Worksheet: Background to A Tale of Two Cities 1

Charles Dickens’ first historical novel A Tale of Two Cities (1859) deals with the French Revolution
(1789-1799). You will watch a short information video explaining the origins of the French
Revolution.

Read the following questions:

1. When and where did the French Revolution take place?

2. What caused or prompted this revolution?

3. What were the key events during the French Revolution?

4. Who fought during the French Revolution?

NOW WATCH THE VIDEO TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

©Elisa Jimenez Lazcano. Macmillan Iberia. Teacher’s Corner.

This page can be photocopied for use in class.
Worksheet: Background to A Tale of Two Cities 2

The French Revolution

You will read an extract from the novel A Tale of Two Cities describing the events that took place during the
attack on the Bastille (The Prison in Paris) on 14th July, 1789 and it represents a turning point in the novel. The
event marked the beginning of the French Revolution. See the Map of Paris in 1789 and the picture of The
Bastille to help you understand the text.

Paris, 1789. Map by William R

Shepherd. Public Domain. The
dark line shows the march of
the revolutionaries towards the
Bastille to release the prisoners.

The Storming of the Bastille. Painting by

Jean-Pierre Houël, 1789. Public Domain.

©Elisa Jimenez Lazcano. Macmillan Iberia. Teacher’s Corner.

This page can be photocopied for use in class.