The Caretaker MCQs
1. Where was The Caretaker first presented?
A. Dublin
B. New York
C. Paris
D. London
2. On what date was The Caretaker first presented in London?
A. 30 May 1960
B. 15 March 1961
C. 10 January 1959
D. 27 April 1960
3. The action of the play takes place in a house in which part of London?
A. North London
B. West London
C. South London
D. East London
4. What is the temporal setting for Act I?
A. A day in summer
B. An evening in autumn
C. A morning in spring
D. A night in winter
5. What covers the bottom half of the window in the room?
A. A blind
B. A blanket
C. A curtain
D. A sack
6. Which item is hanging from the ceiling in the room?
A. A light fitting
B. A bucket
C. A plant pot
D. A birdcage
7. What object is found on the gas stove in the room?
A. A statue of Buddha
B. A kettle
C. A saucepan
D. A stack of plates
8. Which character is alone in the room at the beginning of Act One?
A. Aston
B. Mick
C. Davies
D. No one
9. What is Mick wearing at the beginning of Act One?
A. A leather jacket
B. A pinstripe suit
C. A tweed overcoat
D. A waistcoat
10. How does Mick exit the room after hearing muffled voices?
A. He shouts to someone outside.
B. He runs out loudly.
C. He moves silently and closes the door quietly.
D. He gestures for others to enter.
11. Who enters the room after Mick exits, and in what order?
A. Mick, then Aston
B. Aston, then Davies
C. Davies, then Aston
D. Davies, then Mick
12. How is Davies described as entering the room?
A. Running quickly
B. Quietly and gracefully
C. Shambling, breathing heavily
D. Swaggering confidently
13. What does Aston first offer Davies upon their entry?
A. A chair
B. Food
C. Money
D. A cigarette
14. What is Davies’s complaint about finding a seat at “that place”?
A. He was too tired to sit.
B. All them aliens had it.
C. The seats were all broken.
D. The manager wouldn’t let him sit.
15. What does Aston do while Davies complains about not finding a seat?
A. He argues with Davies.
B. He sits on the bed and rolls a cigarette.
C. He offers Davies a drink.
D. He stands and listens intently.
16. What does Davies punch downward with after exclaiming he could have “got done in”?
A. A hammer
B. His open palm
C. A shoe
D. His closed fist
17. What does Davies say he prefers for his pipe instead of a cigarette?
A. Some of Aston’s tobacco
B. Cigars
C. Cigarette papers
D. Nothing, he doesn’t smoke.
18. Where does Davies claim his previous tobacco tin was “knocked off”?
A. On the Great West Road
B. At the monastery
C. In London
D. In Luton
19. Why did Davies leave his wife, according to him?
A. She spent all his money.
B. He found her unwashed underclothing in the vegetable pan.
C. She was unfaithful.
D. She constantly nagged him.
20. What object does Davies come face to face with on the gas stove?
A. An old lamp
B. A model ship
C. A statue of Buddha
D. A ceramic cat
21. What was Davies’s job where he “got the bullet”?
A. Cleaning the floor, clearing tables, washing-up
B. Taking out buckets
C. Cooking meals
D. Cleaning windows
22. Who gave Davies “the bullet,” according to him?
A. The Scotchman
B. Aston
C. One of the Greeks
D. The guvnor
23. Who does Davies claim saved him from cracking his head on the pavement?
A. A passing stranger
B. Mick
C. The police
D. Aston
24. What does Davies claim he left behind at “that place”?
A. His money
B. A pair of shoes
C. His pipe
D. All his belongings in a bag
25. What does Aston offer to do regarding Davies’s lost belongings?
A. “Pop down sometime and pick them up for you.”
B. Buy him new ones
C. Call the police
D. Write a letter of complaint
26. When Davies asks if Aston sleeps in the bed, what is Aston’s simple reply?
A. “No, I prefer the floor.”
B. “Yes.”
C. “Sometimes.”
D. “Only when Mick isn’t here.”
27. How does Davies describe the other rooms along the landing?
A. “They’re out of commission.”
B. They are rented out.
C. They are Mick’s rooms.
D. They are well-furnished.
28. What does Davies observe about the house next door?
A. It’s empty.
B. It has new paint.
C. Curtains pulled down.
D. It’s derelict.
29. What does Aston say about the people living next door?
A. They are from Ireland.
B. “Family of Indians live there.”
C. He doesn’t know them.
D. They are his relatives.
30. Where does Davies claim “them bastards at the monastery” let him down?
A. Sidcup
B. Luton
C. London
D. Watford
31. What specific item was Davies hoping to get from the monastery?
A. Shoes
B. Food
C. Clothing
D. Money
32. What is Davies’s main complaint about the shoes Aston offers him?
A. They are too pointed and would cripple him.
B. They are too heavy.
C. They are dirty.
D. They are the wrong colour.
33. What is Davies waiting for before he can get down to Sidcup?
A. News from his friend
B. A lift from Aston
C. More money
D. The weather to break
34. What does Aston say he might build out the back?
A. A greenhouse
B. A shed
C. A garage
D. A new kitchen
35. What is Davies’s assessment of the garden outside?
A. “Neatly trimmed.”
B. “Looks a bit thick. Overgrown.”
C. “Very small.”
D. “Full of flowers.”
36. What is Davies’s concern about the lavatory?
A. It’s too cold.
B. He doesn’t want to share it with “them Blacks.”
C. It’s too far away.
D. It’s broken.
37. What is Aston’s anecdote about a pint of Guinness?
A. He spilled it.
B. He couldn’t afford it.
C. He couldn’t drink it from a thick mug.
D. It was flat.
38. What essential items does Davies claim are in Sidcup?
A. His savings
B. His family
C. His papers, which prove who he is
D. A new job offer
39. What name has Davies been going under?
A. Bernard Jenkins
B. Robert Smith
C. Arthur Jones
D. Michael Davies
40. What is Davies’s real name?
A. Arthur Smith
B. Bernard Jenkins
C. John Brown
D. Mac Davies
41. How long does Davies claim his papers have been in Sidcup?
A. “About near on fifteen year ago.”
B. A few months
C. A year
D. A few weeks
42. When Davies says he doesn’t dream, what does Aston say he heard him doing?
A. Talking in his sleep
B. “Making noises,” “groans,” “jabbering”
C. Singing
D. Laughing
43. Who does Davies blame for the noises Aston heard during the night?
A. Aston himself
B. The wind
C. Ghosts
D. “Them Blacks. Next door.”
44. What does Aston give Davies before he leaves the room?
A. A couple of keys
B. A cigarette
C. More money
D. A map
45. What does Aston say he is going to do when he leaves?
A. Go to work
B. Take a stroll to a shop for a jigsaw
C. Visit friends
D. Go to the café
46. What does Aston reveal about a woman in a café?
A. She offered him a job.
B. She asked to look at his body.
C. She was a long-lost friend.
D. She talked about her children.
47. What is Davies’s concern about the gas stove near his bed?
A. It’s too cold.
B. He might nudge a gas tap with his elbow.
C. It might fall on him.
D. It makes too much noise.
48. Who enters the room silently while Davies is rummaging?
A. Aston
B. A neighbour
C. Mick
D. No one
49. How does Mick initially confront Davies?
A. He seizes his arm and forces it up his back.
B. He politely asks what he’s doing.
C. He shouts at him.
D. He calmly observes him.
50. What is Mick’s first line of dialogue to Davies?
A. “What’s the game?”
B. “Who are you?”
C. “What are you doing here?”
D. “Get out!”
51. How much time passes between Act One and Act Two?
A. A few seconds later
B. A week
C. A day
D. A month
52. What is the first sound heard in Act Two?
A. A drip sounding in the bucket
B. A bird singing
C. A dog barking
D. A distant siren
53. What name does Davies initially give Mick when asked?
A. Sidcup
B. Jenkins
C. Bernard
D. Mac Davies
54. What unusual habit did Mick’s uncle’s brother have?
A. Demonstrating long-jump run-ups
B. Collecting rare coins
C. Cooking exótic meals
D. Speaking many languages
55. According to Mick, who “married a Chinaman and went to Jamaica”?
A. Davies
B. Mick himself
C. Mick’s uncle’s brother (Sid)
D. Aston
56. What does Mick claim about the room Davies is in?
A. It belongs to Aston.
B. It’s unfurnished.
C. “This is my room.”
D. It’s a temporary lodging.
57. What does Mick call Davies after he denies knowing him?
A. “A good man.”
B. “Fibber.”
C. “A quiet fellow.”
D. “Honest.”
58. Who does Mick claim the other bed belongs to?
A. Aston’s friend
B. “My mother’s bed.”
C. Mick’s tenant
D. A stranger
59. What insult does Mick use to describe Davies’s smell?
A. “You stink.”
B. “You smell like a dog.”
C. “You smell of smoke.”
D. “You smell like old rags.”
60. What does Mick offer Davies as an alternative to leaving?
A. Another job.
B. A loan.
C. To buy the upper storey.
D. Free food.
61. What is the source of the leak, according to Aston?
A. “From the roof.”
B. A burst pipe
C. The window
D. The upstairs bathroom
62. What does Aston plan to do about the leak?
A. Call a roofer
B. “Tar it over.”
C. Install a new ceiling
D. Put another bucket.
63. What does Aston tell Davies he got for him?
A. A new pair of shoes
B. His bag
C. A meal
D. A newspaper
64. What happens when Mick snatches Davies’s bag?
A. A struggle ensues where the bag is passed between the three men.
B. Davies immediately gives up.
C. Aston tells Mick to give it back.
D. Mick throws it out the window.
65. What is Aston’s relationship to Mick?
A. Cousin
B. Friend
C. Brother
D. Neighbour
66. What is Mick’s profession?
A. A teacher
B. A lawyer
C. He’s “in the building trade.”
D. A caretaker
67. What does Aston say he can do with his hands?
A. Play music
B. Draw
C. “Work with my hands… a bit of woodwork.”
D. Write poetry
68. What does Davies say about the bag Aston retrieved for him?
A. He’s very grateful.
B. “This ain’t my bag.”
C. He loves the clothes in it.
D. It’s empty.
69. What does Aston offer Davies a job as?
A. A cleaner
B. A gardener
C. Caretaker
D. A builder’s assistant
70. What specific duties does Aston mention for the caretaker job?
A. Cooking and cleaning
B. “Polish the bells.”
C. Fixing the roof
D. Painting the rooms
71. Why is Davies reluctant to answer a bell labelled “Caretaker”?
A. He doesn’t like talking to strangers.
B. He’s afraid of being robbed.
C. He fears people coming “after his card” and finding out his assumed name.
D. He doesn’t want to work too hard.
72. What item suddenly starts humming in the dark?
A. A vacuum cleaner
B. A radio
C. A washing machine
D. An Electrolux
73. Who is the figure operating the Electrolux?
A. Aston
B. One of the neighbours
C. Mick
D. A repairman
74. What does Mick offer Davies as a gesture of goodwill?
A. Money
B. A cigarette
C. A sandwich
D. A piece of fruit
75. What does Mick claim is his brother’s main “trouble”?
A. He talks too much.
B. “He doesn’t like work.”
C. He is too proud.
D. He is too aggressive.
76. What does Mick ask Davies’s advice about concerning Aston?
A. How to make him more friendly.
B. How to get him “going in the world.”
C. How to encourage him to clean.
D. How to get him to stop making noises.
77. When Mick makes his second caretaker proposition, what does he say he could rely on Davies for?
A. Cooking for him
B. “Keeping an eye on things.”
C. Decorating the entire house
D. Keeping Aston company
78. What does Mick ask Davies for to satisfy his solicitor?
A. His real name
B. His medical history
C. References
D. A deposit
79. What does Davies say he has “a bad need for”?
A. A new coat
B. More money
C. “A good pair of shoes.”
D. A clock
80. How much time has passed between Act Two and Act Three?
A. A fortnight later
B. A week
C. A few days
D. A month
81. What is Mick doing at the beginning of Act Three?
A. Lying on the floor, looking at the ceiling.
B. Sitting in the chair.
C. Standing by the window.
D. Fixing the toaster.
82. What does Davies notice about the leak in Act Three?
A. It’s worse than before.
B. Aston has tarred it over.
C. Aston has moved the bucket.
D. The bucket is still full.
83. What does Davies complain Aston doesn’t give him?
A. His bed
B. “No knife to cut my bread.”
C. Money
D. New clothes
84. What does Davies complain about regarding “them Blacks” from next door?
A. They are noisy.
B. They use the lavatory and leave it dirty.
C. They stare at him.
D. They steal his food.
85. What does Davies suggest he and Mick could do together?
A. Go to Sidcup.
B. “Get this place going.”
C. Leave the house.
D. Confront Aston.
86. What does Mick say the house would be if his plans were realised?
A. A comfortable home.
B. A profitable investment.
C. “It wouldn’t be a flat it’d be a palace.”
D. A modern residence.
87. What is Mick’s opinion of Aston’s belongings in the room?
A. They are valuable antiques.
B. “It’s just a lot of old iron.”
C. They are sentimental treasures.
D. They are useful tools.
88. What essential item does Davies say he needs to tell the time?
A. A watch
B. “A clock!”
C. A calendar
D. A radio
89. What is Davies’s complaint about Aston in the mornings?
A. He takes too long to get ready.
B. He stands looking at him “smiling.”
C. He leaves without speaking.
D. He makes too much noise.
90. What is missing from the shoes Aston brings back for Davies?
A. The soles
B. The heels
C. Laces
D. They are the wrong size.
91. Why does Aston wake Davies up in the middle of the night?
A. He wants to talk.
B. “You’re making noises.”
C. He wants to offer him food.
D. He wants to tell him to leave.
92. What shocking accusation does Davies make against Aston?
A. Aston stole his money.
B. “They can put the pincers on your head again.”
C. Aston is lazy.
D. Aston has been lying to him.
93. What does Davies pull out to threaten Aston?
A. A piece of wood
B. His knife.
C. A blow-lamp
D. A heavy book
94. What does Aston tell Davies it’s time for him to do?
A. Get a proper job.
B. “Find somewhere else.”
C. Clean the room.
D. Apologise to Mick.
95. What reason does Davies give for staying in the house?
A. He has nowhere else to go.
B. “I been offered a job here as caretaker!”
C. He likes the room.
D. He feels sorry for Aston.
96. What is Aston’s final reason for telling Davies to go?
A. Davies is too aggressive.
B. “You make too much noise… You stink.”
C. Davies keeps insulting him.
D. He needs the room for his brother.
97. In his final plea, what is the last thing Davies mentions he could do if Aston lets him stay?
A. Clean the entire house.
B. “Get my papers.”
C. Help Aston build the shed.
D. Stop making noises.
98. What does Mick do to the Buddha statue at the end of the play?
A. He polishes it.
B. He sells it.
C. He smashes it on the gas stove.
D. He gives it to Davies.
99. What does Mick say about his grand plans for the house in his final speech?
A. He is starting work tomorrow.
B. “I’m not worried about a few bob… I could get a slum clearance grant.”
C. He has decided to sell the house.
D. He wants Aston to manage the project.
100. What is the final image of the play?
A. Mick and Aston reconcile.
B. Davies leaves the house.
C. A long silence, with Davies standing, and the curtain falling.
D. Aston begins to build his shed.
101. What does Davies say he could do with the room to make it more homely?
A. Paint the walls.
B. “I could put a few things up… A few papers.”
C. Buy new furniture.
D. Clean the windows.
102. What does Mick sarcastically call Davies when questioning his identity?
A. A gentleman of leisure
B. A world-travelled man
C. An old tramp
D. A connoisseur
103. Aston’s monologue reveals he underwent what procedure against his will?
A. Brain surgery
B. A leg amputation
C. Electro-shock treatment
D. A dental operation
104. Who signed the papers to have Aston committed?
A. His father
B. His mother
C. His brother Mick
D. A doctor
105. What was the result of Aston’s treatment in the hospital?
A. He was completely cured.
B. His thoughts became clearer.
C. “My thoughts… had become very slow… I couldn’t sleep.”
D. He became more sociable.
106. What does Mick threaten to take Davies to?
A. The police station
B. A homeless shelter
C. “The first police station I can find.”
D. Sidcup
107. Davies claims he has had “pissed on” from all sides. What is his conclusion?
A. “I’m going to leave.”
B. “I’m going to get my own back.”
C. “I’ve had enough.”
D. “I’m not a dog.”
108. What is Mick’s final offer to Davies?
A. To stay as a permanent guest.
B. “I’m going to be frank with you… you’re a bloody menace.”
C. To pay him to leave.
D. To share the room with Aston.
109. What object does Mick finally give back to Davies before his final speech?
A. His bag
B. His pipe
C. A few shillings
D. The electrolux plug
110. What does Mick tell Davies about the rent?
A. It is forgiven.
B. “You’ve been living here for a fortnight. You ain’t paid me no rent.”
C. He can pay it later.
D. Aston will cover it.
111. What is the last thing Davies offers to do for Aston?
A. Help with the shed.
B. Get his papers.
C. Clean the room.
D. Polish the bells.
112. What does Mick finally say to Davies before leaving him to Aston?
A. “You’re fired.”
B. “Goodbye.”
C. “I think it’s about time you stood on your own two feet.”
D. “Good luck.”
113. What is the ultimate fate of Davies at the end of the play?
A. He leaves with Mick.
B. He is given another chance by Aston.
C. He is left in silence, with nowhere to go.
D. He decides to go to Sidcup.
114. The play explores the theme of:
A. Romantic love
B. Political revolution
C. Power, identity, and communication
D. Historical events
115. What does the bucket hanging from the ceiling symbolize?
A. The characters’ thirst for something more.
B. The constant, unresolved problems and decay.
C. A reminder of past floods.
D. A simple household item.
116. What is the significance of Davies’s papers in Sidcup?
A. They contain a large sum of money.
B. They represent his hope for a stable identity and place in society.
C. They are a legal document for the house.
D. They are a collection of old letters.
117. How does Mick use language as a weapon?
A. He uses simple, clear language.
B. He speaks in long, confusing monologues to intimidate and dominate.
C. He only speaks when necessary.
D. He uses physical threats instead of words.
118. What does Aston’s endless tinkering with the toaster plug represent?
A. His skill as a handyman.
B. His attempt to connect and communicate, which is ultimately ineffective.
C. His desire for a hot meal.
D. His boredom.
119. The play’s dialogue is characterized by:
A. Long, poetic speeches.
B. Pauses, repetitions, and non-sequiturs.
C. Witty and fast-paced exchanges.
D. Formal and polite conversation.
120. What is the overall tone of the play?
A. Lighthearted and comedic.
B. A blend of comedy, menace, and pathos.
C. Tragic and somber.
D. Romantic and hopeful.
121. What does the name “Davies” suggest about his character?
A. It suggests a noble lineage.
B. It is a very common name, reflecting his lack of a distinct identity.
C. It is a foreign name, highlighting his alien status.
D. It has no particular significance.
122. Mick’s detailed descriptions of interior decorating serve to:
A. Show his artistic talent.
B. Confuse and intimidate Davies.
C. Reveal his plans for the house.
D. Both B and C.
123. The offer of the caretaker job represents what for Davies?
A. A chance for a stable life and identity.
B. A burden he doesn’t want.
C. A way to get money quickly.
D. A temporary solution to his problems.
124. Why is Davies ultimately rejected by both brothers?
A. He is too old for the job.
B. He fails to form a genuine connection and proves untrustworthy.
C. They find someone better for the job.
D. He asks for too much money.
125. The play’s title, “The Caretaker,” can refer to:
A. Only Davies.
B. Davies, Aston, and Mick, as they all try to “take care” of something.
C. Only Mick, as the owner.
D. Only Aston, as the resident.
126. What does Davies’s constant complaining reveal about his character?
A. He is a victim of circumstance.
B. He is unable to take responsibility for his own life.
C. He has high standards.
D. He is seeking sympathy.
127. Aston’s monologue about the hospital is a rare moment of what in the play?
A. Humor
B. Anger
C. Direct and clear communication of past trauma.
D. Deception
128. The conflict over the open window represents what?
A. A disagreement about the weather.
B. A struggle for control and territory within the room.
C. Davies’s concern for his health.
D. Aston’s carelessness.
129. What does the Buddha statue represent?
A. Mick’s religious beliefs.
B. A piece of junk among other junk, showing the failure of grand ideas.
C. Aston’s interest in Eastern philosophy.
D. A valuable antique.
130. What is the significance of the play having three acts?
A. It follows the traditional structure of a classical tragedy.
B. It represents the three characters’ perspectives.
C. It shows a progression of time: introduction, development, and conclusion.
D. It has no particular significance.
131. Davies’s racism and prejudice make him what kind of character?
A. A sympathetic hero
B. An unreliable and unsympathetic figure
C. A product of his time
D. A comic villain
132. The ending of the play is best described as:
A. Hopeful
B. Ambiguous and bleak
C. Resolved
D. Comedic
133. What is the role of silence and pauses in the play?
A. They are used to create suspense.
B. They are as important as the dialogue, creating tension and revealing character.
C. They indicate that the actors have forgotten their lines.
D. They are used for comedic effect.
134. Mick’s final act of smashing the Buddha statue signifies what?
A. His frustration and the destruction of his own aspirations.
B. A random act of violence.
C. His dislike for Aston’s taste.
D. He is cleaning up the junk.
135. The play is often categorized within which theatrical movement?
A. Realism
B. Naturalism
C. Theatre of the Absurd
D. Expressionism
136. What is the primary source of conflict in the play?
A. A physical struggle for resources.
B. A psychological battle for dominance and space.
C. A disagreement over political views.
D. A love triangle.
137. How does Aston show kindness to Davies?
A. By giving him a permanent home.
B. By offering him shelter, shoes, and a potential job.
C. By lending him a large sum of money.
D. By defending him against Mick.
138. Davies attempts to align himself with Mick against Aston by doing what?
A. Praising Mick’s business sense.
B. Agreeing that Aston is lazy and crázy.
C. Offering to work for Mick instead.
D. Sharing secrets about Aston.
139. What is the significance of the broken window in Aston’s room?
A. It shows Aston’s carelessness.
B. It represents the characters’ vulnerability and the harshness of the outside world.
C. It is a minor detail with no symbolic meaning.
D. It is a source of comedy.
140. Why does Mick ultimately reject Davies?
A. Davies insulted his brother, Aston.
B. Davies asked for too much money.
C. Davies was not a good decorator.
D. Davies refused to give him references.
141. The play’s setting in a single, cluttered room emphasizes what?
A. The characters’ poverty.
B. The psychological and emotional confinement of the characters.
C. The lack of available housing in London.
D. The temporary nature of their situation.
142. What does Davies’s obsession with his identity papers symbolize?
A. His bureaucratic nature.
B. His desire for official recognition and a place in the social order.
C. His fear of the police.
D. His past as a government official.
143. What is the relationship between the two brothers, Mick and Aston?
A. It is openly hostile.
B. It is loving and supportive.
C. It is complex, with an underlying sense of responsibility and resentment.
D. It is distant and formal.
144. What does Davies’s final, pleading monologue to Aston reveal?
A. His complete desperation and lack of options.
B. His genuine remorse for his actions.
C. His cunning plan to regain Aston’s trust.
D. His newfound sense of self-awareness.
145. The play’s dialogue often creates a sense of:
A. Clarity and understanding.
B. Miscommunication and menace.
C. Formal debate.
D. Joyful banter.
146. What does the “caretaker” role ultimately symbolize for Davies?
A. A simple job.
B. A position of power and authority.
C. A chance at belonging and having a purpose.
D. A way to exploit the brothers.
147. How does the play challenge traditional notions of plot and character?
A. By having a clear beginning, middle, and end.
B. By focusing on a circular, unresolved situation and ambiguous characters.
C. By featuring heroic and noble protagonists.
D. By providing clear moral lessons.
148. What does Aston’s shed represent to him?
A. A simple storage space.
B. A future project that gives his life meaning and purpose.
C. A place to hide from Mick.
D. A reminder of his past failures.
149. The constant threat of violence, both verbal and physical, creates an atmosphere of what?
A. Excitement
B. Security
C. Menace
D. Comedy
150. What is the ultimate outcome for the three characters?
A. They form a new, functional household.
B. They all go their separate ways.
C. They remain trapped in their individual isolations.
D. They find a common purpose in renovating the house.