STAVE THREE VOCABULARY
A Christmas Carol
Vocabulary Building
Find the Right Meaning
In the sentences below, the vocabulary words have been underlined. On the blank, write the letter of the word
that comes closest in meaning to the vocabulary word.
__D__ 1. The main precept guiding Scrooge’s life for many years had been “think only of
yourself.” ---- principle
__C__ 2. Topper made a feint at one of the women, but his real object was catching the plump
sister. deceptive move
__C__ 3. For generous-hearted Fred, it was heresy to wish someone ill at Christmas time.
a disloyal belief
__A__ 4. The plump sister blushed demurely whenever Topper stared admiringly at her.
slightly
__B _ 5. Everyone laughed at Bob Cratchit when he had the credulity to believe that Martha
really had not come. trustfulness
__A__ 6. With great affability, Scrooge’s nephew entertained his guest with many jokes.
good humor
__D___ 7. Fred’s wife angrily declared that Scrooge was a miserly, odious man.
hateful
_ A__ 8. The Spirit’s genial heart infected everyone with cheer and generosity.
Kindly
_B__ 9. Though the house was not capacious, the Cratchits did not seem to mind being crowded
together. big
__A__ 10. The Christmas dinner was never stagnant: Fred kept the mood lively with jokes and
games. dull
Check for Understanding
Stave 3
Deciding True or False
Test your understanding of what you read by deciding if the statements below are true or false. Write T if the
statement is true. F if it is false. Afterwards, go back and rewrite each false statement to make it true.
1. The Ghost of Christmas Present is best described as a cold, sinister phantom.
FALSE – The Ghost of Christmas Present is best described as a kind, gentle-spirited giant
with curly brown hair (changes to gray as midnight approaches), a holly wreath upon his
head, a bright green robe with white fur trim, and a huge torch full of water that he
sprinkles upon humans to spread blessing and Christmas cheer throughout the land.
2. The spirit defends the closing of shops on Sunday, saying it is done in the name of God.
FALSE – The spirit says there are people who say that they do things in God’s name yet
don’t know Him.
3. Despite their meager meal, the Cratchits are quite merry because they are together.
TRUE
4. The spirit warns that Tiny Tim must die and cannot be saved by any human effort.
FALSE – The spirit warns that if there is no change in his future Tiny Tim will die, with
the implication that something could change but it has to be a change made by man.
5. Scrooge sees that even in the most dismal and remote places, Christmas is being
observed.
TRUE
6. Fred, Scrooge’s nephew says he cannot feel sorry for Scrooge because the miser is
getting what he deserves.
FALSE – Fred says that he cannot feel bad, hardened against Scrooge because Scrooge
only hurts himself by his poor choices; but he also hopes that Scrooge will change his ways
which is why the nephew is kind and charitable in his visits to Scrooge.
7. Both the Cratchits’ and Fred’s guests toast Scrooge.
TRUE
8. As Scrooge watches the Cratchits’ dinner and Fred’s party, he grows increasingly angry
and resentful.
FALSE – Scrooge feels as if he wants to join the parties, play the games, learn the songs,
and share in their good cheer and kindness.
9. The spirit says that, like Christmas, he returns every year and never grows old.
FALSE – The Spirit grows old throughout Christmas Day and vanishes as the bell tolls
midnight.
10.The ghost reveals that he has two children hiding beneath his robes who are Ignorance
and Want.
TRUE, the spirit especially warns Scrooge of the boy (Ignorance) and says that upon his
brow is “doom.” In other words, Scrooge and mankind should be aware of Ignorance and
try to know the truth in order to avoid being doomed.
STAVE FOUR & FIVE
A Christmas Carol
Check for Understanding
Stave 4 – 5
Choosing the Best Response
1. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is
b. dark, mysterious, and mute
2. Scrooge overhears some businessmen callously discussing
c.the death of an acquaintance
3. The charwoman, laundress, and undertaker’s assistant all bring Joe
a. goods from the dead man’s house
4. When the spirit transports Scrooge to the dark chamber. Scrooge is unable to
c.lift the covers over a corpse’s face
5. The news of the man’s death relieves a young family because
c.they are no longer in danger of being driven into bankruptcy
6. The Cratchits are grieving because
c.Tiny Tim has died
7. When Scrooge asks who the dead man was, the ghost
a. shows a tombstone with Scrooge’s name on it
8. After returning from his journey with the last spirit, Scrooge buys a huge turkey to
b.send to the Cratchits’
9. Scrooge visits his nephew’s house to
b.Have Christmas dinner with them
10.Scrooge further proves his kindness by doing all but which of the following things:
a. marrying the widowed Belle