Bridge 03, november 2011, volume 15
Teachers’
File
DVD Help Guide:
Oliver Twist
Dear Teachers,
Along with the magazine you will receive
a film adaptation of the classic Dickens’
story of the young orphan Oliver Twist,
released in 2005. We have picked this
film, directed by Roman Polanski, for
its faithful portrayal of the tale, written
in 1837. As the film is set in Victorian
London, there is a glossary of language
from the time prepared for you. It is
divided into chapters following the same
structure as the DVD. At the end of this
help guide, there are tasks (Handouts)
based on the film. Also solutions to
Exam Time are given below.
The DVD Help Guide (together with
the script) is available on the Bridge
website – in the ‘Učitelé’ section.
THE PASSWORD IS ‘ACTIVITY’.
Exam Time – Solutions (p. 11)
oliver twist
Lower level: 1A, 2C, 3B, 4B, 5C, 6B, 7A, 8A, 9C, 10C, 11B, 12A, 13A, 14C
Higher level: 1 possibly, 2 belief(s), 3 settlement, 4 unknown, 5 dangerous, 6 comfortably,
7 privacy, 8 impossible, 9 warmth, 10 exception, 11 unsafe, 12 stressful
Chapters 1–15
CHAPTER 1
(00:00:00–00:07:33)
Synopsis: We are introduced to
Oliver Twist and his difficult life.
We see that Oliver has no parents
and no one seems to care for him.
At the age of nine he is put to
work pulling apart old ropes.
CHAPTER 2
(00:07:34–00:15:08)
Oliver is sent away from
the workhouse because he asks for
more food. At first, the directors
of the workhouse try to place him
in the service of a chimney sweep,
but the compassion of a magistrate
prevents this. Then Oliver is
apprenticed to an undertaker,
Mr Sowerberry.
Glossary
beadle – an officer of the parish
to compose oneself – to calm down
distinctly – clearly
whoa – an exclamation meaning
‘stop’, often used with horses
Glossary
give it a rest – an exclamation
meaning ‘stop talking about
(a specific topic)’
lad – a boy
bountiful – plentiful
thou hast placed (old fashioned) –
you have placed / put
Culture point
chimney sweeping – cleaning
chimneys with long brushes
to smother – to cover someone so
they cannot breathe
to damp – to make wet
straw – long strands of dried grass
afore (old fashioned) – before
blaze – a strong fire
to extricate – to remove
to dote on someone – to show
a great deal of affection
Your Worship – formal addressing of
an official (Vaše blahorodí)
indentures – an agreement which
makes a person the servant of
another
designing (old fashioned) –
scheming
to sanction – to permit by law or
social custom
liberal terms – conditions which are
not very tough
foundling – another term for an
orphan
literary character – a writer of great
skill (used ironically)
to daresay (old fashioned) – to
assume
bag of bones – very skinny person
to put by – to put aside
well-looked after unless they had
property.
Papers of Indenture were
contracts which placed a child
in the apprenticeship of
a tradesperson. This contract bound
the apprentice to his (they were
mostly boys) tradesperson until
adulthood.
Chimney sweeping was in great
demand in the Victorian Era
as so many new buildings were
built. Children were used to clean
inside the narrow chimneys. It
was dangerous work, and master
chimney sweeps often recruited
from orphanages because sadly
they knew that the children had no
parents to watch over them.
to bow – to bend at the waist to show
respect
board – council
parish farm – a farm owned and run
by a church
trade – a job that requires special
training (řemeslo)
oakum – loose fibre (koudel)
to unpick – to remove fibres from an
old rope
CHAPTER 3
Oliver gets angry, fights with Noah
and is punished.
Oliver is treated unkindly by his
colleague Noah Claypole and
Mrs Sowerberry. Though Noah is
also a boy, he is Oliver’s superior
at work and so Oliver shows
him respect by calling him ‘sir’.
Claypole’s horrible treatment
culminates in him speaking badly
about Oliver’s deceased mother.
Glossary
(00:15:09–00:24:18)
CHAPTER 4
(00:24:19–00:29:23)
Oliver decides to run away from
the Sowerberrys. Finally, he makes
it to London, where he meets
a homeless boy who introduces
himself as the Artful Dodger.
to whop – to hit
brat – a child who acts badly
shutters – the wooden coverings
over windows
idle – not busy / lazy
sneak – a deceitful / dishonest
person
Glossary
to give a turn – to cause an
emotional reaction
my eyes ain’t what they were  –
my eyes aren’t what they used
to be
little mite – a small child
Culture points
Orphans in the Victorian era didn’t
only mean children whose parents
had died. A child with one parent,
who had been abandoned, or was
made to leave home, could also
be called an orphan. The orphans
of working people were often not
mark my words – an exclamation
meaning “you will see” or “I will be
proven right”
to set sb off – to cause somebody to
be upset
right-down bad one – a very bad
person
hard labouring – hard working
to flog sb – to beat someone very
hard with a whip or a stick
to tremble – to shake with fear
gruel – a meal made from boiling
grain in water or milk
grub – food
I’m at a low-water mark – I’m at
an unlucky point in life
I’ll fork out and stump - I’ll share
(food or money)
on your pins – on your legs
lodgings – place to stay
1
The workhouse, also known as
a poorhouse, was an institution used
to house and employ the extremely
poor. Conditions were hard, the work
boring and the food of low quality.
Each workhouse was managed
by a parish – the region around
a specific church. During Dickens’
time, the workhouse system became
nationalised under the 1832 Poor Law.
wretch – a person of low moral
character
Culture point
A mute, who could be either an
adult or child, had the job of being
at a funeral to look sad and thus
give the occasion the solemnity
(seriousness) it required.
Culture point
Because of poverty and the
breakdown in homes, many children
worked as professional pickpockets.
The punishment if they were caught
was very severe.
CHAPTER 5
(00:29:24–00:37:52)
The Artful Dodger takes Oliver to
meet his ‘employer’ Fagin. Fagin
seems to be very nice to the boy
and gives him food and drink.
Oliver doesn’t realize that Dodger
and the other boys pick pockets
for Fagin.
Glossary
cor (slang) – an exclamation showing
disbelief / wow
magistrate – an official of a lower
court
plummy and slam (slang) –
everything is all right
wipe (slang) – silk handkerchiefs
intimate acquaintance (formal) –
close friend
CHAPTER 6
Fagin and the boys teach Oliver how to steal. At
that moment two of Fagin’s former employees,
Nancy and Betty, arrive. Later, Fagin feels Oliver
is ready to steal on the streets with the other
boys. On his first day, Oliver is caught, even
though he hadn’t committed the crime.
(00:45:17–00:52:39)
Oliver is taken to court, where
after a brief confused trial, he
is released and makes friends
with Mr Brownlow, a bookseller.
Meanwhile, Dodger tells Fagin that
Oliver has been caught. Fagin’s
fellow criminal Bill Sykes is visiting.
Sykes presses his girlfriend Nancy
to find Oliver.
Glossary
to charge with – for the police to
formally say that sb has committed
a crime
to appear against – when a lawyer
represents opponent in court
this instant – right now
insolent – not showing respect
scoundrel – a dishonest person
stuff and nonsense – an
exclamation meaning ‘this is
ridiculous’
he stands committed for
shamming – he is guilty of deceit
a soul to mind the shop – a person
to look after the shop
disreputable circumstances –
morally questionable events
to press charges (against
someone) – to ask the court to try
and find someone guilty
mind that step – be careful of that
step
make way for the law – let
the police through
pray – please (in imperatives)
to throttle – to kill sb by squeezing
their throat
traps – slang for the police
Mr Brownlow shows a great deal of compassion for
Oliver and wants to be a positive influence in his life.
Brownlow’s friend Grimwig is not so sure. Despite his
friend’s opinion, Brownlow trusts Oliver enough to send
him with a five pound note and books to be returned.
While in the city, Nancy and Sykes
find Oliver and force him to go
back to Fagin. Fagin is angry at
Oliver who called for help and
warns Oliver that if he does not
do as Fagin wants he may end
up badly. Nancy shows signs of
feelings for Oliver.
Greenland. The other boys tease
Oliver because of his polite and
earnest nature.
The slang which the Artful Dodger
speaks is based on the secret
language of criminals from
the late medieval period. By
the Victorian era, much of this
secret language was part of
the slang of working class people.
Culture point
Fagin is involved in selling stolen goods. This is known
as fencing. Some items which may be considered
worthless today were incredibly valuable. Pocket
handkerchiefs are one example.
to pitch – to throw
to ill-treat – to treat badly
got nabbed – was / got caught
you were blowed upon – someone
reported you to the police
I have it, the very thing – I know
exactly what to do
Gracious heavens – an exclamation
expressing shock
Culture point
If Dickens had a great deal of
sympathy for the lower classes, he
often viewed those in authority
with a degree of contempt. One
of his favourite targets of ridicule
was the law courts. The opening
scene from chapter seven illustrates
Dickens’ gift for satire. Fang is so
concerned with the procedure of
the court that he is not willing to
listen to reason or even the truth. As
far as he is concerned, an accused boy
(i.e. Oliver) has been brought before
him and he should be punished. He
doesn’t even listen to Oliver properly
and takes his plea, “some water,” as
a name “Sam Waters.” Only when
the bookseller arrives, the truth about
Oliver is revealed. Even then, Fang
tries to have charges pressed against
Brownlow. Fang personifies the type
of person Dickens most despised –
someone who was well-trained at
the expense of their common sense.
Language point
Sykes uses a lot of slang. For
example, he says ‘out of sorts’ which
means distressed or worried. Later
Fagin uses the expression ‘the game
was up’ meaning ‘they had run out of
good luck’.
Glossary
(00:52:40-00:58:55)
(00:58:56-01:07:08)
In English, ‘to be green’ means to
be very naive. The Artful Dodger
makes a joke about Oliver’s naivety
by saying Oliver comes from
guv (short for governor) – Sir / Mister
wanna – want to
to pop in – to visit
lot – a group of people
picking out the marks – removing
the identification tags
trump – valuable card (trumf)
sharper – cleverer
hurt me – hurt my
knuckle – joint in the finger
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
Language points
Glossary
(00:37:53–00:45:16)
CHAPTER 7
warms the cockles – makes you feel
warm and comforted
tumbler – a cup
hard as nails – tough / unfeeling
ingenious – very clever
nourishment – food
slops – food of poor quality
broth – thick soup
I feel strongly disposed to trust you – I tend to trust you
I won’t be long – I won’t take much time
Glossary
suffer such distress on your
account – worry because of
you
braves it out – tries to be brave
bring him to his senses – make him
realize what is the right thing to do
laugh it out – laugh hard
to hand sth over – to give sth to
sb else
avaricious – greedy
that’s for our share of the trouble
and not half enough neither –
We’re taking what we want because
2
of the trouble caused, but it is not
enough.
serve him right – he deserves it
from this night forth – from this
night onwards
to lay odds – to bet
ingratitude – not showing thanks
anxiety – the state of being very
worried
gallows – where they execute people
noose – the special loop made from
rope used to hang people
Culture point
The Old Bailey is the term for
the main criminal court in London.
Language point
Adding “a” in front of a verb like
in a-stealing is an old form for
conjugating a verb, used in traditional
songs or dated language. It simply
means the verb, in this case stealing.
CHAPTER 10
(01:07:09–01:14:47)
Dodger and Fagin try to persuade
Oliver that he will be well-off if
he follows their advice and learns
to steal. Sykes takes Oliver to his
partner-in-crime Toby Crackit.
They want Oliver to help them rob
Mr Brownlow’s house.
Glossary
to assist me in my toilet – to help
me get ready in the morning
the least given to peaching – least
likely to tell the police
witness box – where a witness
stands in court to give his / her
statement
out-and-out – total
to do the genteel – to act like
a gentleman
Glossary
CHAPTER 11
During the robbery Oliver is shot in the arm. While
escaping, Sykes falls into the river and gets sick as
a result. Toby Crackit takes Oliver to Fagin.
CHAPTER 12
Glossary
(01:21:07–01:33:00)
Fagin and Sykes decide that the boy must be killed.
Nancy hears the plan and goes to warn Mr Brownlow,
but he isn’t at home so she just leaves a message to
meet her later. When Nancy cannot meet Mr Brownlow
the next day because Sykes doesn’t let her, she feels
desperate, and Fagin becomes suspicious of her.
(01:33:01–01:40:52)
Fagin asks Dodger to see what
Nancy is up to. She doesn’t know
that Dodger is following her. Nancy
finally meets Mr Brownlow and
informs him where Oliver is. She
speaks only about Fagin and not
physic – medicine
stauncher-hearted – loyal
to undo – to unfasten or untie
will do the trick – will be adequate / help
I’m in the humour to (old fashioned) – I’m in
the mood
lost her senses – was not behaving reasonably
about her boyfriend Sykes. Dodger
tells what he overheard to Sykes
and Fagin. Fagin and the boys
leave the house, going first to
Crackit’s. Sykes gets furious and
goes to kill Nancy.
CHAPTER 14
Crackit tells the boys and Fagin that Nancy’s murder
has been reported in the papers. The article mentions
Fagin. Sykes comes to Crackit’s. Dodger fights with
Sykes and wants to turn him over to the police. A crowd
including the police have followed Sykes.
CHAPTER 15
(01:48:17–02:00:15)
Sykes escapes across the rooftops, taking Oliver
with him. After swinging from one house to
another, Sykes accidentally hangs himself. Oliver
goes back to live with Mr Brownlow. His one
request is to see Fagin who is in prison waiting
to be hung. Fagin is almost mad, but still
remembers Oliver. He hopes the boy will get
him out of prison. As much as Oliver has pity
for Fagin, he realizes there is nothing he can do.
to turn upon sb – to betray sb
to flit – to move quickly and quietly
Culture point
The scene where Nancy meets
Mr Brownlow on the London Bridge
shows the symbolic aspect of this
bridge in Oliver Twist. The meeting
represents the halfway point where
to appal (sb) – to disgust
infamous fence – a criminal well‑known for
selling stolen goods
abduction – kidnapping
in custody – kept in prison while waiting to
go to court for trial
fierce – very aggressive
Glossary
bargaining tool – something to help sb negotiate
to fire – to shoot
grab hold of there – hold something in
a particular place
to take the liberty – to behave without respect
villainy – immoral or cruel behaviour
to butcher – to cut up savagely
to press on – to continue
3
Language point
When Toby Crackit is getting
prepared for the robbery, he equips
himself with various tools for which
he has special terms, also derived
from thieves’ slang, like barkers,
persuaders, keys and darkies.
you’ll drive me on to something
desperate – you’ll force me to act recklessly /
irresponsibly
the dog will tear some of that screaming
voice out – the dog will attack savagely
stark raving mad – very insane
obstinacy – being very stubborn
Glossary
Glossary
(01:40:53–01:48:16)
wake up first, if convenient – wake
up if it suits you (sarcastic)
all in good time – eventually
talk business – discuss an important matter
produce the sustenance – provide some food
crack – robbery
nip – a small amount of alcohol
to strew – to scatter / spread carelessly
bolt – a metal rod to lock a door
do sb in – to kill somebody
to scarce – to go away / disappear
(01:14:48–01:21:06)
CHAPTER 13
he’ll come to be scragged – he’ll
be hung
cove (old fashioned/slang) – a person
he understands the catechism
of his trade – he understands
the rules of his job
wadding – a piece of cloth placed in
an old-fashioned gun to increase
pressure so it will fire
to snooze – to sleep briefly or lightly,
usually during the day
glim – a lamp
two very different worlds come
together – the peaceful world of
Mr Brownlow and the atmosphere
of degradation in which Nancy lives.
Nancy is given the chance to step
over the bridge to the other side, but
she refuses. By leaving the bridge,
the opportunity to cross over to
the better way of life that the others
represent vanishes forever.
you stinking varmint – you smelly animal
(mrcho)
to apprehend – to catch
to give sb up – to surrender sb
I’ll cheat you yet – I’ll defy you
Culture point
Dickens’ time was a period of legal reform when
Britain’s notorious ‘Blood Code’ was reformed.
The ‘Blood Code’ was the term for the 220 offences
that could result in a person being executed, though
it is debated how often they were carried out. In
fact, it is more likely that Fagin was executed for
Dickens’ literary purpose. Public executions still
took place at the time when Oliver Twist is set.
HANDOUTS
Chapter 1
Solutions to all tasks are given at the end of the TF.
II. Read the statements and decide if they are true (T) or false (F).
Pre-watching Discussion
Oliver Twist is one of Dickens’ most famous novels and
the main character, an orphan boy called Oliver Twist, is one
of the best-loved in English literature.
I. Before watching the film, read the article in Bridge
on pages 6 and 7 and try to imagine what the life of
an orphan boy was like in Victorian times.
Chapter 2
1 Oliver Twist has never been
to the workhouse before.
2 Oliver is 9 years old.
3 The men think that Oliver is quite clever.
4 The workhouse will teach Oliver an occupation.
5 The boys are fed well.
T
F










(08:36–10:07)
III. Try to match the synonyms A–H with the underlined words (1–8) in the conversation and correct Mr Gamfield’s grammatical
mistakes which are in italics.
Mr Limbkins: Chimney sweeping is a nasty (1)  trade.
A) contract
Another Board Member: Young boys have been (2)  smothered in
chimneys before now.
B)killed from
Mr Gamfield: That’s because they (3)  damp the straw afore they
lack of oxygen
light it in the chimney to make them come out again. Damp straw
makes smoke. Smoke sends a boy to sleep, and that’s what he wants.
C) fire
F) to love
Boys is very lazy, gentlemen. But there’s nothing like a good hot
(4)  blaze to make them come out in a run. It’s (5)  humane, too.
Yes. Because even if they’ve stuck in the chimney roasting their feet
D) job
G) to remove
makes them struggle to (6)  extricate theirselves. Yes.
E) kind
H) wet
Magistrate: I suppose he’s fond of chimney sweeping?
Mr Bumble: He (7)  dotes on it, Your Worship.
Magistrate: Very well. I will sign the (8)  indentures to make him
Mr Gamfield’s apprentice.
Chapter 3
IV. After watching chapter three, choose the correct answer for the following questions.
1 When did Noah Claypole come to Mr and
Mrs Sowerberry?
A) in the evening
B) at noon
C) in the morning
4 Why did Oliver start fighting with Noah Claypole?
Noah____
A) ate Oliver’s breakfast.
B) called Oliver’s mother names.
C) wanted Oliver’s shoes.
2 What does Charlotte give Noah for breakfast?
A) a bit of bacon
B) nothing
C) a bowl of soup
5 What does Mr Bumble say they have given Oliver
too much of?
A) meat
B) care
C) love
3 What does Mrs Sowerberry say will happen to her
husband for having a thought?
A) He will get flu.
B) He will get brain fever.
C) He will get a headache.
4
Chapter 4
(27:47–29:00)
V. When Oliver reaches London, he meets a boy nicknamed the Artful Dodger. Read the dialogue between Oliver and Dodger
and try to replace the underlined words and phrases (1–9) with their synonyms (A–I).
A)Wow!
B) share (food or money)
C) what are you up to? /
what are you doing?
D)by the way / anyway
E)here
F) food / something to eat
G)place to stay
H)in a bad way / don’t have much
I)legs
Artful Dodger: Hello, my man. And (1)  what’s your game? You’re not from
(2)  these parts? Where you from, then?
Oliver: I’ve been walking. Seven days.
Artful Dodger: Seven days? (3)  Cor. I expect you want (4)  grub? And
you shall have it. I’m (5)  at a low‑water mark myself just at the moment
but I’ll (6)  fork out and stump. Come on, up with you, on your (7)  pins.
Artful Dodger: Oh, (8)  by the by my name is Jack Dawkins, better known
as the Artful Dodger.
Oliver: Oliver Twist. Why are you known as the Artful Dodger?
Artful Dodger: That’s why. Got any (9)  lodgings? Money? I suppose you
want someplace to sleep tonight, don’t you?
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
VI. How much do you remember from chapter
5? Can you choose the correct answers for
the following questions?
(40:00–40:40)
VII. For questions 1–6, fill in the right adjectives from
the box that would best fit. You can check your
answers by watching the scene from chapter 6.
1What is true about Fagin? He ______
A) was an old man.
B) was a young man.
C) didn’t have a leg.
cold
new
common
good
careful
2What was hanging on the line when Oliver met
Fagin?
A) socks
B) handkerchiefs
C) women’s clothes
proper
Nancy: Playing the game, were we, Fagin?
Fagin: As is our custom, my dear.
Betty: He’s (1) ______ . Who’s he?
Fagin: Oh, this is Oliver.
Fagin: Oliver these are our very (2) ______
friends Bet and Nancy.
Nancy: See, Dodger, you wanna learn from him.
He’s got manners, he has. A (3) ______
gentleman.
Betty: We popped in because we were that
(4) ______ inside.
Fagin: As is your custom, my dear. Charley.
Nancy: Come on, Oliver. Join us. Or don’t you sit
with the (5) ______ folk? Now, you wanna
be (6) ______ of this lot, Oliver. They’ll have
you picking…
3What was Oliver’s first food at Fagin’s?
A) chicken
B) sausage
C) apple
4What was in Fagin’s chest (box)?
A) money
B) books
C) jewellery
5What weapon does Fagin use when
threatening Oliver?
A) a knife
B) a gun
C) scissors
5
Chapter 7
VIII. In the first part of chapter seven, there are many words / phrases related to law and crime. Try to match the following
words and phrases that have all appeared in the chapter to their definitions.
1 to be charged with (a crime)
2 to swear sb (in)
3a witness
4 to be committed to
5 hard labor
6robbery
7 to press charges against /
to prosecute (sb)
8 (to be) discharged
A)a punishment forcing the convict to work very hard
B)a person present at the time a crime was committed
C)to be set free
D)to be formally accused by the police of doing something against the law
E)to be sentenced to some kind of punishment
F)to make a formal complaint of wrongdoing against someone in court
G)to have someone promise to tell the truth
H)taking property that does not belong to you
Vocabulary: to accuse − obvinit; to sentence − odsoudit
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
IX. Read the characters’ statements taken from the dialogues in chapter 8
and decide which, if any, article is needed (a, an, the, or nothing).
1 Mr Grimwig: Who is he? What is he? You know nothing of him.
He had ___ fever. What of that?
2 Mr Brownlow: I know there is ___ goodness in him.
3 Mr Grimwig: He’ll deceive you. Let you down at ___ first
opportunity like all your other good and innocent causes.
4 Mr Brownlow: Why did you tell ___ Magistrate your name was
Waters?
5 Mr Brownlow: Wouldn’t you like to be ___ book writer?
6 Oliver Twist: I think it’d be ___ better thing to be ___
bookseller, sir.
7 Mr Brownlow: No, my dear child. You need not be afraid that I am
going to desert you unless you give me ___ cause.
8 Mr Grimwig: Is that ___ boy who had the fever?
9 Mr Brownlow: You shall go, my dear. Ask Mrs Bedwin to show you
___ way.
10Mr Brownlow: Give ___ bookseller this. ___ money I owe him.
X. In the opening scene of chapter
9, Nancy and Bill lie about Oliver
to the women in the street.
After watching the scene, fill in
the correct words.
1 She says Oliver is her little
__________ .
2 She says he ran away from his
__________ .
3 She says Oliver broke the heart
of his __________ .
4 She says Oliver joined a group of
___________ .
5 Bill accuses Oliver of stealing
__________ .
Chapter 10
XI. Read what Nancy and Bill say and try to match the missing parts of sentences in the correct spaces 1–5.
After completing the sentences, can you see the pattern for forming first conditional tenses?
Nancy: If I could help you, (1) __________________. Now
I’ve promised him (2) _________________. If you’re not,
(3) _____________________. And me too.
…
Bill: If you speak a word (4) ______________________
unless I speak to you this loading will go in your head without notice.
…
Nancy: The short and long of what you mean is that if you’re crossed by him,
(5) _____________________
6
A)you’ll only do yourself harm.
B)you’ll prevent him from ever
telling tales after by shooting
him through the head.
C)you’ll be good and silent.
D)when you’re out of the door
with me
E)I would, but I’ve not the power.
Chapter 11
(01:20:19–01:21:07)
XII. After the unsuccessful attempt to rob Mr Brownlow’s house, Toby comes to speak about it to Fagin.
Put the verbs in the correct tense. Also try to spot the grammar mistake in the dialogue.
Toby: The crack (1) ______ (fail).
Fagin: I (2) ______ (smell) that. For the last time of asking, where (3) ______ (be) Bill?
Dodger. Put him to bed, give him a nip of gin.
Toby: The boy (4) ______ (be) about to blow on us, Fagey. He was seen.
Fagin: Seen? He was seen? Who (5) ______ (see) him?
Toby: Two old ones. He shouted out. Bill (6) ______ (lose) his head, fired his pistol.
Fagin: And hit the boy?
Toby: I don’t know. There was two shots. Only one was Bill’s. We (7) ______ (make) a run for it. I had a hold of
the boy, and Bill fell.
Fagin: Fell? Was he hurt?
Toby: No. Last seen, he was swimming to London.
According to the text, try to match the words below with their synonyms.
A)crack
B)nip C)to blow on us
Chapter 14
to report to police
robbery
a small amount of alcohol
(01:42:26–01:43:26)
XIII. When Toby brings The Chronicle with the latest news about the murder of Nancy, Fagin asks him to read the news aloud.
Read the news and try to write the most appropriate word in each gap in the text.
Toby: “More information has reached your correspondent
has learned that the murdered woman had informed on
concerning the foul and bestial murder that
her associate and on an infamous fence, Fagin, who is
(1) _______ place in Spitalfields and which has
now wanted (3) ______ the abduction of a young
shocked and appalled the citizens of London. It is
boy, Oliver Twist. Neither Fagin (4) ______ Sykes
believed that the victim, a young woman now identified
are presently in custody but the police are engaged in
as Nancy was brutally beaten (2) _______ death
searching (5) _______ them throughout the city and
by one William Sykes, a well-known, dangerous villain.
beyond. Sykes, according (6) ________ the police is
The motive is as yet unclear but your correspondent
usually accompanied by a fierce white dog.“
Chapter 14
XIV. Read the short extract from the dialogue between Fagin, Bill and Dodger meeting in the hideaway and try to rewrite
the lines from direct speech to indirect speech.
Fagin: Not safe for you to stop here, Bill.
Bill: If it’s safe for you, it’s safe for me.
Bill: Dodger, let him in quick.
Dodger: Don’t come near me.
…
Fagin told Bill that _______________________________________________________ .
Bill answered that ________________________________________________________ .
Bill ordered Dodger _______________________________________________________ .
Dodger warned Bill _______________________________________________________ .
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Chapter 15
XV. In the final scene, Oliver goes to see Fagin in prison. Watch the scene
and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
T
F
1 Fagin says he is an old man.
2 The warden says that Fagin is getting better every day.
3 Fagin tells Oliver where his box with jewellery is.
4 Oliver wants Fagin to give him the box.
5 Oliver wants Fagin to pray.
6 Fagin wants Oliver to get him out of prison.
7 The last word of Fagin is ‘Oliver’.
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ACTIVITIES AFTER WATCHING THE WHOLE MOVIE
XVI. The names of characters in Oliver Twist often reveal something about their character and their personal qualities.
Read the descriptions of the characters (1–7) and try to match them with their names (A–G).
1 The name, though given to the character by accident, refers to the twists and turns
of fortune that the character will experience. It can also mean the surprise ending of
a story.
2 The name is a light-hearted reference to the character’s chosen profession of breaking
into houses.
3 The name connotes the character’s bumbling arrogance. The character, despite his
impressive sense of his own dignity, continually mangles the king's English he tries to use.
4 The name refers to the character’s superficial grimness / gloominess that can be
removed as easily as fake hair.
5 The name refers to the character who is a “sour / bitter berry” and to the character’s
perpetual scowl.
6 The name can refer to someone who is “sharp”, clever and cannot be fooled by someone.
7 The name suggests the person can move very quickly (especially useful when stealing).
A)Artful Dodger
B)Magistrate Fang
C)Mrs Sowerberry
D)Mr Bumble
E)Mr Grimwig
F)Toby Crackit
G)Oliver Twist
XVII. After watching Oliver Twist, put the events A–J in the order or sequence that they take place in the film.
Oliver is sent to the workhouse.
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A) Oliver has a fight with Noah Claypole.
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B) Mr Brownlow sends Oliver to deliver some books to a bookshop. 
C) Bill Sykes accidentally hangs himself.
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D) Fagin trains Oliver to become a pickpocket.
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E) Oliver is sent to work for Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker.
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F) Nancy meets Mr Brownlow on London Bridge.
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G) Oliver is accused of stealing a handkerchief. 
H) Mr Gamfield, the chimney sweep, offers to take Oliver.
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I) Oliver is on his way to London. 
J) Oliver takes part in a robbery and is shot and wounded.
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Oliver comes to visit Fagin in prison.
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Solutions:
I. Possible answers: Orphans had a very difficult life in
the Victorian era. They had very little money / lived
in poverty. They worked in difficult jobs. Some may
have turned to crime.
II. 1F, 2T, 3F, 4T, 5F
III. 1D, 2B, 3H, 4C, 5E, 6G, 7F, 8A; is − are; theirselves −
themselves
IV. 1C, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5A
V. 1C, 2E, 3A, 4F, 5H, 6B, 7I, 8D, 9G
VI. 1A, 2B, 3B, 4C, 5C
VII. 1 new, 2 good, 3 proper, 4 cold, 5 common, 6 careful
VIII. 1D, 2G, 3B, 4E, 5A, 6H, 7F, 8C
IX. 1 a; 2 −; 3 the; 4 the; 5 a, 6 a, a; 7 −; 8 the; 9 the;
10 the, The
X. 1 brother, 2 parents, 3 mother, 4 thieves / bad
characters, 5 books
XI. 1E, 2C, 3A, 4D, 5B
XII. 1 failed, 2 smelt / smelled (AmE), 3 is, 4 was, 5 saw,
6 lost, 7 made; A) robbery, B) a small amount of
alcohol, C) to report to police; “was” in There was two
shots. Correct: were
XIII. 1 took, 2 to, 3 for, 4 nor, 5 for, 6 to
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XIV. Fagin told Bill (that) it was not safe for him to stop
there.
Bill answered that if it was safe for Fagin, it was
safe for him.
Bill ordered Dodger to let him in quick.
Dodger warned Bill not to come near him.
XV. 1T, 2F, 3T, 4F, 5T, 6T, 7F
XVI. 1G, 2F, 3D, 4E, 5C, 6B, 7A
XVII. 2H, 3E, 4A, 5I, 6D, 7G, 8B, 9J, 10F, 11C