Question Bank: A Draught of Kindness
Author: Charles Dickens
Source: An excerpt from The Old Curiosity Shop
I. Extract-Based Questions – 4 Scores Each
🔵 1.
“They were now in open country; the houses were very few and scattered at long intervals, often miles apart.”
(a) Who are referred to as “they”? (1)
(b) From which city had they travelled? (1)
(c) Why had they left the city? (2)
🟣 2.
“Occasionally they came upon a cluster of poor cottages, some with a chair or low board put across the open door…”
(a) Why was a chair or low board placed across the door? (1)
(b) Where were the members of some families? (1)
(c) What does the description reveal about village life? (2)
🟢 3.
“There were dull pigs too, turning up the ground in search of dainty food and grunting their monotonous grumblings…”
(a) What were the pigs searching for? (1)
(b) What sound did they make? (1)
(c) How does this description make the rural scene vivid? (2)
🟠 4.
“They walked all day and slept that night at a small cottage where beds were let to travellers.”
(a) Who are “they”? (1)
(b) Where did they sleep? (1)
(c) What does this reveal about the nature of their journey? (2)
🔴 5.
“Next morning, they were afoot again and though jaded at first and very tired, recovered before long and proceeded briskly forward.”
(a) What does “afoot” mean? (1)
(b) How did they feel at first? (1)
(c) What does their decision to continue reveal about them? (2)
🟡 6.
“The child looked wistfully in each, doubtful at which to ask for permission to rest awhile and buy a draught of milk.”
(a) Who is “the child”? (1)
(b) What did she want to buy? (1)
(c) Why did she hesitate to approach a cottage? (2)
🔵 7.
“It was not easy to determine, for she was timid and fearful of being repulsed.”
(a) What was difficult to determine? (1)
(b) What does “repulsed” mean here? (1)
(c) What does the line reveal about Nell’s emotional condition? (2)
🟣 8.
“At length she stopped at one where the family was seated round a table…”
(a) Where did Nell stop? (1)
(b) Who was sitting beside the hearth? (1)
(c) Why did she choose that particular cottage? (2)
🟢 9.
“She thought he was a grandfather and would feel for hers.”
(a) Who does “he” refer to? (1)
(b) Who does “hers” refer to? (1)
(c) Why did Nell expect sympathy from him? (2)
🟠 10.
“The request was no sooner made, than granted.”
(a) What was the request? (1)
(b) Who made it? (1)
(c) How did the members of the family respond? (2)
🔴 11.
“The eldest boy ran out to fetch some milk, the second dragged two stools towards the door…”
(a) Why did the eldest boy run out? (1)
(b) Why did the second boy bring the stools? (1)
(c) What do their actions reveal about the family? (2)
🟡 12.
“God save you, master. Are you travelling far?”
(a) Who speaks these words? (1)
(b) To whom are they spoken? (1)
(c) What do these words reveal about the speaker? (2)
🔵 13.
“Yes sir, a long way,” replied the child; for her grandfather appealed to her.
(a) Who is the child? (1)
(b) Why did she answer for her grandfather? (1)
(c) What does this reveal about their relationship? (2)
🟣 14.
“It was nigh two-and-thirty year since he had been there last and he did hear say there were great changes.”
(a) Which place is referred to? (1)
(b) How long had it been since the speaker visited it? (1)
(c) Why does the old man reflect on the passage of time? (2)
🟢 15.
“I should have a son pretty nigh as old as you if he’d lived…”
(a) Who says these words? (1)
(b) What had happened to his son? (1)
(c) What do his words reveal about his memories and grief? (2)
🟠 16.
“He always said he’d be buried near the sun dial he used to climb upon when he was a baby…”
(a) Who is “he”? (1)
(b) Where did he wish to be buried? (1)
(c) Why was that place emotionally significant? (2)
🔴 17.
“The milk arrived and the child producing her little basket and selecting its best fragments for her grandfather, they made a hearty meal.”
(a) Who brought the milk? (1)
(b) For whom did Nell select the best food? (1)
(c) What does this action reveal about Nell? (2)
🟡 18.
“But everything was clean and neat, and as the child glanced round, she felt a tranquil air of comfort and content…”
(a) How was the cottage maintained? (1)
(b) What feeling did it produce in Nell? (1)
(c) Why was this feeling unfamiliar to her? (2)
🔵 19.
“How far is it to any town or village?”
(a) Who asks this question? (1)
(b) What answer does she receive? (1)
(c) Why does she ask about the distance? (2)
🟣 20.
“There’s a good barn hard by, master, or there’s travellers’ lodgings, I know.”
(a) Who makes this suggestion? (1)
(b) What does “hard by” mean? (1)
(c) Why does he suggest these places? (2)
🟢 21.
“Further away, dear Nell, pray further away.”
(a) Who says these words? (1)
(b) What does he want Nell to do? (1)
(c) Why is he restless and unwilling to stay? (2)
🟠 22.
“But the woman had observed, from the young wanderer’s gait, that one of her little feet was blistered and sore.”
(a) Who is the “young wanderer”? (1)
(b) How did the woman notice her injury? (1)
(c) What did the woman do after noticing it? (2)
🔴 23.
“She did this so carefully and with such a gentle hand—rough-grained and hard though it was, with work…”
(a) Who is “she”? (1)
(b) What did she do carefully? (1)
(c) Explain the contrast in the description of her hand. (2)
🟡 24.
“The child’s heart was too full to admit of her saying more than a fervent ‘God bless you!’”
(a) Who is the child? (1)
(b) To whom does she say “God bless you”? (1)
(c) Why was she unable to say anything more? (2)
🔵 25.
“The whole family, even the old grandfather, were standing in the road watching them as they went…”
(a) Whom were they watching? (1)
(b) How did the two groups bid farewell? (1)
(c) What does the scene reveal about the bond formed between them? (2)
🟣 26.
“They trudged forward, more slowly and painfully than they had done yet…”
(a) Who trudged forward? (1)
(b) Why were they moving slowly? (1)
(c) What happened after they had travelled another mile? (2)
🟢 27.
“They asked me to look out for you.”
(a) Who says these words? (1)
(b) Who are “they”? (1)
(c) What had they asked the speaker to do? (2)
🟠 28.
“To them the jolting cart was a luxurious carriage and the ride the most delicious in the world.”
(a) Who are “them”? (1)
(b) Why did the cart appear luxurious? (1)
(c) Identify and explain the contrast in these words. (2)
🔴 29.
“Nell had scarcely settled herself on a little heap of straw in one corner, when she fell asleep.”
(a) Where did Nell settle herself? (1)
(b) Why did she fall asleep immediately? (1)
(c) What does this incident reveal about her physical condition? (2)
🟡 30.
“The driver kindly got down to help her out…”
(a) Whom did the driver help? (1)
(b) Why did the cart stop? (1)
(c) What further guidance did the driver give the travellers? (2)
II. Prepositions from the Lesson – 1 Score Each
Choose the correct preposition from the brackets.
🔵 1. The houses were scattered ______ long intervals.
(at / into / beneath)
🟣 2. Some cottages had a low board put ______ the open door.
(across / beneath / among)
🟢 3. The board kept the children ______ the road.
(from / over / beside)
🟠 4. The family members were working ______ the fields.
(in / across / upon)
🔴 5. Horses peered ______ the low wall.
(over / into / between)
🟡 6. The pigs turned up the ground ______ search of food.
(in / on / through)
🔵 7. Pigeons skimmed ______ the roof.
(round / beneath / between)
🟣 8. Ducks waddled ______ the edges of the pond.
(about / into / beneath)
🟢 9. They slept that night ______ a small cottage.
(at / through / among)
🟠 10. Nell looked wistfully ______ each cottage.
(in / over / beneath)
🔴 11. The family was seated ______ a table.
(round / under / across)
🟡 12. The old man was sitting ______ a cushioned chair.
(in / on / among)
🔵 13. He sat ______ the hearth.
(beside / through / over)
🟣 14. The eldest boy ran out ______ fetch some milk.
(to / for / at)
🟢 15. The second boy dragged two stools ______ the door.
(towards / beneath / across)
🟠 16. The youngest child looked at the strangers ______ beneath his hand.
(from / into / across)
🔴 17. The old man knocked his stick ______ the brick floor.
(upon / between / into)
🟡 18. His son wished to be buried ______ the sun dial.
(near / through / across)
🔵 19. Nell selected the best fragments ______ her grandfather.
(for / with / across)
🟣 20. Some pictures were placed in frames ______ the wall.
(upon / beneath / between)
🟢 21. The woman noticed Nell’s injury ______ her gait.
(from / through / among)
🟠 22. One of Nell’s feet was blistered and sore ______ walking.
(from / beside / upon)
🔴 23. The family stood ______ the road watching the travellers.
(in / at / over)
🟡 24. Nell and her grandfather heard the sound of wheels ______ them.
(behind / across / under)
🔵 25. The driver looked earnestly ______ Nell.
(at / through / beneath)
🟣 26. Nell settled herself ______ a little heap of straw.
(on / into / among)
🟢 27. She slept ______ one corner of the cart.
(in / over / beside)
🟠 28. The cart was about to turn ______ a bye lane.
(up / between / through)
🔴 29. The driver pointed ______ some trees.
(to / beneath / across)
🟡 30. The path led ______ the churchyard.
(through / over / beside)
III. Questions Carrying 6 Scores
Diary Entries
🔵 1. Nell and her grandfather leave the kind cottager’s family and continue their journey. Prepare Nell’s diary entry expressing her feelings.
🟣 2. Nell reaches the town after travelling in the cart. Prepare her diary entry describing the day’s hardships and acts of kindness.
🟢 3. Imagine that the cottager’s wife writes a diary entry after treating Nell’s injured foot. Prepare the likely entry.
🟠 4. The old cottager remembers his dead son after speaking to Nell’s grandfather. Prepare his diary entry.
Character and Theme Questions
🔴 5. What qualities of Nell are revealed through her care for her grandfather during the journey?
🟡 6. Describe how the cottager’s family welcomed Nell and her grandfather.
🔵 7. Examine the character of the cottager’s wife with reference to her treatment of Nell.
🟣 8. How does the old cottager’s personal sorrow enable him to understand the travellers?
🟢 9. What does the extract reveal about the relationship between Nell and her grandfather?
🟠 10. Compare the physical poverty of the cottage with the richness of the family’s humanity.
🔴 11. How does the driver continue the chain of kindness begun by the cottager’s family?
🟡 12. Describe the hardships experienced by Nell and her grandfather during their journey.
🔵 13. Why does Nell select the particular cottage with the old man beside the hearth?
🟣 14. How does Dickens make the rural landscape lively and memorable?
🟢 15. Explain the significance of the title A Draught of Kindness.
🟠 16. “Kindness is expressed through action rather than words.” Discuss with reference to the extract.
🔴 17. How does the story show that strangers can form meaningful human connections?
🟡 18. What does Nell’s fervent “God bless you!” reveal about her emotional state?
Speech and Debate
🔵 19. Prepare a speech on:
“A Small Act of Kindness Can Make a Difficult Journey Easier.”
🟣 20. Prepare the concluding part of a debate on the motion:
“Hospitality is the truest expression of humanity.”
🟢 21. Prepare a speech for your school assembly on:
“The Importance of Helping Strangers in Need.”
🟠 22. Prepare the concluding part of a debate on:
“Kindness is more valuable than material wealth.”
Poster
🔴 23. Prepare a poster for a school campaign carrying the message:
“Spread Kindness Wherever You Go.”
🟡 24. Prepare a poster announcing a programme to provide food and temporary shelter to weary travellers.
🔵 25. Prepare a poster for World Kindness Day organised by your school.
Conversation
🟣 26. Prepare the likely conversation between Nell and the old cottager when she asks for milk and a place to rest.
🟢 27. Prepare the conversation between Nell and the cottager’s wife when the woman notices Nell’s injured foot.
🟠 28. Prepare the conversation between the cart driver and Nell when he offers them a ride.
🔴 29. Imagine that Nell speaks to her grandfather about the kindness shown by the family. Prepare their conversation.
Letter and Email
🟡 30. Imagine that Nell writes a letter to the cottager’s family thanking them for their kindness. Prepare the letter.
🔵 31. Prepare an email to a friend describing how a poor family helped Nell and her grandfather during their journey.
Paragraph and Profile
🟣 32. Prepare a paragraph on “Kindness Among Strangers.”
🟢 33. Prepare a paragraph on “Simple Living and Rich Humanity.”
🟠 34. Prepare a profile of Charles Dickens using the information provided in the lesson.
IV. Questions Carrying 8 Scores
🔵 1.
Narrate the experiences of Nell and her grandfather at the labourer’s cottage.
Hints: tired travellers – Nell’s hesitation – choice of cottage – warm reception – milk and stools – conversation with old man – simple meal – care for Nell’s foot – emotional farewell
🟣 2.
How do the simple acts of the cottager’s family transform a brief meeting into an unforgettable experience?
Hints: immediate acceptance – milk – seats – conversation – concern about journey – offer of accommodation – treatment of blister – request to driver – affectionate farewell
🟢 3.
Describe Nell as a loving, responsible and courageous child.
Hints: difficult journey – care for grandfather – answering for him – searching for shelter – selecting best food for him – hiding her pain – gratitude – perseverance
🟠 4.
Discuss how Charles Dickens presents kindness among ordinary people in A Draught of Kindness.
Hints: poor but generous family – spontaneous hospitality – old man’s sympathy – mother’s care – children’s cooperation – driver’s assistance – no expectation of reward
🔴 5.
Explain how the physical journey becomes a journey through different forms of human kindness.
Hints: escape from London – exhaustion – search for rest – hospitality – food – emotional understanding – medical care – cart ride – guidance to town
🟡 6.
Justify the title A Draught of Kindness.
Hints: literal draught of milk – kindness accompanying it – temporary relief – emotional comfort – care for injured foot – arranged cart ride – kindness restoring strength and hope
🔵 7.
Contrast the poverty of the cottager’s home with the comfort and contentment Nell experiences there.
Hints: rough furniture – limited crockery – common pictures – simple food – cleanliness – order – warm reception – tranquillity – emotional richness
🟣 8.
How does Dickens use the rural setting to provide the background for the central theme of kindness?
Hints: open country – scattered cottages – farmyard – village life – labourers’ huts – humble family – distance from city – natural simplicity – hospitality
🟢 9.
Discuss the role of the cottager’s wife in communicating the central message of the extract.
Hints: attentive observation – notices Nell’s gait – understands her pain – refuses to let her leave untreated – washes foot – simple remedy – gentle hand – maternal compassion
🟠 10.
Describe the old cottager and explain how memory, loss and age shape his response to the travellers.
Hints: eighty-four years old – past visits to London – dead soldier son – burial near sun dial – continuing grief – apology – sympathy for grandfather – emotional connection
🔴 11.
“True generosity does not depend on wealth.” Substantiate with reference to the extract.
Hints: poor cottage – simple possessions – readily offered milk – seats and food – concern – treatment – arranged transport – warmth without reward
🟡 12.
Trace the acts of kindness shown to Nell and her grandfather from their arrival at the cottage until they reach the town.
Hints: request immediately granted – milk – stools – conversation – meal – offer of shelter – treatment of foot – farewell – driver sent to find them – cart ride – directions
🔵 13.
How does Nell’s relationship with her grandfather deepen the emotional appeal of the narrative?
Hints: shared danger – dependence – Nell answers for him – puts his needs first – selects best food – respects restless wishes – continues despite pain – mutual love
🟣 14.
Examine the use of contrast in A Draught of Kindness.
Hints: city and countryside – hardship and comfort – poverty and generosity – rough hand and gentle touch – jolting cart and luxurious carriage – strangers and emotional closeness
🟢 15.
“Being human means understanding the hardships of others and helping them in their need.” Discuss with reference to the extract.
Hints: Nell’s hesitation – family’s immediate response – grandfather’s sympathy – wife’s observation – treatment of injury – concern after departure – driver’s cooperation – practical compassion
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