While reading will be done in class, the comprehension questions (below) will often be assigned as homework. No more than 10 questions per night, the questions will be adjusted in class, allowing for some changes in the abridged text. For our purposes, a “stave” is the same as a chapter. If you would prefer that your student reads the unabridged version, or would be helped by the one with pictures, both are available on MyOn.
Reading Questions
A Christmas Carol
Stave 1: Marley’s Ghost
1. What important fact “must be distinctly understood?” Why is this fact so
important?
2. Describe Scrooge in your own words? What metaphor does Dickens use to
emphasize how mean he is?
3. Who visits Scrooge in his counting house, and to what purpose (all visitors)?
4. How does Scrooge react to these visitors?
5. What particularly appalling thing does Scrooge say to the portly gentlemen?
6. Describe the ghostly happenings that lead to Marley’s appearance.
7. Why is Marley visiting Scrooge?
8. What is Marley wearing, and why is he wearing it?
9. What is Marley’s (and the other spirits’) punishments for their wicked lives?
10. How can Scrooge be saved?
Stave 2: The First of the Three Spirits
1. In your own words, describe the Ghost of Christmas Past.
2. Where is the first place that Scrooge and the Ghost visit?
3. Describe Scrooge’s reaction upon arriving at this place.
4. Describe Scrooge’s childhood.
5. Who is Fan, and why is she important to Scrooge?
6. Who is Fezziwig, and why is he important to Scrooge?
7. Why does Belle end her engagement to Scrooge?
8. Describe the final scene Scrooge witnesses and explain what about this scene
upsets him so much.
Stave Three: The Second of the Three Spirits
1. Describe the scene in which Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present.
2. Describe this Spirit’s appearance.
3. How does the Ghost of Christmas Present transport Scrooge?
4. What scene is being described on pages 46-47?
5. Describe the Crachit family – both in appearance and personality.
6. What do the Crachits eat for Christmas dinner?
7. What future does the Spirit predict for Tiny Tim?
8. What is Scrooge ashamed of as he watches Tiny Tim and Bob?
9. What are Fred and his wife laughing about as Scrooge watches them?
10. Describe Scrooge’s reaction to Fred’s party.
11. What does the Spirit have beneath his robes?
Stave Four: The Last of the Spirits
1. What other ghostly creature does the third spirit resemble?
2. How has Scrooge’s attitude towards the Spirits changed from his encounter
with Jacob Marley to the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?
3. What are the men at the Exchange discussing?
4. What items are the people in the shop sorting?
5. How has the Crachit family changed since Scrooge last saw them?
6. What does the Spirit finally reveal to Scrooge?
Stave Five: The End of It
1. What does Scrooge ask the young boy to do for him?
2. To whom does Scrooge send the turkey?
3. Describe Bob’s arrival at work on December 26th.
