Oliver Twist Comprehension Worksheet

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📖 Read the Extract

Read the following extract from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens carefully before answering the questions below.

The room in which the boys were fed was a large stone hall, with a copper at one end, out of which the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at meal-times. Of this festive composition each boy had one porringer, and no more — except on occasions of great public rejoicing, when he had two ounces and a quarter of bread besides.

The bowls never wanted washing. The boys polished them with their spoons till they shone again; and when they had performed this operation (which never took very long, the portions being so small), they would sit staring at the copper with such eager eyes as if they could have devoured the very bricks of which it was composed.

Boys have generally excellent appetites. Oliver Twist and his companions had suffered the tortures of slow starvation for three months at last they got so voracious and wild with hunger that one boy, who was tall for his age and hadn't been used to that sort of thing (for his father had kept a small cook-shop), hinted darkly to his companions that unless he had another basin of gruel per diem, he was afraid he might some night happen to eat the boy who slept next to him — a weakly youth of tender age. He had a wild, hungry eye; and they implicitly believed him.

A council was held; lots were cast who should walk up to the master after supper that evening and ask for more; and it fell to Oliver Twist.

The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered to each other and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbours nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger and reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:

"Please, sir, I want some more."

🔍 Part 1: Retrieval Questions

Answer these questions using facts directly from the extract.

1. What were the boys fed in the workhouse?

2. How much extra food did the boys receive on special occasions?

3. Why did the boys not need to wash their bowls?

4. For how long had Oliver and his companions been suffering from starvation?

5. What was the father of the tall boy's occupation?

6. What threat did the tall boy make to frighten the others?

7. How was it decided who would ask for more food?

8. What did Oliver have in his hands when he approached the master?

9. What did the other boys do to encourage Oliver as the meal ended?

10. What were the exact words Oliver spoke to the master?

💭 Part 2: Inference Questions

These questions require you to read between the lines. Use evidence from the text to support your answers.

11. What does the phrase "the bowls never wanted washing" suggest about the boys' hunger? Explain your answer.

12. Dickens describes the meal as "short commons" and the grace as "long." What effect does this contrast create? What might Dickens be suggesting about the workhouse?

13. Oliver is described as "desperate with hunger and reckless with misery." What does this tell us about how he is feeling, and why is it significant that he acts despite being afraid?

14. How does Dickens use humour in this extract to highlight the serious issue of child poverty? Give an example from the text.

15. What impression do you get of the master of the workhouse from this extract? Use evidence from the text to support your view.

✍️ Part 3: Creative Writing Task

Choose one of the tasks below and write your response in the space provided.

Option A: Write the next scene from the master's point of view. How does he react to Oliver's request? What does he think and feel? Try to use language that shows he has little sympathy for the boys.

— OR —

Option B: Imagine you are one of the other boys in the hall. Write a diary entry for that evening, describing what happened when Oliver asked for more and how it made you feel.

Aim to write at least one full paragraph. Think carefully about vocabulary, character, and setting.