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A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol

Chapter I · Stave I: Marley's Ghost

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

STAVE I: MARLEY'S GHOST MARLEY was dead: to begin with.

Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in the cold counting-house on Christmas Eve
Context Illustration Reading 17/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?
If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.
He should!"
"Uncle!"
pleaded the nephew.
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 I · Stave I: Marley's Ghost

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

Reading 17/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 81–85

Line 1
What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?
Line 2
If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.
Line 3
He should!"
Line 4
"Uncle!"
Line 5
pleaded the nephew.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?”

All words in this reading · 69

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

a

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

about

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

against

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

an

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

and

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

balancing

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

be

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

bills

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

boiled

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

buried

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

but

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

Christmas

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

could

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

dead

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

dozen

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

em

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

every

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

finding

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

for

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

goes

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

having

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

He

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

From this reading He should!"

heart

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

his

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

holly

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

hour

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

I

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

idiot

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

If

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

in

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

indignantly

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

item

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

lips

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Merry

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

money

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

months

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

my

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

nephew

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

From this reading pleaded the nephew.

not

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

of

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

older

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

on

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

own

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

paying

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

pleaded

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

From this reading pleaded the nephew.

presented

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

pudding

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

richer

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

round

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

said

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Scrooge

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

should

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

stake

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

the

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

From this reading pleaded the nephew.

through

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

time

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

to

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

Uncle

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

From this reading "Uncle!"

What's

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

who

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

will

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

with

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

without

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

work

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

From this reading If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

year

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

you

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

your

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

yourself

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

From this reading What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Stave I: Marley's Ghost?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "STAVE I: MARLEY'S GHOST...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: STAVE I: MARLEY'S GHOST
Narrator: is called fancy about him as any man in the city of