Question

Independent Work – A Christmas Carol (Beginning of the Play)
Directions:
You have already read the beginning of A Christmas Carol.
Use specific events from the play to answer the questions below.

Answer all questions in complete sentences.

Part 1: Understanding What Happened
How does Scrooge treat Bob Cratchit at work?

What is Scrooge’s response when people ask him to donate money to help the poor?

What do these actions show about Scrooge’s personality?

Part 2: Vocabulary Connection
Choose ONE vocabulary word from our list.

In 2–3 sentences:

explain how the word describes Scrooge

use something Scrooge said or did in the play to support your answer

Part 3: Paraphrasing
Rewrite the sentence below in your own words:

Scrooge refuses to help others and only cares about money.

Choose a submission type

Answer 1

Part 1: Understanding What Happened

- Scrooge treats Bob Cratchit harshly and without respect; he pays him very little, keeps him working in a cold, poorly heated office, and scolds him instead of showing any kindness or consideration.
- When people ask him to donate money to help the poor, Scrooge refuses and replies that there are prisons and workhouses for them, even saying that if they would rather die they should do so to “decrease the surplus population.”
- These actions show that Scrooge is miserly, unfeeling, and selfish; he values money above people and lacks compassion for those in need.

Part 2: Vocabulary Connection

Chosen word: miserly.
Miserly describes Scrooge because he hoards his money and refuses to spend or give it away even when others are suffering. For example, when charity collectors ask him for a donation he rejects them and points to prisons and workhouses instead of offering help.

Part 3: Paraphrasing

Scrooge will not help other people and cares only about making and keeping his wealth.

Submission type: Online submission