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A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol

Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

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

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.

Young Scrooge alone at school as Fan arrives, watched by the Ghost of Christmas Past
Context Illustration Reading 16/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.
He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.
"I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."
"Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"
As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.
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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

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

Reading 16/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 76–80

Line 1
The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.
Line 2
He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.
Line 3
"I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."
Line 4
"Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"
Line 5
As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.”

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

am

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

an

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

and

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

as

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

be

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

Bear

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

but

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

clasped

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

country

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

either

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

fall

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

fields

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

finding

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

gentle

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

grasp

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

hand

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

He

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

heart

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

his

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

I

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

in

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

it

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

laying

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

liable

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

made

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

more

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

mortal

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

my

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

not

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

of

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

on

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

passed

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

remonstrated

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

resisted

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

road

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

robe

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

rose

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

said

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

Scrooge

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

From this reading "I am a mortal," Scrooge remonstrated, "and liable to fall."

shall

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

Spirit

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

spoken

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

supplication

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

than

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

that

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

The

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

there

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

they

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

this

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

though

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

through

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

to

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

touch

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

towards

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

upheld

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

upon

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

wall

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

was

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

were

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

window

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

From this reading He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

with

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

woman's

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

From this reading The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not to be resisted.

words

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

From this reading As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.

you

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

From this reading "Bear but a touch of my hand there," said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, "and you shall be upheld in more than this!"

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 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

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

Narrator: STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS
Narrator: "Was I apprenticed here!"