Starter quiz
- Who visits Scrooge in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
- Marley's Ghost ✓
- The Ghost of Christmas Past
- The Ghost of Christmas Present
-
- Match the correct stave to the ghost who visits Scrooge in that stave of 'A Christmas Carol'.
- stave 1⇔Marley's ghost ✓
- stave 2⇔The Ghost of Christmas Past ✓
- stave 3⇔The Ghost of Christmas Present ✓
- stave 4⇔The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come ✓
- What is the weather like in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- warm and sunny
- mild and clear
- cold and foggy ✓
- thunder and lightning
- hot and humid
-
- What announces the entrance of Marley's Ghost in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- the ringing of bells ✓
- the curtains parting
- a supernatural voice from above
- a dog barking
- a door creaking
-
- Which of the following statements is true of Fezziwig's party in stave 2 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- Lots of people were too tired to dance after a long day's work.
- The guest list was very exclusive.
- Two fiddlers played jolly music for the guests.
- There was lots of dancing and festive cheer. ✓
- Everybody was invited to the party. ✓
-
- What is symbolism?
- Using two or more words that all begin with the same letter.
- Using elements from the beginning of a text again at the end.
- Comparing two things that are the not the same using 'like' or 'as'.
- Using an object or 'thing' to represent an abstract idea or concept. ✓
- Using words that sound like the sounds they make, e.g. boom.
-
Exit quiz
- What method does Dickens use in this quotation from 'A Christmas Carol': "…whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge"?
- alliteration
- onomatopoeia
- personification ✓
- simile
- mirroring
-
- What does the fog in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol' symbolise?
- Scrooge's wealth
- Scrooge's generosity
- Scrooge's ignorance ✓
- Scrooge's cold-hearted nature
- Scrooge's doubt
-
- Which of the following definitions means 'to redeem'?
- To use an object or image to represent an idea.
- To regain someone's respect and support. ✓
- To drastically change.
- To discover a new sense of moral responsibility.
- To be together with others.
-
- What do bells represent in 'A Christmas Carol'?
- poverty and suffering
- hope and light
- judgement and moral awakening ✓
- ignorance and want
- Christmas and goodwill
-
- What is the significance of the novella's name: 'A Christmas Carol'?
- Carols are widely-known, so Dickens hoped he would become famous.
- Carols are sung far and wide, Dickens hoped his message would be passed around. ✓
- Carols bring cheer and joy to people, so Dickens hoped to make people happy.
- Carols unite people, so Dickens aimed to unite society through the novella. ✓
-
- Why did Scrooge intimidate the caroller boy in stave 1 of 'A Christmas Carol'?
- Scrooge cannot stand children, so he therefore hates the caroller boy.
- Music symbolises equality and unity. In rejecting the boy Scrooge rejects unity. ✓
- Music symbolises poverty. Scrooge scares the boy because he hates poor people.
- Scrooge cannot stand singing because it reminds him of his childhood.
- Scrooge though the boy was a poor singer and so rejects his carol.
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Dickens uses the weather throughout the text to symbolise Scrooge’s redemption.
- The fog in Stave 1 symbolises Scrooge’s wilful ignorance to the suffering of others.
- Dickens uses bells in the novella to symbolise judgement and as a call to moral awakening.
- Dickens uses music throughout the novella to symbolise unity and equality .
- The novella’s title is symbolic of Dickens’ hope for his message to be passed down from generation to generation.
Common misconception
Students think the novella's title was chosen simply to reflect the festive period it covers.
The title is more symbolic of Dickens' intentions - he intended for the message from this text to be spread far and wide, much like a carol.
Keywords
Symbolism - Symbolism is where the writer uses an object or image to represent an idea.
To redeem - If someone redeems themself, they regain your respect and support.
Transformed - If someone is transformed, they have drastically changed (usually for the better).
Moral awakening - A moral awakening is the discovery of a new sense of moral responsibility.
Unity - Unity is the state of being together.
+