A Christmas Carol - 'The Goblins Who Stole A Sexton' prediction quiz
A useful resource ideal as an accompanying activity for KS4 students who are reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for GCSE English Literature.
The prediction quiz resource has 13 questions which link the story 'The Goblins Who Stole A Sexton' to A Christmas Carol. The short story was published as part of Dickens's series The Pickwick Papers and written seven years before A Christmas Carol.
Helpful as an activity when students read A Christmas Carol as they can make connections between the two texts and consider why Dickens has structured the two tales in deliberate ways.
The quiz is also handy as a revision tool to spark connections and remind students of key aspects of their exam text.
What's included?
- Free printable PDF prediction quiz with accompanying answer sheet.
- Editable version (for subscribers) to adapt and customise for your class.
How to use this A Christmas Carol prediction quiz for GCSE students
Useful as a whole class activity or for pair/group work, students can work independently or in teams to secure the answers and have detailed discussions about the plot, characters and themes of their exam text.
Students could also complete this quiz at home for homework or it can be used as a traditional quiz in class with teams competing against each other for points to increase their knowledge and understanding of A Christmas Carol.
There is an answer sheet provided to help students consolidate learning. This could then lead into a feedback session, where developmental areas are identified so that students know how to improve their analysis of the text for future exam responses.
Looking for more like this?
For more resources that support students to engage effectively with A Christmas Carol, try:
Browse more prose resources in our Nineteenth-century prose section.
A sample extract from the resource:
Question 1. The story features a ‘sexton’ – a job that has largely disappeared today. It was a very morbid job. What do you think a sexton actually did?
(a) Prepare bodies for burial (b) Make gravestones (c) Dig the graves (d) Make grave clothes (e) Conduct funerals
Question 2. Dickens makes use of what is known as a ‘type name’. The sexton is a very unpleasant character. What was the sexton’s name?
(a) Uriah Heep (b) Jack Bamber (c) Bill Sikes (d) Mr M’Choakumchild (e) Gabriel Grubb
Question 3. The story is basically about hope and renewal. It takes place on which day of the year?
(a) Christmas Eve (b) Christmas Day (c) Boxing Day (e) New Year’s Eve (e) April 1st
Question 4. The sexton dislikes other people. What does he choose to do to cheer himself up?
(a) Drinks alcohol (b) Digs a grave (c) Sits alone in his house (d) Argues with his family (e) Goes dancing in the village hall
