The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe Comprehension Answers Official
A2: Small, inexplicable events occur: objects move on their own, a jar of black polish is found on the floor, and James’s schoolbooks are mysteriously rearranged. He later finds a strange list of names (his family’s) written in old handwriting in a dusty ledger.
A10: His sister, Verity (no relation to Mr. Verity), is younger and more open-minded. She sees the ghost once and believes James. Also, a local retired clergyman, Mr. Davenport, eventually takes James seriously. Section 4: The Ghost’s Personality and Motives Q11: Describe Thomas Kempe’s personality as shown through his actions. A11: He is arrogant, impatient, old-fashioned, and petty. He refuses to admit he is dead. He sees himself as a learned man but acts like a spoiled child when ignored. He has a warped sense of order and morality. the ghost of thomas kempe comprehension answers
A3: Thomas Kempe was a 17th-century apothecary, astrologer, and “cunning man” (a local sorcerer or healer). He believed he had special powers and was proud, bossy, and resentful of modern times. A2: Small, inexplicable events occur: objects move on
A9: He reads a book on witchcraft from the library and performs a homemade ritual with a candle, a circle of salt, and some Latin phrases. It fails entirely; the ghost becomes angrier and more active afterward. Verity), is younger and more open-minded
A7: Mr. Verity is the elderly owner of the village shop. He is wise and observant. He tells James that the cottage used to belong to Thomas Kempe and suggests that the ghost might be restless. He advises James to find out more about Kempe from old records. Section 3: James’s Attempts to Solve the Problem Q8: Why doesn’t James tell his parents the truth about the ghost? A8: James knows his parents are practical and rational. They would either not believe him or think he was having psychological problems. He feels isolated and responsible for solving the problem alone.
Below are key comprehension questions (organized by plot and theme) with detailed answers to help students and readers understand the novel. Q1: Why does the Harrison family move to the cottage in Ledsham? A1: They move because their old home was being demolished to make way for a new road. The cottage in Ledsham is old and needs work, but it is available and suits their budget.
Penelope Lively’s classic children’s novel, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (1973), tells the story of James Harrison, a young boy whose family moves into an old cottage in Oxfordshire. Soon after, the ghost of a 17th-century sorcerer and apothecary, Thomas Kempe, appears, determined to continue his earthly profession — causing chaos, mischief, and mayhem.
A2: Small, inexplicable events occur: objects move on their own, a jar of black polish is found on the floor, and James’s schoolbooks are mysteriously rearranged. He later finds a strange list of names (his family’s) written in old handwriting in a dusty ledger.
A10: His sister, Verity (no relation to Mr. Verity), is younger and more open-minded. She sees the ghost once and believes James. Also, a local retired clergyman, Mr. Davenport, eventually takes James seriously. Section 4: The Ghost’s Personality and Motives Q11: Describe Thomas Kempe’s personality as shown through his actions. A11: He is arrogant, impatient, old-fashioned, and petty. He refuses to admit he is dead. He sees himself as a learned man but acts like a spoiled child when ignored. He has a warped sense of order and morality.
A3: Thomas Kempe was a 17th-century apothecary, astrologer, and “cunning man” (a local sorcerer or healer). He believed he had special powers and was proud, bossy, and resentful of modern times.
A9: He reads a book on witchcraft from the library and performs a homemade ritual with a candle, a circle of salt, and some Latin phrases. It fails entirely; the ghost becomes angrier and more active afterward.
A7: Mr. Verity is the elderly owner of the village shop. He is wise and observant. He tells James that the cottage used to belong to Thomas Kempe and suggests that the ghost might be restless. He advises James to find out more about Kempe from old records. Section 3: James’s Attempts to Solve the Problem Q8: Why doesn’t James tell his parents the truth about the ghost? A8: James knows his parents are practical and rational. They would either not believe him or think he was having psychological problems. He feels isolated and responsible for solving the problem alone.
Below are key comprehension questions (organized by plot and theme) with detailed answers to help students and readers understand the novel. Q1: Why does the Harrison family move to the cottage in Ledsham? A1: They move because their old home was being demolished to make way for a new road. The cottage in Ledsham is old and needs work, but it is available and suits their budget.
Penelope Lively’s classic children’s novel, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (1973), tells the story of James Harrison, a young boy whose family moves into an old cottage in Oxfordshire. Soon after, the ghost of a 17th-century sorcerer and apothecary, Thomas Kempe, appears, determined to continue his earthly profession — causing chaos, mischief, and mayhem.