Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
A Christmas Carol Chapter 1
Marley’s Ghost (Part 6)
Hi! Welcome to the World Literature Discussion lesson!
Today’s topic is about “A Christmas Carol”
Have fun learning English!
Activity 1 | Vocabulary and Expressions
Directions: Listen and repeat.

astonishment [əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt] (noun) – a feeling of very great surprise
They stared in astonishment at the beautiful woman on the catwalk.

dread [dred] (noun) – a feeling of great fear about something that might or will happen in the
future
I don’t know why, but I’ve been having a feeling of dread all day.

clanking [klæŋk ɪŋ] (noun) – a loud sound like pieces of metal hitting each other
Hitting the anvil with a hammer made a clanking noise.

cask [kæsk] (noun) – a small wooden barrel used for storing liquids, especially alcoholic drinks
My grandfather keeps the wine casks in the basement.

caustic [ˈkɔːstɪk] (adjective) – critical in a bitter or sarcastic way
His caustic political comments were appreciated by the audience.
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Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
Activity 2 | Reading
Directions: Read the following passage aloud.
As he threw his head back in the chair, his glance happened to rest upon a bell, a disused bell, that hung
in the room, and communicated, for some purpose now forgotten, with a chamber in the highest story of
the building. It was with great astonishment, and with a strange, inexplicable dread, that, as he looked,
he saw this bell begin to swing. Soon it rang out loudly, and so did every bell in the house.
This was followed by a clanking noise, deep down below, as if some person were dragging a heavy chain
over the casks in the wine-merchant's cellar.
Then he heard the noise much louder, on the floors below; then coming up the stairs; then coming
straight towards his door.
It came on through the heavy door, and a specter passed into the room before his eyes. And upon its
coming in, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, "I know him! Marley's ghost!"
The same face, the very same. Marley in his usual waistcoat, tights, and boots.
His body was
transparent; so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking through his waistcoat, could see the two
buttons on his coat behind.
Though he looked the phantom through and through, and saw it standing before him, he was still
incredulous.
"How now!" said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. "What do you want with me?"
"Much!" -- Marley's voice, no doubt about it.
"Who are you?"
"Ask me who I was."
"Who were you then?"
"In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley."
"Can you -- can you sit down?"
"I can."
"Do it, then."
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Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
Activity 3 | Reading Comprehension
Directions: Please answer these questions about the text.
1. What object did Scrooge see after he sat down in his chair?
2. What did Scrooge feel when he saw the bell ringing?
3. What could the clanking noise be compared with?
4. Who entered the room?
5. What did Scrooge ask Marley’s ghost to do?
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Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
Activity 4 | Vocabulary Exercise
Directions: Determine which of the following definitions is the correct one for the words given.
1. Purpose:
a) a soft feeling
b) anger
c) an intention or an aim
2. Cellar:
a) a house made up of more than five rooms
b) an underground room often used for storing things
c) a round room
3. Incredulous:
a) not willing or able to believe
b) not having enough money
c) not beautiful at all
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Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
Activity 5 | True of False
Directions: Please determine if the following statements about the text are true or false.
1. Scrooge was talking to his clerk when he heard noises in the house.
2. Scrooge could hear a clanking sound.
3. Marley’s ghost was dressed as Marley always was.
4. Scrooge couldn’t speak when he saw the ghost.
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Literature ⅼ A Christmas Carol Lesson 06
LEVEL 10
Activity 6 | Free Conversation
Directions: Have a free conversation with your teacher starting from the following questions.
1. Do you think that Marley’s ghost is real, or is everything happening in Scrooge’s imagination?
Why?
2. Do you think that Scrooge believes in ghosts? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that Scrooge is terrified by this encounter? Why or why not?
4. What do you think Scrooge and Marley’s ghost will talk about?
5. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
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