“A Christmas Carol”by Charles Dickens

Dramatized by Frederick GainesVocabulary – List #2

DirectionsRead each sentence using the vocabulary word.Write what you think the underlined word might mean.Replace your definition in the sentence to see if it makes sense!Use the pictures as clues!Good luck!

Reassurancenoun

Startled, he picks up and rings it for reassurance; an echo answers it. pg. 259

The root word -assure means to make safe or convince.

The prefix re- means again and again

The young singer needed lots of reassurance that he would one day be a star.

incoherentadjective

• The bell sounds grow to a din, incoherent as in a dream, then suddenly falls silent. Pg.259

(Din means a loud, continuous sound.)

• When my son mumbles at me, his words are incoherent.

• The root word -cohere means to fit together logically.

• The prefix in- means not

Summonverb

• Scrooge sits up in bed, listens, and hears the chains of Marley coming up the stairs. Scrooge reaches for the bell pull to summon Sparsit. P. 259

• The student summoned up the courage to ask the teacher for help on his test.

• The judge told the bailiff to summon the witness. He wanted to hear exactly what happened the night of the crime.

Welfarenoun

• At this point in the story, Scrooge was just visited by Marley. Marley warned Scrooge that if he didn’t change his life, he would be forced to spend eternity burdened by chains and guilt.

Scrooge: Why are you here?First Spirit: Your welfare. Rise. Walk with me.• “The welfare of the children is at stake!” yelled the

police officer as he ran into the burning building.

• BE CAREFUL! Welfare in this context is not something that refers to assistance provided by the government!

Mortaladjective

• Talking to the First Spirit –

Scrooge: I am mortal still. I cannot pass through air. P.260

• Think about words like – mortality, immortality, immortal, post-mortum. What do these words have to do with?

• Humans are mortal, vampires are immortal.

currencynoun

• In this scene, Scrooge’s sweetheart is returning her engagement ring to Scrooge.

She says: “Can you love me, Ebenezer? I bring no dowry to my marriage, only me, only love. It is no currency that you can buy and sell with, but we can live with it. Can you? p.264• Many countries have their own form of currency.

When you travel to those countries, you need to exchange American dollars for foreign currency.

• The official currency used in most of Europe is known as the Euro.

Pledgenoun • Scrooge’s sweetheart

pauses, then returns the ring Scrooge gave her as his pledge. P.264

• President Obama pledged to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Irene. Today he was asked to honor that pledge.

• Every morning in school, we pledge our allegiance to the United States.

Charitableadjective

Bob Cratchit: I only know one thing on Christmas: that one must be charitable.

Mrs. Cratchit: I’ll drink to his health for your sake and the day’s, not for his. P. 266

Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, was very charitable, few went away from him empty-handed.

The poor and needy in Victorian Englanddepended on charitable people to survive.

Linger **verb

• The poor children would linger around Scrooge’s door just for the opportunity to carry his lantern. They hoped for a few pennies in return for lighting his way. P.258

• I lingered at the bus stop hoping to see Beth when she got done work.

• “Don’t linger too long,” my mom said, “I want to get home soon.”

Predictable **adjective

• Ebenezer Scrooge was so predictable. Everyone knew he was stingy and mean so they tried to avoid him when he walked down the street. P.258

• The weather this year has not been very predictable. The weathermen never know if it is going to be cold or hot, wet or dry!

• My friend’s behavior is very predictable. I can always depend on her to be happy and upbeat.