pilgrimage of trial.

12. What did Nell confess to the stout lady of the caravan that she and her grandfather truly were?

A. Wandering travellers
B. Poor workers
C. Beggars
D. Musicians

C. Beggars

Nell confessed that they were beggars. This admission reveals their complete loss of status and financial dependence.

13. What is the name of the dwarf who is Quilp’s companion?

A. Fred Trent
B. Dick Swiveller
C. Daniel Quilp
D. Kit

C. Daniel Quilp

Daniel Quilp is the primary villain of the novel. He embodies grotesque sadism, malice, and deformity.

14. What physical characteristic did Mrs. Quilp’s mother, Mrs. Jiniwin, slander, leading to Quilp’s rage?

A. His short stature
B. His legs
C. His ugly face
D. His small hands

B. His legs

Mrs. Jiniwin slandered Quilp’s legs. Quilp’s fury at this slight shows his extreme sensitivity about his deformity.

15. What did Quilp threaten to do to his wife if she ever listened to the “beldames” (tea-drinkers) again?

A. Divorce her
B. Bite her
C. Lock her up
D. Send her away

B. Bite her

Quilp threatened to bite his wife. This is a characteristic example of his cruel, grotesque behavior toward those he controls.

16. During the breakfast scene, what unusual food preparation did Quilp demonstrate?

A. Eating hard eggs, shell and all
B. Drinking cold tea
C. Eating raw bacon
D. Drinking only water

A. Eating hard eggs, shell and all.

Quilp demonstrated eating hard eggs with the shell. This deliberately disgusting act reinforces his monstrous, chaotic nature.

17. What was the typical occupation of the amphibious boy at Quilp’s Wharf when the tide was out?

A. Running errands
B. Throwing stones into the mud
C. Washing copper
D. Repairing ships

B. Throwing stones into the mud.

The boy at Quilp’s Wharf threw stones into the mud. His rebellious and amphibious nature reflects his chaotic environment.

18. What was the boy’s reaction to Quilp threatening to cut off one of his feet if he stood on his head again?

A. He cried.
B. He stood on his head immediately after Quilp shut the door.
C. He ran away.
D. He told Quilp he would not do it again.

B. He stood on his head immediately after Quilp shut the door.

The boy immediately stood on his head after Quilp left. This shows the boy’s defiant spirit against Quilp’s malice.

19. What common sentiment did Mrs. Quilp express that prompted indignation from the other ladies?

A. Quilp was kind to her.
B. Quilp had a way with him that the best looking woman couldn’t refuse.
C. Quilp was secretly rich.
D. Quilp was a wonderful husband.

B. Quilp had a way with him that the best looking woman couldn’t refuse.

Mrs. Quilp claimed Quilp had a way that no woman could refuse. This shows her delusional submission to his control.

20. What did Quilp reward Kit with for “always speaking the truth” after the fight?

A. A shilling
B. Sixpence
C. A new hat
D. A new job

B. Sixpence.

Quilp rewarded Kit with sixpence for speaking the truth. This is a moment of sardonic humor reflecting Quilp’s twisted morality.

21. What did Mrs. Quilp call herself when admitting to Quilp that she had led Nell on to tell her secret?

A. A fool
B. A spy
C. A crocodile (her favorite part)
D. A minx

C. A crocodile (her favorite part).

Mrs. Quilp called herself a crocodile. This reveals her self-awareness of her role as Quilp’s tormented yet complicit victim.

22. What beverage did Quilp drink three small glassfuls of, in its raw state, at the tavern by the river?

A. Wine
B. Gin
C. Brandy
D. Rum

D. Rum.

Quilp drank rum in its raw state. This reinforces his dark, reckless, and destructive character.

23. What did Quilp plan to do with the “ugly dwarf” figure he bought, which he used to beat and mutilate?

A. Sell it to Mrs. Jarley
B. Burn it
C. Give it to Kit
D. Throw it in the river

B. Burn it.

Quilp planned to burn the dwarf figure. This reveals his vicious self-hatred projected onto a doll resembling himself.

24. What item of his own did Quilp pack in his portmanteau when he moved to the counting-house?

A. A looking glass
B. Plate, knife, fork, spoon, teacup
C. Money and valuables
D. His club

B. Plate, knife, fork, spoon, teacup.

Quilp packed his own eating utensils and cup. This shows his personal isolation and morbid preparation for his solitary move.

25. Why did Quilp move his bachelor’s hall to the counting-house?

A. To save rent
B. To have freedom from matrimony and agitate his wife
C. To be closer to the ships
D. To plot with Brass

B. To have freedom from matrimony and agitate his wife.

Quilp moved to the counting-house to torment his wife by leaving her. His motivation is purely malicious and tormenting.

26. How was Quilp pursuing the single gentleman and Kit’s mother on their journey?

A. By horseback
B. By a fast night-coach
C. By following Kit
D. By boat

B. By a fast night-coach.

Quilp pursued his enemies by night-coach. This shows his urgency and determination to defeat any attempt to foil his plans.

27. How did Dick Swiveller write his letters to his aunt to look penitent and effective?

A. He used bad grammar.
B. He would blot them and shake water over them.
C. He included a picture of himself crying.
D. He asked Nell to write for him.

B. He would blot them and shake water over them.

Dick blotted his letters and shook water over them. This manipulative method was meant to persuade his aunt of his feigned suffering.

28. What was Richard Swiveller’s temporary position secured for him by Quilp?

A. Notary’s clerk
B. Brass’s clerk
C. Pawnbroker’s apprentice
D. Waiter

B. Brass’s clerk.

Richard Swiveller took the position of Brass’s clerk. This puts him in a strategic place to observe the villains’ schemes.

29. What did Dick Swiveller describe the small servant as, when talking to himself about her treatment?

A. A small girl
B. A mystery
C. A mermaid
D. A note of interrogation

D. A note of interrogation.

Dick Swiveller described the small servant as a note of interrogation. This reflects her mysterious, neglected, and inquisitive state.

30. What did Mr. Swiveller name the small servant for his games of cribbage?

A. Sophronia
B. Miss Sophy
C. The Marchioness
D. Sally

C. The Marchioness.

Swiveller named the small servant “The Marchioness.” This act of kindness restores her dignity and humanity.

31. What beverage was the small servant drinking that loosened her tongue and made her talkative?

A. Cold water
B. Tea
C. Purl (gin and beer)
D. Rum

C. Purl (gin and beer).

The small servant drank purl. This beverage loosened her tongue, allowing her to reveal the truth about the Brass siblings’ cruelty.

32. What was the location of Mr. Sampson Brass’s office?

A. Tower Hill
B. Duke’s Place
C. Bevis Marks
D. Finchley

C. Bevis Marks.

Sampson Brass’s office was located in Bevis Marks. This legal location is associated with corruption and urban decay.

33. What colour was Miss Sally Brass’s usual dress?

A. Blue
B. Black
C. Red
D. Green

D. Green.

Miss Sally Brass’s green dress contrasts sharply with her severe features. It adds to her eccentric and menacing appearance.

34. What did Miss Brass wear on her upper lip that might be mistaken for a beard?

A. Dirt
B. Hair
C. Reddish demonstrations (eyelashes)
D. Snuff

C. Reddish demonstrations (eyelashes).

Miss Brass’s peculiar facial hair contributes to her harsh, masculine, and unfeminine appearance, reflecting her controlling nature.

35. What was the hidden purpose of Sampson Brass offering Kit’s mother lodging and a weekly allowance?

A. To gain favour with Kit
B. To serve Quilp’s grudge against Kit
C. To give Kit’s mother a nice place to live
D. To spy on the single gentleman

B. To serve Quilp’s grudge against Kit.

Brass offered lodging to serve Quilp’s grudge against Kit. The villainous attorney plotted to destroy Kit.

36. What object was found containing the stolen five-pound bank note, incriminating Kit?

A. Kit’s pocket
B. Kit’s shoe
C. Kit’s hat
D. Kit’s coat pocket

C. Kit’s hat.

The stolen five-pound note was found in Kit’s hat. This planted evidence was used to falsely convict Kit of felony.

37. What two plotters did the Notary state must be brought to justice regarding the scheme against Kit?

A. Quilp and Nell
B. Brass and Sally
C. Quilp and Brass
D. Brass and Kit

C. Quilp and Brass.

The Notary confirmed that Quilp and Brass conspired against Kit. This signals the downfall of the novel’s main villains.

38. What was the property that Trent and Quilp planned to entrap Nell for?

A. Money Quilp had lent the grandfather
B. Her alleged inheritance from the grandfather
C. The Old Curiosity Shop
D. A fortune Trent claimed from his aunt

B. Her alleged inheritance from the grandfather.

Trent and Quilp planned to seize Nell’s alleged inheritance. This reveals their greedy scheme to exploit the grandfather’s wealth.

39. What trade were the two traveling men who took in Nell and her grandfather engaged in?

A. Traveling musicians
B. Punch and Judy showmen
C. Fortune tellers
D. Pedlars

B. Punch and Judy showmen.

The traveling men were Punch and Judy showmen. This introduces the world of itinerant performers and simple kindness.

40. What was the name of the morose showman who carried the theatre on his back?

A. Mr. Short
B. Mr. Harris
C. Thomas Codlin
D. Mr. Vuffin

C. Thomas Codlin.

Thomas Codlin was the morose showman. His character contrasts sharply with the cheerfulness of his partner, Short.

41. What was the name of Mrs. Jarley’s exhibition?

A. The Stupendous Collection
B. The Minervian Marvels
C. Jarley’s Wax-Work
D. The Nobility’s Delight

C. Jarley’s Wax-Work.

Mrs. Jarley’s exhibition was named “Jarley’s Wax-Work.” Nell works here for a time during their flight.

42. Nell’s role in the exhibition, other than handing out bills, was to do what every half-hour?

A. Clean the glass cases
B. Describe the figures to the audience
C. Take the checks
D. Sing a song

B. Describe the figures to the audience.

Nell was hired to describe the figures to the audience. This gave her a brief period of secure employment and refuge.

43. What was Miss Monflathers’s primary criticism of Nell’s existence?

A. She was too thin.
B. She should be doing needlework.
C. She was a very wicked little child to be a wax-work child.
D. She was too clever.

C. She was a very wicked little child to be a wax-work child.

Miss Monflathers criticized Nell for her job. This exposes her harsh social judgment and class prejudice against performers.

44. What did the stout man (Jowl) reveal as the time frame since they had first put the match/gambling idea into the old man’s head?

A. Three days
B. Three weeks
C. Five months
D. One night

B. Three weeks.

Jowl revealed the gambling idea was planted three weeks ago. This highlights the planned and manipulative nature of the grandfather’s exploitation.

45. What did the narrator use to describe the feeling of solitude Nell and her grandfather felt in the crowded city?

A. A lost sheep
B. A shipwrecked mariner thirsting for water
C. A flower without sun
D. A ghost

B. A shipwrecked mariner thirsting for water.

The simile illustrates their profound sense of solitude. They feel isolated and desperate even within the crowded city’s commerce.

46. In the manufacturing town, where did the kind labourer offer Nell and her grandfather refuge?

A. His cottage
B. By his furnace fire
C. A church
D. An inn

B. By his furnace fire.

The labourer offered them refuge by his fire. This symbolizes the warmth and simple kindness found among the working class.

47. What sight, which caused Nell to shriek and faint, made her recognize the man looking at his book in the busy town?

A. Quilp
B. The single gentleman
C. The poor schoolmaster
D. Her brother Fred

C. The poor schoolmaster.

The sight of the schoolmaster caused Nell to shriek and faint. She fears being recognized and returned to London.

48. What reason did the schoolmaster give for loving Nell, which was transferred to her?

A. His love for his dead student
B. Her great intelligence
C. Her beauty
D. Her innocence

A. His love for his dead student.

The schoolmaster’s love for his dead student transferred to Nell. This shows her innocent ability to inspire affection in others.

49. What did the old sexton say was underneath the belfry of the church?

A. A secret tomb
B. A deep, dark, echoing well
C. A bell forge
D. A statue of Queen Bess

B. A deep, dark, echoing well.

The sexton described this feature. This contributes to the atmosphere of ancient mystery and foreboding surrounding Nell’s final refuge.

50. What made the old man (grandfather) suddenly awake to a continuous, anxious solicitude for Nell?

A. Quilp’s appearance.
B. Nell’s fear of the graves of young people.
C. The single gentleman’s letter.
D. The sexton’s story.

B. Nell’s fear of the graves of young people.

Nell’s fear of the graves of young people caused the grandfather to realize her fragility. This marks his final emotional awakening and devotion.

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