Book III - Chapter XI. Dusk Quiz — A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

Comprehension Quiz: Book III - Chapter XI. Dusk

How does Lucie respond immediately after hearing Darnay's death sentence?

  • She screams and begs the judges to reconsider the verdict
  • She collapses silently, then forces herself to rise and show only love
  • She faints and must be carried out of the courtroom by Carton
  • She confronts Madame Defarge and demands mercy for her husband

Who proposes that Lucie be allowed to embrace Darnay after his sentencing?

  • Dr. Manette, invoking his influence with the revolutionary tribunal
  • Mr. Lorry, citing Tellson's Bank connections with French officials
  • Barsad, the spy serving as a prison guard at the courthouse
  • Sydney Carton, stepping forward from his obscure corner in the room

What does Darnay tell Dr. Manette during the farewell scene?

  • He blames Manette for not using his influence to prevent the sentence
  • He acknowledges Manette's struggle against his natural antipathy and thanks him
  • He asks Manette to take Lucie and their child back to England immediately
  • He begs Manette to visit the President of the tribunal on his behalf

What detail does Dickens include about Carton's manner as he carries the unconscious Lucie?

  • His arm trembles but there is an air of pride about him, not just pity
  • He weeps openly for the first time in the novel, showing raw emotion
  • He carries her roughly, as though angry at her for fainting in public
  • He speaks calmly to her even though she cannot hear his reassurances

What words does Carton whisper when he kisses the unconscious Lucie?

  • "I will save him for you, I promise you that much at least"
  • "Farewell, dear darling — we shall meet again where the weary rest"
  • "A life you love"
  • "It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done"

Why does Carton encourage Dr. Manette to appeal to the revolutionary judges?

  • He genuinely believes Dr. Manette's influence can reverse the sentence
  • He wants to buy time while he arranges for the family to flee Paris
  • He wants Lucie to later know they tried everything, even though he expects failure
  • He hopes the public demonstrations will distract the judges long enough to help

What does Mr. Lorry say he "heard" in the crowd's reaction during the trial?

  • The voice of reason finally prevailing among the revolutionaries
  • The fall of the axe — meaning the crowd's bloodlust makes reprieve impossible
  • A growing murmur of sympathy that might still save Darnay's life
  • The sound of Madame Defarge's knitting needles clicking in triumph

What does the chapter title "Dusk" symbolize?

  • The dawn of revolutionary justice finally arriving in France at last
  • The fading of hope for Darnay and the twilight before Carton's sacrifice
  • The darkness of Dr. Manette's past returning to destroy his family
  • The literal time of day when Darnay's execution is scheduled to occur

How does the chapter end?

  • Lucie regains consciousness and vows she will not let Darnay perish alone
  • Dr. Manette successfully meets with the President of the tribunal after dark
  • Carton echoes "no real hope" and walks "with a settled step, down-stairs"
  • Barsad secretly visits Carton to discuss a plan to switch Darnay with another prisoner

What is Carton's statement about life that contains a veiled reference to his own planned sacrifice?

  • "Some ships sail from the harbor and are never heard from again"
  • "Of little worth as life is when we misuse it, it is worth that effort. It would cost nothing to lay down if it were not"
  • "The hours between this and to-morrow afternoon are few and short, but try"
  • "I shall never feel her weight" — referring to Lucie as he carries her

Who remembers Carton's whispered words and passes them down to future generations?

  • Mr. Lorry, who writes them in his journal kept at Tellson's Bank
  • Dr. Manette, who tells the story during his final years in London
  • Miss Pross, who overhears from the doorway of Lucie's room
  • Little Lucie, who was nearest to him and told her grandchildren as an old lady

Which theme is MOST strongly developed in this chapter?

  • The inevitability of violent revolution as a response to oppression
  • Self-sacrifice — each character suppresses personal anguish for the sake of others
  • The corruption of the French aristocracy leading to their downfall
  • The unreliability of the legal system during times of political upheaval

Comprehension Quiz

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