Chapter II
Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
Scrooge demanded. "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past." "Long Past?" inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature. "No. Your past."
A Christmas Carol
Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS WHEN Scrooge awoke, it was so dark, that looking out of bed, he could scarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his chamber.
English subtitles · tap any word to listen
1 / 5
Scrooge
demanded.
"I
am
the
Ghost
of
Christmas
Past."
"Long
Past?"
inquired
Scrooge:
observant
of
its
dwarfish
stature.
"No.
Your
past."
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
A Christmas Carol
Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
Reading 12/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 56–60
Line 1
Scrooge
demanded.
Line 2
"I
am
the
Ghost
of
Christmas
Past."
Line 3
"Long
Past?"
Line 4
inquired
Scrooge:
observant
of
its
dwarfish
stature.
Line 5
"No.
Your
past."
Learner Dictionary
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
demanded
verb
US /dɪˈmændəd/
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “Scrooge demanded.”
Collocations
Scrooge demandedA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
demanded IA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 17
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
demandedverbUS /dɪˈmændəd/
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading Scrooge demanded.
dwarfish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
Ghost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
LongnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Long Past?"
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "No. Your past."
observant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
Past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
Scrooge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scrooge demanded.
stature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "No. Your past."
Chapter Quiz
What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits?
Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?
According to the text: "STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS...", what tone does the author establish?
Shadowing Practice
Narrator:
STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS
Narrator:
"Was I apprenticed here!"