GCSE Harper Lee | Character Revision, To Kill a Mockingbird

English Literature Quiz - To Kill a Mockingbird - Character (Questions)

This GCSE quiz explores key characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, helping you understand their motives, relationships and choices so you can write stronger exam answers.

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Fascinating Fact:

Mayella Ewell is a lonely young woman trapped by poverty and her father’s control, and her false accusation against Tom shows how fear and social pressure can lead to moral failure.

In GCSE English Literature, studying characters in To Kill a Mockingbird means looking closely at what they say, do and believe. This helps you analyse prejudice, justice and growing up in your exam answers.

Key Terms

Protagonist: The main character in a story. In this novel it is Scout Finch, who also narrates the events.
Characterisation: The methods a writer uses to present a character, such as dialogue, actions, thoughts and how others react to them.
Moral courage: The bravery needed to do what is right, even when it is unpopular or dangerous, as shown by Atticus Finch.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Who is the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird?

The main character is Scout Finch, who tells the story as an adult remembering her childhood. Through Scout’s eyes the reader sees Maycomb, its prejudice and her growing understanding of justice.

How is Atticus Finch shown as a good role model?

Atticus is shown as a good role model because he treats everyone with respect, explains difficult ideas clearly to his children and defends Tom Robinson even when the town disapproves.

Why is Mayella Ewell important to the story?

Mayella is important because her accusation against Tom Robinson triggers the trial that exposes Maycomb’s racism. Her situation shows how fear, pressure and lies can destroy innocent lives.

Try These Related Quizzes

How does the narrator inform the reader that she was a tomboy as a young girl?

[ ]	She describes herself as wearing overalls
[ ]	She reports that her brother was not surprised when she beat up Walter Cunningham
[ ]	She remarks that she did not wish to grow up to be a lady
[ ]	All of the above

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe Jem?

[ ]	Curious
[ ]	Determined
[ ]	Fearless
[ ]	Loyal

Which of the children in To Kill a Mockingbird could best be described as "inventive"?

[ ]	Jem
[ ]	Scout
[ ]	Dill
[ ]	Walter Cunningham

Atticus shoots the rabid dog in the street with a single shot. What effect does this episode have on Jem's and Scout's view of their father?

[ ]	They are surprised by his violence
[ ]	Their view of their father remains unchanged
[ ]	They become ashamed of him
[ ]	They take more pride in him

"Calpurnia bent down and kissed me. I ran along, wondering what had come over her." What does Scout's reaction to the kiss tell the reader about Calpurnia?

[ ]	She rarely shows her affection
[ ]	She often behaves in contradictory ways
[ ]	Calpurnia's affection is always visible in her behaviour towards Scout
[ ]	She approaches her work in the Finch household with an entirely business-like manner

Which aspect of Tom Robinson's character leads to his trial?

[ ]	Honesty
[ ]	Kindness
[ ]	Wisdom
[ ]	All of the above

How do Jem and Scout come to change their opinion about Boo Radley?

[ ]	They realise that he has been leaving them presents in the knot-hole
[ ]	Jem's trousers are mysteriously mended after being caught in the fence
[ ]	They realise that Boo must have placed a blanket around Scout to keep her warm while everyone was watching the firefighters at Miss Maudie's house
[ ]	All of the above

What do the red geraniums in the Ewell yard NOT tell the reader about Mayella?

[ ]	She makes an effort to improve circumstances
[ ]	She has many chores
[ ]	She hopes for better from life
[ ]	She appreciates beauty

Aunt Alexandra wishes to send Calpurnia home. Why?

[ ]	She does not like Calpurnia taking Scout to church
[ ]	She does not like Calpurnia's cooking
[ ]	She enjoys keeping house and does not think Calpurnia does a good job
[ ]	She thinks Calpurnia is too strict with the children

10.

How does the friendship between the Finch children and Miss Maudie differ from their relationships with other adults?

[ ]	Miss Maudie gives them food
[ ]	Miss Maudie does not teach them anything
[ ]	Miss Maudie treats them as equals
[ ]	Miss Maudie laughs at them

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Characters

English Literature Quiz - To Kill a Mockingbird - Character (Answers)

How does the narrator inform the reader that she was a tomboy as a young girl?

[ ]	She describes herself as wearing overalls
[ ]	She reports that her brother was not surprised when she beat up Walter Cunningham
[ ]	She remarks that she did not wish to grow up to be a lady
[x]	All of the above

Scout spends her time playing with Jem and Dill and hates being excluded for her gender

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe Jem?

[ ]	Curious
[ ]	Determined
[x]	Fearless
[ ]	Loyal

Although he denies his fears, Jem often feels afraid. He puts his fears aside when he is determined to find out something he wants to know, or when he is responding to a dare

Which of the children in To Kill a Mockingbird could best be described as "inventive"?

[ ]	Jem
[ ]	Scout
[x]	Dill
[ ]	Walter Cunningham

Jem and Scout enjoy Dill's stories and also enjoy catching him out when he has been embellishing those stories. He often lies for their entertainment or when the subject of his father is mentioned

Atticus shoots the rabid dog in the street with a single shot. What effect does this episode have on Jem's and Scout's view of their father?

[ ]	They are surprised by his violence
[ ]	Their view of their father remains unchanged
[ ]	They become ashamed of him
[x]	They take more pride in him

Jem and Scout had been embarrassed that Atticus was much older than the fathers of their classmates and spent his time in less masculine pursuits than hunting, fishing, drinking and smoking

"Calpurnia bent down and kissed me. I ran along, wondering what had come over her." What does Scout's reaction to the kiss tell the reader about Calpurnia?

[x]	She rarely shows her affection
[ ]	She often behaves in contradictory ways
[ ]	Calpurnia's affection is always visible in her behaviour towards Scout
[ ]	She approaches her work in the Finch household with an entirely business-like manner

Calpurnia is a dependable presence in the lives of the Finch children. She feels affectionate towards Jem and Scout but does not often show it. Scout is more familiar with reprimands than with kisses

Which aspect of Tom Robinson's character leads to his trial?

[ ]	Honesty
[x]	Kindness
[ ]	Wisdom
[ ]	All of the above

His kindness in stopping to speak to and occasionally help Mayella make him the target of her accusation. Scout believes that Tom was the only person who had ever been kind to Mayella

How do Jem and Scout come to change their opinion about Boo Radley?

[ ]	They realise that he has been leaving them presents in the knot-hole
[ ]	Jem's trousers are mysteriously mended after being caught in the fence
[ ]	They realise that Boo must have placed a blanket around Scout to keep her warm while everyone was watching the firefighters at Miss Maudie's house
[x]	All of the above

Despite this series of events, Scout still responds dramatically when she realises that Boo had been directly behind her

What do the red geraniums in the Ewell yard NOT tell the reader about Mayella?

[ ]	She makes an effort to improve circumstances
[x]	She has many chores
[ ]	She hopes for better from life
[ ]	She appreciates beauty

Scout thinks about the red geraniums when Mayella makes her appearance in court. Scout can tell that, unlike the rest of the Ewells, Mayella attempts to keep herself clean. Despite her hard work looking after her many siblings, Mayella also finds time to cultivate the flowers