Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
A Christmas Carol
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.

Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits, section 1: 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
Context Illustration Reading 1/75 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
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.
He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.
So he listened for the hour.
To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.
Twelve!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
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 1/75 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
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.
Line 2
He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.
Line 3
So he listened for the hour.
Line 4
To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.
Line 5
Twelve!

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “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.”

FIRST noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “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.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.”

All words in this reading · 61

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

astonishment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

awoke

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

bed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

bell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

chamber

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

chimes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

church

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading 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.

dark

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

darkness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

distinguish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

eight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

endeavouring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

ferret

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

FIRSTnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 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.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So he listened for the hour.

four

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading 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.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 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.

heavy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading 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.

hour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he listened for the hour.

II

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 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.

listened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he listened for the hour.

looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

neighbouring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 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.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

opaque

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

pierce

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

quarters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

regularly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

scarcely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

Scrooge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

seven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

six

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 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.

SPIRITS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

STAVE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 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.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading 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.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

THREE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

transparent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

twelve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

walls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 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.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.

WHENconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading 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.

window

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 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.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.

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!"