Christmas Carol Quiz Staves 1-3 Question 1 Two similes used to describe Scrooge at the start of the novella? Question 2 What does “covetous” mean? Question 3 Who visits Scrooge first: the portly gentleman or Fred? Question 4 How are Bob Cratchit’s working conditions described? Question 5 How would you explain Scrooge’s use of “humbug” in an exam? Question 6 What year was the novella written and published? Question 7 What is Scrooge’s sister’s name? Question 8 What does Scrooge’s fiancé imply has replaced her in his affections? Question 9 Who does Scrooge mourn at the end of Stave Two? Question 10 What does the Ghost of Christmas Present wear on his belt? Bonus Question: What does it symbolise? Question 11 What does Fred say about Scrooge and his wealth at his Christmas party? Question 12 Where did Dickens work as a child? Question 13 What does Scrooge say about the poor to the portly gentleman? Question 14 What are the four themes of the novella? Question 15 How long has Marley been dead? Question 16 What do the Cratchit family wear to celebrate Christmas? Question 17 What is a stave? Question 18 What were the 1840s known as due to widespread poverty? Question 19 What does Bob say about Tiny Tim’s behaviour in church? Question 20 Which is worse: Ignorance or Want? Answers 1. What two similes have I asked you to memorise to describe Scrooge at the start of the novella? “Solitary as an oyster”, “hard and sharp as flint” 2. What does “covetous” mean? Envious of other people’s possessions 3. Who visits Scrooge first: the portly gentleman or Fred? The portly gentleman Answers 4. How are Bob Cratchit’s working conditions described? “dismal, little cell” 5. How would you explain Scrooge’s use of “humbug” in an exam? It’s a cynical remark 6. What year was the novella written and published? 1843 7. What is Scrooge’s sister’s name? Little Fan Answers 8. What does Scrooge’s fiancé imply has replaced her in his affections? “A golden idol” (money) 9. Who does Scrooge mourn at the end of Stave Two? Marley 10. What does the Ghost of Christmas Present wear on his belt? “An antique scabbard; but no sword was in it” Bonus Question: What does it symbolise? peace Answers 11. What does Fred say about Scrooge and his wealth at his Christmas party? “His wealth is of no use to him. He don’t do any good with it” 12. Where did Dickens work as a child? A blacking factory 13. What does Scrooge say about the poor to the portly gentleman? “Decrease the surplus population” 14. What are the four themes of the novella? Redemption The Supernatural Christmas Spirit Wealth/poverty – social responsibility Answers 15. How long has Marley been dead? 7 years 16. What do the Cratchit family wear to celebrate Christmas? Ribbons 17. What is a stave? A set of 5 lines on which a piece of music is written 18. What were the 1840s known as due to widespread poverty? The Hungry Forties Answers 19. What does Bob say about Tiny Tim’s behaviour in church? “Good as gold” 20. Which is worse: Ignorance or Want? Ignorance MARK OUT OF 24
