The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Themes test questions - CCEA - GCSE English Literature Revision

1

Read the extract and then answer the following questions:

Mrs Gascoyne

If Christopher sits an A-level then he would have to have a member of staff looking after him on his own in a separate room.

I’ll pay for it. They can do it after school. Here. Fifty quid. Is that enough?

Mrs Gascoyne

Mr Boone.

I’m not going to take no for an answer.

Ed turns to Christopher

Where have you been?

Christopher

I have been out.

I have just had a phone call from Mrs Shears. What the hell were you doing poking round her garden?

Christopher

I was doing detective work trying to figure out who killed Wellington.

How many times do I have to tell you Christopher? I told you to keep your nose out of other people’s business.

Christopher

I think Mr Shears probably killed Wellington.

Ed (shouts)

I will not have that man’s name mentioned in my house.

Part One

Ed states that he will "not take no for an answer". What does this tell us about Ed as a parent?

He will fight to get the best for Christopher

He is passive when it comes to Christopher

He is not interested in Christopher's future

2

Ed asks Christopher "What the hell were you doing poking round her garden?" What does this show about what living with Christopher can be like?

That living with Christopher is problem free

That living with Christopher can be difficult

That living with Christopher is always fun

3

Why does Ed shout when he hears Mr Shears' name?

He had an affair with his wife, Judy

Mr Shears did not kill Wellington

He is tired of Christopher speaking about the investigation

4

How does this extract reflect the theme of honesty and trust?

Both Christopher and Ed are lying to each other

Neither character trusts the other

Ed is lying to Christopher

5

How does Christopher show that he is beginning to brave the unknown?

He is having an argument with his father

He is continuing with his investigation

He mentions Mr Shears

6

Read the extract and then answer the following questions:

I’m talking to her whether you like it or not.

Judy

Roger. Don’t. Just…

Roger

I’m not going to be spoken to like that in my own home.

I’ll talk to you how I damn well like.

Judy

You have no right to be here.

He’s my son in case you’ve forgotten.

Judy

What in God’s name did you think you were playing at saying those things to him?

You were the one who bloody left.

Judy

So you decided to just wipe me out of his life altogether?

Roger

Now let’s all just calm down here, shall we?

Well isn't that what you wanted?

Judy

I wrote to him every week.

..........

I cooked his meals. I cleaned his clothes. I looked after him every weekend; I looked after him when he was ill. I took him to the doctor. I worried myself sick every time he wandered off somewhere at night. I went to school every time he got into a fight. And you? What?

Part Two

Ed states 'You were the one who bloody left'. What does this reveal about how he feels about the break-up of his marriage?

He is happy that Judy left

He still feels bitter about it

He wanted Judy to leave

7

Judy claims that she wrote to Christopher. How does Ed feel about this?

He feels that she has done enough to stay in touch

He feels that she wrote too many letters

He feels that the letters were not enough

8

Judy says 'So you decided to just wipe me out of his life altogether?' How does this relate to the theme of honesty and trust?

Ed lied and said that Judy had died

Judy wishes that she had more of a part in Christopher's life

Ed told the truth about where Judy had gone

9

From what Ed says, what can we infer he thinks family means?

Ed thinks that family means being together

Ed thinks that family means doing fun things together

Ed thinks that family means looking after each other

10

What difficulties has Ed encountered in living with Christopher?

Christopher has broken lots of things

Christopher has wandered off in the night

Christopher eats too much food