A Christnas Carol

The mood, or tone, of the first paragraph is best described as _________ .

• A. exciting

• B. dreary

• C. frightening

• D. warm

Which of the following descriptions of Scrooge is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 2)?

The door of Scrooge’s counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk’s fire was so much very smaller that it looked like one coal.

• A. He does not give himself any pleasures or comfort, and he is even more ungenerous towards others.

• B. He is a poor man who cannot afford any luxuries, but he gives all he has to benefit others.

• C. He is mistreated by others so he is suspicious and wary of other people’s motives.

• 1. D. He is a kind and giving boss, who is always looking out for his business and employees’ well being.

The following passage (paragraphs 6–8) adds to the development of the text mainly by .

“Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “You don’t mean that, I am sure?”

“I do,” said Scrooge. “Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”

“Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be so dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”

• A. showing that money determines a person’s happiness

• B. explaining why Scrooge is so bitter and his nephew is cheerful

• C. supporting the theme that having money is not what makes someone happy

• D. explaining the characters’ personal histories and backstories

Which selection best expresses the nephew’s point of view in the passage below (paragraph 16)?

“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,” returned the nephew. “Christmas among the rest.”

• A. Buying Christmas gifts can be very expensive.

• B. It’s unnecessary for a person to think about money.

• C. The importance of something is not determined by whether it makes a person money.

• 1. D. A person should only celebrate the Christmas holiday if they believe in its importance.

Which of the following inferences about Scrooge is best supported by this excerpt?

• A. He is cheery and optimistic, always finding the good in others.

• B. He is lonely and mean because he has no family or friends.

• C. He tries to be friendly but always appears to be overbearing.

• D. He is a mean and negative person who always sees the bad side of any situation.

Which of the following of Scrooge’s quotes best supports the answer to the previous question?

• A. “Let me hear another sound from you, and you’ll keep your Christmas by losing your situation!”

• B. “Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”

• C. “What else can I be, when I live in such a world of fools as this?”

• D. All of the above

Which of the following inferences about Scrooge’s clerk is best supported by the excerpt?

• A. He despises his boss Scrooge, and has let his hatred ruin his mood.

• B. He is kind to others because he lives a comfortable and good life.

• C. He is treated badly by Scrooge and has poor circumstances, yet he is happy.

• D. He is only happy and cheerful because he is going to be given all of Scrooge's money.

Which passage from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• A. “The clerk in the Tank involuntarily applauded. Becoming immediately sensible of the impropriety, he poked the fire, and extinguished the last frail spark forever.”

• B. “Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed.”

• C. “He stopped at the outer edge to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially.”

• D. “The door of Scrooge’s counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters.”