The ghosts: Dickens' use of allusion | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which of the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' resembles the Victorian depiction of Father Christmas?

• Marley's ghost

• The Ghost of Christmas Past

• The Ghost of Christmas Present

• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Answer explanation

The Ghost of Christmas Present resembles the Victorian Father Christmas, who was often depicted wearing green rather than the red we associate with him today.

Which of the ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' wears a white tunic and has a clear, bright jet of light emanating from its head?

• Marley's ghost

• The Ghost of Christmas Past

• The Ghost of Christmas Present

• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Answer explanation

The Ghost of Christmas Past wears a white tunic and has a clear, bright jet of light emanating from its head.

Which of the four ghosts in 'A Christmas Carol' tells Scrooge that they "wear the chains [they] forged in life"?

• Marley's Ghost

• The Ghost of Christmas Past

• The Ghost of Christmas Present

• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Answer explanation

Marley's Ghost tells Scrooge that "he wears the chains [he] forged in life".

Here is a sentence that uses the word 'depict'. Father Christmas is commonly depicted wearing a plush red tunic with fur trimming and a black belt. What might 'to depict' mean?

• created/made

• rumoured/alleged

• shown/represented

• directed/instructed

• told/informed

Answer explanation

'To depict' means to show or represent something in a certain way.

When Scrooge sees The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come approaching in Stave 4 of 'A Christmas Carol', it is described as moving 'like a mist along the ground'. What is the effect of Dickens' simile ?

• it reflects Scrooge's newfound joy and merriment.

• It suggests that the ghost is inescapable - it is everywhere.

• It shows that the ghost moves slowly to reflect the way time moves in the text.

• It characterises the ghost as mysterious and frightening.

• The ghost reflects Scrooge's mood: dark and cruel.

Answer explanation

Dickens' use of the simile 'like mist along the ground' suggests that the ghost is inescapable - it is everywhere. It also characterises the ghost as mysterious and frightening, thus creating tension.

Match the quotation up to the ghost whose speech or action it is in 'A Christmas Carol'.

• The Ghost of Christmas Present

• "Would you so soon put out... the light I give?"

• Marley's Ghost

• "You are more worthless and less fit to live than millions."

• Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

• "I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere."

• The Ghost of Christmas Past

• "The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand."

Answer explanation

These are all the actions or speech of the four ghosts.