The Little Match Girl
Study Guide and Activity
Learning Goals: Improve writing skills and vocabulary, encourage self expression and creativity, encourage and develop appreciation for literature and important authors
- Give a synopsis of the story “The Little Match Girl”
II. Answer the following questions:
- What themes are present in the story?
- How does Hans Christian Andersen present the main character of his story?
- What do you think of the title of the story? Would you change the title of the book if you were given a chance?
- What is the most important message in the story? Does it have relevance in your present life?
- Did you expect the ending to be such? How would you like the story to end?
- How essential is the setting of the story? Would the story work in a Philippine setting? Why or why not? What elements would or would not work?
- The girl sees different things whenever she lights a matchstick. What do those scenes mean? Why do you think those scenes are important in the story?
- What symbols have you noticed in the story? How important were they in the story?
- What types of conflict are present in the story? (physical, moral, emotional, intellectual)
- How would you convince other young people your age to read “The Little Match Girl”? What would you tell them about it if you were only given a few minutes?
III. Vocabulary Check: What is the meaning of the underlined word or phrase?
- She was hungry, freezing and dejected looking.
- pale
- angry
- sickly
- sad
2. In a corner between two houses, one of which stuck out into the street further than
the other, she sat down and huddled up.
- arms spread
- lying down without cover
- curled up
- shaking in the cold
3. And she quickly struck the remnant of the matchsticks in the bundle.
- the longest one
- the smallest one
- remaining
- one end
4. The poor little thing lost her slippers as she scuffled away across the street.
- ran
- struggle
- crawl
- Walk
5. From all the windows the candles were gleaming.
- dying light
- shining brightly
- unsteady light
- Burning and melting fast
IV. Draw a picture of a part in the story that made the strongest impact on you. In a few sentences, explain why you chose it.
V. Research on the life of Hans Christian Andersen. Use the encyclopedia in our library. Write an essay about the Danish author. Make sure to include his most important work, his cultural influences and what you think were the most important events in his life.
