The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night -Time - Form, structure and language test questions - CCEA - GCSE English Literature Revision

1

Read this extract from the play and answer the following questions:

Christopher

I’m sorry.

It’s OK.

Christopher

I didn't kill Wellington.

I know. Christopher you have to stay out of trouble, OK?

Christopher

I didn't know I was going to get into trouble. I like Wellington and I went to say hello to him, but I didn't know that someone had killed him.

Just try and keep your nose out of other people’s business.

Christopher

I am going to find out who killed Wellington.

Were you listening to what I was saying, Christopher?

Christopher

Yes I was listening to what you were saying but when someone gets murdered you have to find out who did it so that they can be punished.

It’s a bloody dog Christopher, a bloody dog.

Part One

Ed says 'It’s OK' and 'you have to stay out of trouble OK?' what does this dialogue show about his character?

It shows that he is caring and patient

It shows that he is worried that Christopher's behaviour will make him look bad

He is quite laid back about Christopher getting into trouble

2

Christopher states 'when someone gets murdered you have to find out who did it so that they can be punished.' What is motivating him here?

Christopher is seeking the fame that will come if he finds the 'murderer'

Christopher's motivation is to find the killer of the dog

Christopher likes to see people punished

3

Ed says 'bloody dog Christopher, a bloody dog'. What is his motivation for saying this?

Ed says this because he feels that there are more important things to worry about

Ed says this because he doesn't care about dogs

Ed says this because he wants to distract Christopher from the case

4

How does this extract show that the play is a family drama?

Wellington is considered a part of the Shears' family

It shows an argument happening between two family members

It is discussing the murder of a dog

5

How does this extract show that the play is a crime drama?

It deals with the investigation of a murder

Christopher has committed a crime

Christopher has been sticking his nose into other peoples' business

6

Read this extract from the play and answer the following questions:

Siobhan

Well, we’re meant to be writing stories today so why don’t you write about what happened to Wellington?

Christopher

OK I will.

Siobhan

I can help you.

Christopher

Will you help me with the spelling and the grammar and the footnotes?

Christopher, I’m sorry your mother’s died. She’s had a heart attack. It wasn't expected.

Christopher

What kind of heart attack?

I don’t know what kind of heart attack. Now isn't the moment Christopher to be asking questions like that.

Christopher

It was probably an aneurysm.

I’m sorry Christopher, I’m really sorry.

Mrs Shears’ house is assembled.

Siobhan

That evening I went round to Mrs Shears' house and knocked on the door and waited for her to answer it.

Mrs Shears answers her door. She is drinking a cup of tea.

Mrs Shears

What are you doing here?

Christopher

I wanted to come and tell you that I didn't kill Wellington. And also I want to find out who killed him.

Part One

The play is a 'bildungsroman' where the main character grows and develops. How does Christopher show that he is growing as a character here?

He is writing stories

He is continuing his investigation

He asks his father questions

7

Siobhan speaks Christopher’s voice here. Why is this unusual?

She is his teacher

She is honest about her feelings

There are multiple narrators

8

How is time and space used in this extract?

The action shifts quickly from school, to Christopher's house then to Mrs Shears' house

Christopher is investigating a murder that happened in the past

When Mrs Shears answers the door she is drinking a cup of tea

9

When the action jumps from place to place it helps to reflect what?

It reflects that there are a lot of locations in the play

It reflects that Christopher moves around very quickly

It reflects how Christopher sees the world around him

10

Siobhan says 'we’re meant to be writing stories today' how does this show that the play is a play within a play?

The story that Christopher writes eventually becomes the play we are watching

Christopher enjoys writing

Siobhan wants to mark Christopher's work