Nicholas Nickleby reading for pleasure for 7th grade

Nicholas Nickleby reading for pleasure for 7th grade

Nicholas Nickleby, or The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, is the third novel by English author Charles Dickens, originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839. The character of Nickleby is a young man who must support his mother and sister after his father dies.

Charles John Huffam Dickens

Charles John Huffam Dickens (/ˈdɪkɪnz/; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius.

1)Before you read the first extract, complete the

paragraph with the words below:

better       boarding          dies           like          travels            uncle

Nicholas Nickleby’s father 1 young and leaves the family without any money. They have a rich

2__________ in London and they ask him for help. But he is cold-hearted and doesn’t 3__________ Nicholas. So he finds 19-year-old Nicholas a job teaching at a 4____________ school in Yorkshire and Nicholas thinks his life will get 5_____________ . He 6______________to Yorkshire with the

owner of the school, Mr Squeers.

Read the first text

In the evening of the second day, they arrived in Yorkshire. There was snow everywhere, and in front of them was a long, low building with dark windows. It looked cold and unpleasant. This was the school − Dotheboys Hall. Inside Mrs Squeers was waiting for them. She looked at Nicholas coldly, then turned to her husband. How is my Squeery?’ she said. ‘Very well, my love,’ replied Squeers. ‘How are the cows and the other animals?’ ‘Very well.’ ‘And the boys?’ asked Squeers. ‘Oh, they’re well, too,’ replied Mrs Squeers quickly in a hard voice. After that, they talked about parents who paid their debts to the school and parents who couldn’t pay. Then Mrs Squeers put a cold supper on the table for her husband – and for Nicholas. Squeers ate and drank a lot: Nicholas had only a little. Then they all went to bed.

2) Choose the correct words.

1 The school looks / doesn’t look very nice.

2 Mrs Squeers is / isn’t friendly to Nicholas.

3 Mr Squeers asks about the animals / boys first.

4 Mr and Mrs Squeers talk about food / money.

5 Nicholas eats a lot of / little food.