A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens (simplified version)

Ebenezer Scrooge was an old money lender in London. He was rich, but he was a very greedy, stingy and selfish man. He wasn't friendly to people and he didn't help anyone. His only friend and partner, Jacob Marley, died many years ago. His clerk, Bob Cratchit had to work in a cold room because Scrooge didn't want to spend money on coal to heat the room. At Christmas Scrooge ́s nephew Fred came to invite him to Christmas dinner at his home and to wish a “Merry Christmas”, but Scrooge only answered angrily “Bah, humbug.” On Christmas Eve, Scrooge was sitting alone in his cold living room at home. Suddenly the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley appeared. He said to Scrooge, “Change your life! You must become a better man. You must be kind to people, you must laugh with them. Three ghosts will visit you this night.” Scrooge was terribly afraid. Then he went to bed.

And while Scrooge was sleeping in his bed, the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared. He took Ebenezer Scrooge back to the happy days when he had been a friendly young man. He saw himself celebrating Christmas with other people. He looked so happy. He also saw all the terrible things he had done when he was older. Next the Ghost of Christmas Present appeared. Now the room was decorated with holly, ivy and mistletoe and looked so nice. There was a table full of sausages, Christmas puddings, apples and pears, oranges and cakes.

Multiple Choice

Answer the questions.

Where did Scrooge live?

• In Oxford

• In London

• In Manchester

• In Dublin

Multiple Choice

What kind of man was Scrooge?

• He was an old, rich, generous, stingy, and selfish man.

• He was an old, rich, greedy, kind, and selfish man.

• He was an old, rich, greedy, stingy, and wonderful man.

• He was an old, rich, greedy, stingy, and selfish man.

Multiple Choice

Who was Fred?

• He was Scrooge's nephew.

• He was Scrooge's cousin.

• He was Scrooge's brother.

• He was Scrooge's father.

Multiple Choice

What was Scrooge doing on Christmas eve?

• He was sitting alone in his cold kitchen.

• He was sitting alone in his cold bedroom.

• He was sitting alone in his cold living room.

• He was sitting alone in his cold garden.

Multiple Choice

Scrooge wasn't rich.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

He didn't like to spend money.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Jacob Marley was Scrooge's friend.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Scrooge went to Fred to have dinner.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Scrooge didn't like Christmas.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Marley's ghost told Scrooge not to change his life.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Scrooge wasn't afraid of ghosts.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

How was Scrooge as a young boy?

• unhappy

• friendly

• impolite

Multiple Choice

What did the Ghost of Christmas Past show scrooge?

• Scrooge having a happy Christmas.

• Scrooge buying presents.

• Scrooge giving money to the poor.

Multiple Choice

What ghost appeared next?

• Ghost of Christmas Carols

• Ghost of Christmas Presents

• Ghost of Christmas Present

Multiple Choice

What was on the table?

• Turkey, cakes and oranges.

• Apples, pears and oranges.

• Christmas puddings and steak.

The Ghost of Christmas Present took Scrooge to a poor but clean room. It was the home of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family. Bob, his wife and his two children sat at the table. There wasn't much food on it, but they all said it was the most wonderful Christmas dinner. Although they were poor, they were happy and loved each other so much. They saw Scrooge and invited him to sit down and have Christmas dinner with them. Scrooge was very ashamed. And there was also Tiny Tim. Bob's little boy was handicapped and they had no money for a doctor. “Look!” the ghost told Scrooge, “The boy will die if they don't get money for a doctor.” “Please, take me away!” Scrooge said to the ghost.

The third ghost was the Ghost of Christmas Future. He went with Scrooge to a graveyard and showed him a neglected grave. There was Scrooge ́s name on the tombstone. “Oh Ghost,” Scrooge shouted, “I will change my life. I will be friendly and generous.” Then the ghost disappeared. When Scrooge awoke the next morning he remembered the three ghosts and he also remembered what he had seen. It was Christmas morning. He thought “What a wonderful morning!” then he jumped out of bed and he smiled! He dressed quickly, went out into the street, was very friendly, gave money to beggars and wished everyone “A Merry Christmas!”. He bought very delicious food and many presents and carried them to Bob Cratchit ́s house. He gave them the food and the presents and felt very happy. He had never been happier in his life. Then he went to his nephew Fred to celebrate Christmas with him. The ghosts had changed all in only one night. Ebenezer Scrooge had learned his lesson for the rest of his life and he loved his new life.

Multiple Choice

The Ghost of Christmas Present took him to the past.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Bob Cratchit was Scrooge´s clerk.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Bob had three kids.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The boy’s name was Tiny Tom.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The Cratchit family sat around a table having X-mas dinner.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Scrooge was invited to have X-mas dinner with them.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The little boy was handicapped and needed medical care.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Where did the Ghost of Christmas Future take Scrooge to?

• To the church

• To the graveyard

• To the shop

• To the town

Multiple Choice

What did Scrooge promise?

• To change his mind.

• To change his friend.

• To change his partner.

• To change his life.

Multiple Choice

What did Scrooge remember on Christmas morning?

• The three ghosts.

• The four ghosts.

• The one ghost.

• The two ghosts.

Multiple Choice

What did Scrooge do in the street?

• He gave money to beggars and wished everyone 'A Happy Christmas'.

• He gave money to beggars and wished everyone 'A Wonderful Christmas'.

• He gave money to beggars and wished everyone 'A Merry Christmas'.

• He gave money to beggars and wished everyone 'A Magical Christmas'.

Multiple Choice

What did he buy for Bob Cratchit?

• food and presents

• food and drink

• tree and presents

• nothing

Multiple Choice

Match the sentence halves!

The third ghost went with Scrooge to a

• for the rest of his life.

• and carried it to Bob´s house.

• Christmas with Fred.

• graveyard and showed him a neglected grave.

• I will be friendly and generous.

Multiple Choice

Match the sentence halves!

I will change my life and

• for the rest of his life.

• and carried it to Bob´s house.

• Christmas with Fred.

• graveyard and showed him a neglected grave.

• I will be friendly and generous.

Multiple Choice

Match the sentence halves!

He bought very delicious food

• for the rest of his life.

• and carried it to Bob´s house.

• Christmas with Fred.

• graveyard and showed him a neglected grave.

• I will be friendly and generous.

Multiple Choice

Match the sentence halves!

Scrooge celebrated

• for the rest of his life.

• and carried it to Bob´s house.

• Christmas with Fred.

• graveyard and showed him a neglected grave.

• I will be friendly and generous.

Multiple Choice

Match the sentence halves!

Ebenezer Scrooge had learned his lesson

• for the rest of his life.

• and carried it to Bob´s house.

• Christmas with Fred.

• graveyard and showed him a neglected grave.

• I will be friendly and generous.