Starter quiz
- Put the key events from the build-up of the story 'A Christmas Carol' in the correct order.
- 1⇔The Ghost of Jacob Marley visited Scrooge.
- 2⇔Marley warned Scrooge of the consequences of his selfish and cruel ways.
- 3⇔Marley informed Scrooge that he would be visited by three ghosts.
- 4⇔Marley vanished and Scrooge felt scared of what was to come.
- Which part of a narrative follows the build-up?
- opening
- climax ✓
- resolution
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- What are the names of the three ghosts that visit Scrooge after Marley?
- the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Future) ✓
- the Ghost of Christmas Yesterday
- the Ghost of Christmas Present ✓
- the Ghost of Christmas Past ✓
- the Ghost of Christmas Tomorrow
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- What does an expanded noun phrase often consist of?
- two adjectives listed to describe a verb
- one adjective used to describe a noun
- two adjectives listed to describe a noun ✓
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- What type of word is used to describe a verb?
- a noun
- an adjective
- an adverb ✓
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- What is a paragraph?
- visual elements that accompany a text
- a section of writing that groups together related sentences or ideas ✓
- a conversation written between two or more people in a narrative
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Exit quiz
- What is the purpose of the climax?
- to set the scene and introduce the main characters
- to create an atmosphere that gradually builds suspense
- to describe the main action and take the suspense to its highest point ✓
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- To show the chronology of events, put these key events from when Scrooge receives his visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future in the climax of the story in the correct order.
- 1⇔The Ghost of Christmas Future arrives and shows Scrooge visions of the future.
- 2⇔Scrooge witnesses his own lonely demise, unloved and unmourned.
- 3⇔Scrooge is shown the current fate of the impoverished Cratchit family.
- 4⇔Scrooge feels the weight of what the future holds if he does not change.
- What does 'ominous' mean?
- being or showing a sign of misfortune to come ✓
- being or showing a sign of fortune to come
- being or showing a sign of no change
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- Which of the following phrases create an ominous atmosphere?
- watched the future visions calmly while feeling relaxed
- peaceful rows of well-kept gravestones with blossoming flowers
- isolated, weathered grave, which lay unvisited and forgotten ✓
- felt a knot develop in his stomach as his feelings of guilt grew ✓
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- What does 'fraught' mean?
- affected by positive circumstances
- affected by anxiety and stress ✓
- affected by the weather
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- Which of the following convey Scrooge's fraught emotions?
- "I am not worried by what you have shown me," Scrooge said in an unmoved manner.
- Scrooge panicked over what would happen if he did not alter his ways. ✓
- "Please, tell me what I should do to stop this!" Scrooge pleaded desperately. ✓
- Scrooge reflected on his past and felt there was no point in having regrets.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The purpose of the climax is to describe the main action and take the suspense to its highest point.
- The climax of ‘A Christmas Carol’ describes Scrooge’s encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Future).
- Scrooge feels great regret and sorrow upon seeing the future visions and realises he must change his ways.
- Precise and descriptive vocabulary, including 'show and tell' is used to convey an ominous atmosphere.
- Direct speech and Scrooge’s inner thoughts are used to convey Scrooge’s fraught emotions.
Common misconception
Children may find it difficult to understand some of the vocabulary modelled (e.g. indifference) and they may struggle to generate their own vocabulary ideas to convey an ominous atmosphere.
Model the use of a thesaurus to up level simple pieces of vocabulary. For example, instead of 'lonely', children might use 'isolated' or 'deserted'.
Keywords
Climax - the point in the narrative that describes the main action and takes the suspense to its highest point
Suspense - a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
Ominous - an adjective used to describe something showing a sign of misfortune to come
Fraught - an adjective used to describe something that causes anxiety and stress
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