Name__________________________
Period___________
A Christmas Carol
Vocabulary Practice
misanthrope
miser
covetous
forbearance
benevolence
stingy
altered
destitute
odious
ponderous
specter
apparition
Part 1-The following six words will be used throughout the story. Look carefully at
the word and its definition. With a partner, say the words aloud, and sort the words
into positive and negative categories.
benevolence-kind; compassionate; giving
covetous-greedy
forbearance-patience
misanthrope-a hater of mankind
miser-someone who is very cheap
stingy-not generous
Positive
Negative
Which words are ANTONYMS? ____________ ______________
Look at the list of negative words. If they described a character in a story, what would
you say that character cares most about? _____________
Part 2-Context Clues-Read the following quotations below. Using context clues,
pick the answer that is the best definition for the underlined word.
1. “In a changed nature: in an altered spirit. In everything that made my love of any
worth or value in your sight.”
a. changed
b. invisible
c. evil
2. “…it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the
poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.”
a. those living with disease
b. those living in isolation
c. those living without money
3. “It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have labored
on it, since. It is a ponderous chain.”
a. shiny
b. heavy
c. light
4. “It should be Christmas Day, I am sure, on which one drinks to the health of such an
odious, stingy, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge…”
a. hateful
b. funny
c. smelly
Part 3-The vocabulary words apparition and specter mean ghost. Specter has the
ROOT spec-meaning look. Examine the following list of words that also contain the root
spec.
retrospective-a look from the past
specimen-a sample to look at
spectacle-a showy scene that you look at
speculation-an analysis based on an observation
In the space below, create your own customized apparition. Your specter should wear
retrospective clothing. Make sure your ghost is a spectacle.
Name__________________________
Period___________
KEY KEY A Christmas Carol KEY KEY
Vocabulary Practice
misanthrope
miser
covetous
forbearance
benevolence
stingy
altered
destitute
odious
ponderous
specter
apparition
Part 1-The following six words will be used throughout the story. Look carefully at
the word and its definition. With a partner, say the words aloud, and sort the words
into positive and negative categories.
benevolence-kind; compassionate; giving
covetous-greedy
forbearance-patience
misanthrope-a hater of mankind
miser-someone who is very cheap
stingy-not generous
Positive
Benevolence
Forbearance
Negative
Covetous
Misanthrope
Miser
Stingy
Which words are ANTONYMS? __covetous___ _____stingy____
Look at the list of negative words. If they described a character in a story, what would
you say that character cares most about? __money____
Part 2-Context Clues-Read the following quotations below. Using context clues,
pick the answer that is the best definition for the underlined word.
1. “In a changed nature: in an altered spirit. In everything that made my love of any
worth or value in your sight.”
a. changed
b. invisible
c. evil
2. “…it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the
poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.”
a. those living with disease
b. those living in isolation
c. those living without money
3. “It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have labored
on it, since. It is a ponderous chain.”
a. shiny
b. heavy
c. light
4. “It should be Christmas Day, I am sure, on which one drinks to the health of such an
odious, stingy, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge…”
a. hateful
b. funny
c. smelly
Part 3-The vocabulary words apparition and specter mean ghost. Specter has the
ROOT spec-meaning look. Examine the following list of words that also contain the root
spec.
retrospective-a look from the past
specimen-a sample to look at
spectacle-a showy scene that you look at
speculation-an analysis based on an observation
In the space below, create your own customized apparition. Your specter should wear
retrospective clothing. Make sure your ghost is a spectacle.
ANSWERS AND DRAWINGS WILL VARY