Listen&Learn: A Christmas Carol

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

A Christmas story about the dangers of greed.

Pre-listening vocabulary

protagonist: a story’s main character
greedy: selfish, wanting more than you need
charity: an organization that gives money to people who need it
ominous: suggesting that something bad will happen
vision: a type of dream caused by something supernatural
Christmas spirit: feelings of happiness and generosity caused by the Christmas season

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas story written by English author Charles Dickens. The book’s protagonist is a man named Scrooge, who is bitter and greedy, and cares only about . At the start of the story, Scrooge’s personality is evident in his . He insults the people around him, forces his assistant to work during the , and refuses to give to charity. It is also clear that Scrooge dislikes Christmas, because he rudely declines his nephew’s to a Christmas dinner. That night, when Scrooge is in bed, he is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The ghosts show him ominous visions that make him the way he treats others. By the end of the story, he finds his Christmas spirit and lets go of his greed.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19972″]

Discussion/essay questions

The main lesson to take from this story is to be generous rather than greedy. Why do you think the author wanted to express this theme in a Christmas story?

Transcript

A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas story written by English author Charles Dickens. The book’s protagonist is a man named Scrooge, who is bitter and greedy, and cares only about money. At the start of the story, Scrooge’s personality is evident in his actions. He insults the people around him, forces his assistant to work during the holidays, and refuses to give to charity. It is also clear that Scrooge dislikes Christmas, because he rudely declines his nephew’s invitation to a Christmas dinner. That night, when Scrooge is in bed, he is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The ghosts show him ominous visions that make him rethink the way he treats others. By the end of the story, he finds his Christmas spirit and lets go of his greed.

Image: Thanks to Andy Mabbett (adapted)

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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43 comments

abdolmonem says:

Because in Christmas people get gift to them
English Club Indonesia says:

The author wanted to express that Christmas is magical and great to celebrate. Therefore, one shouldn’t ignore it but should join in instead.
No worries dey says:

The man is greedy paaapa hhhhmmm
Matilda michean says:

Please if you came to this place you must learn how to be a good person. Thank you ❤️
Matilda michean says:

Please if you came to this place you must learn how to be a good person and you must not be greedy. Love you viewers 🤩😘😘😘📜📃📄
Mohit Kumar Meena says:

1
Cathy says:

I knew such a greedy friend who likes to make money and save it, and he never spent too much money playing.
wissam says:

i saw this story in a movie it is a lesson to be generous and not selfish
PETER SDOYKOS says:

ILIKE
Shahnas says:

I its not to insult the people but
I learned this history all the are not same like all your fingers.
Caridadgomo says:

I love this type of story.
Hassan says:

The great novel of all times.
Alice Ye says:

It’s a good story. Christmas is a pretty important holiday for a family, and friends. They show their love each other and enjoy the happy moment. But Scrooge just cares money, thankfully, he changed from his heart after he visited the three Christmas ghosts.
John M. Yancey says:

Great story, Charles Dickens has written wonderful books, this particular one was made into an animated movie that I have enjoyed on several occasions. I wish all a wonderful Xmas and take care of yourselves.
Justin Mercader says:

The story is that a family was at Christmas time but in reality they did not care about Christmas what they care about is money.
Daniela iglesias says:

A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas story written by English author Charles Dickens.

It is also clear that Scrooge dislikes Christmas, because he rudely declines his nephew’s invitation to a Christmas dinner.

That night, when Scrooge is in bed, he is visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

By the end of the story, he finds his Christmas spirit and lets go of his greed.
Alejandro Riveros says:

The history was good
Dieune says:

Scrooge was greedy but he was a good listener as he took action on the ghosts’words.
Kendry Cortorreal says:

He didn’t care about Christmas, he only cares about money
Kendry Cortorreal says:

He only cares about money, he does not care about Christmas
Gustavo Quiuqui says:

It talks about a rude guy who only thinks about money and what happens at Christmas when three fantasman show the present, the past and the future for him to represent the true meaning of Christmas.
Gustavo Quiuqui says:

It talks about a rude guy who only thinks about money and what happens at Christmas when three fantasman show the present, the past and the future for him to represent the true meaning of Christmas.
Drsalwa says:

Thanks Erica Soto for a nice wishes for new year .and I hope you and all happy wishes and good health
Drsalwa says:

I think the author chose the Christmas as its impact on a lot of people to be happy and to get others around them happy through feeding poor people ,invite all friends and relatives to dinner ,also buying more gifts for kids and relatives
nicole says:

Christmas carol is a classic Christmas story the protagonist is a greedy and greedy man in the story at the beginning he insults people and also he does not like Christmas because he rejects the dinner invitation that his nephew invited him, they appreciate the ghosts already that is how he could leave his greed.
Gerardo Quijada says:

Scrooge is a person who likes money very much and is very ambitious and does not like Christmas, his nephew also invited him and he strongly rejected the invitation and at night he was visited by 3 ghosts that made him reconsider.
Eusebio Beltran says:

It’s ok
Felipe Tohon says:

History cool
Alma Muxtay says:

finish
Erica Soto says:

To my English Club:

I want to wish all the students, staff, and the administration a joyful holidays next to family, friends, and loved ones and a
Happy New Year full of love, peace, and Health. Happy New Year 2021 and many Blessings…

From
Erica Soto
Elaine Campos says:

scrooge was grumpy and money hanger, until he was visited by 3 ghost who made him rethink about life.
Elaine Campos says:

scrooge was grumpy and money hanger, until he was visited for 3 ghost who made him rethink about life.
Cheyla jimenez says:

To show all those people like Scrooge who do not have a Christmas spirit, the beauty and importance of Christmas, what they can lose by not giving them a little of their time and valuing each of the family moments since one never knows what can happen.
Mauro says:

Scrooge was a person who only cared about money and did not like Christmas, until he was presented with 3 ghosts that made him see how it would end if he continued like this
Atai Aguilar. says:

It is that the protagonist of the book is a bitter man, greedy, and only cares about money. And that he is a person who does not like Christmas and rejects his nephew’s invitations for a dinner and who at the end of the story, finds his Christmas spirit and lets go of his greed.
Justo Kono says:

when you do things right and from the heart, you will receive good results
Aaron Nunez Mayorga says:

le gusta mucho el dinero y no las historias que escribe y se precupa mucho por el dinero.
johan david says:

he only about money he does not care about christmas
Ainhoa veléz says:

the summary of the stories
is that there is a man who does not like to celebrate Christmas by rejecting invitations and then at night that three ghosts appear that shows him the mistake he is making by not celebrating Christmas and not being a good person.
David Osorio says:

Best Greetings!

And thank you for reminding me this fantastic story that I read in Spanish when I was a child and in English learning some years ago.
Georg says:

Many thanks to the EnglishClub team for this wonderful “Listen & Learn” episode. I wish you and all the listeners of EnglishClub all the best for the future.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Greethings,

I enjoyed so much reading the story!
Thank you for sharing it with us.

I wish you a lovely Christmas with a lot of love,peace & JOY,
Nguyễn Trung Tính says:

assignment so very hard with me !! because skill listening mine bad . I hope all you will support for me. One more i wish all you alway happy