Question

STEP 1: Identify the Theme
Based on the excerpt of “A Christmas Carol”, what do you think is one possible theme of
A Christmas Carol?
Theme (complete sentence):
STEP 2: Analyze Scrooge Using STEAL
S – Speech
1. What does Scrooge say in the excerpt that reveals his attitude toward other people?
2. What do his words suggest about his values or beliefs?
T – Thoughts
3. What do Scrooge’s thoughts reveal about how he views money, kindness, or
responsibility?
4. How do his thoughts connect to the theme you identified?
E – Effort
5. How much effort does Scrooge make to help others at this point in the story?
6. What does his level of effort show about what he needs to learn?
A – Actions
7. Describe two actions Scrooge takes in the excerpt.
Action 1:
Action 2:
8. How do these actions help develop the theme?
L – Looks
9. How is Scrooge described physically or emotionally in the excerpt?
10. How does his appearance or the way others react to him help reveal the theme?
STEP 3: Connecting Character to Theme
11. Using evidence from at least TWO parts of STEAL, explain how Scrooge helps
develop the theme of the story.
STEP 4: Reflection
12. What lesson do you think Scrooge needs to learn by the end of the story? Explain
your thinking.

answer these in short words and 7th grade words

Answer 1

STEP 1: Identify the Theme
Theme (complete sentence):
People who are greedy and mean can change if they learn to care for others.

STEP 2: Analyze Scrooge Using STEAL
S – Speech
1. What does Scrooge say in the excerpt that reveals his attitude toward other people?
He says “Bah! Humbug!” and refuses to give money to charity.

2. What do his words suggest about his values or beliefs?
He values money and work more than people or kindness.

T – Thoughts
3. What do Scrooge’s thoughts reveal about how he views money, kindness, or responsibility?
He thinks money is most important, kindness is wasted, and his main duty is to himself and business.

4. How do his thoughts connect to the theme you identified?
His greedy thoughts show why he needs to change and learn to care for others.

E – Effort
5. How much effort does Scrooge make to help others at this point in the story?
Almost no effort. He refuses help and shows no pity.

6. What does his level of effort show about what he needs to learn?
He needs to learn to be generous and helpful.

A – Actions
7. Describe two actions Scrooge takes in the excerpt.
Action 1: He turns away the charity collectors.
Action 2: He treats his clerk, Bob Cratchit, unfairly (short hours, low pay, cold office).

8. How do these actions help develop the theme?
They show his meanness and isolation, which makes it clear he must change to become caring.

L – Looks
9. How is Scrooge described physically or emotionally in the excerpt?
He is cold, thin-faced, stern, and unhappy. His eyes are sharp and he looks lonely.

10. How does his appearance or the way others react to him help reveal the theme?
Others avoid or pity him, showing that his greed makes him lonely and needs to be fixed by learning kindness.

STEP 3: Connecting Character to Theme
11. Using evidence from at least TWO parts of STEAL, explain how Scrooge helps develop the theme of the story.
Scrooge’s speech (“Bah! Humbug!”) and actions (refusing charity, being cruel to Bob) show he cares only about money and pushes people away. These details set up the story’s message that a person can change from mean and lonely to kind and connected.

STEP 4: Reflection
12. What lesson do you think Scrooge needs to learn by the end of the story? Explain your thinking.
He needs to learn to be kind and give to others. If he cares for people more than money, he will be happier and not be so alone.