The Screaming Staircase

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1, Foreword-Chapter 4

Reading Check

1. What essential tool does Lockwood forget to bring to the Hope house?

2. Who does Mrs. Hope believe is haunting her?

3. What rash decision does Lucy make when she and Lockwood are attacked by the ghost?

4. What two things do Lockwood and Lucy rely on for comfort in dark, haunted houses?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What makes Stroud’s novel different from typical ghost stories, according to the author himself? Give two examples.

2. What is ghost-lock?

3. Why are Sources important and what do Lockwood and Lucy believe to be the Source of the Type Two haunting?

Paired Resource

“The Science Behind Adolescent Risk Taking and Exploration”

• This resource from UCLA’s Center for the Developing Adolescent offers a brief description of adolescents’ tendencies to take risks, examining why this is important for their development.
• In the novel, Lockwood and his team also take risks in order to Make a Name for themselves.
• What traits or actions of the novel’s main characters indicate their willingness to take risks?

Part 2, Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. What is the purpose of the thinking cloth?

2. What happened to Lockwood’s parents?

3. Which bug is a sign of spiritual activity?

4. What is a Type One ghost?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why are children chosen to battle the recent spike in ghost appearances?

2. What are some of the experiences that led Lucy to choose Lockwood & Co.?

3. How does Lucy’s unique ability help her solve the haunting in the garage?

Paired Resource

“Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences”

• This article from the Mayo Clinic Health System is a straightforward description of the types of experiences that can be particularly challenging for children and adolescents and guidance on how to cope with these experiences in healthy ways.
• In the novel, a large part of the characters’ coping with their adversity as children is to rely on the Friendships that they have with one another.
• What types of adversity did Lucy and Lockwood experience as children, and how do they overcome it together?

Part 3, Chapters 9-16

Reading Check

1. What is inside the jar that George keeps?

2. What is DEPRAC?

3. Who visits Lucy in the middle of the night?

4. Who does Lucy suspect murdered Annabel?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does George become angry with Lucy when she gets home?

2. What news does Inspector Barnes come to deliver?

3. What does Lucy find out when she holds Annabel’s necklace?

4. Why does Lockwood believe that Fairfax’s proposal will change the tide for Lockwood & Co.?

Paired Resource

“The Supernatural”

• This collection of articles explores the Victorian era fascination with the supernatural and the many forms this fascination took.
• Like Lockwood and his team, people in Victorian England attempted to Make a Name for themselves by engaging with the supernatural.
• What aspect of the supernatural fascinates you the most and why?

Canadian Ghost Hunters

• This news article and video feature a Canadian ghost hunting team; methods used are explained, and a ghost hunt is filmed.
• The ghost hunting team in the article employs strategy and always Plans their missions in advance.
• Do you notice any similarities or differences between this real-life ghost hunting team and Lockwood’s team?

Parts 4-5, Chapters 17-26

Reading Check

1. What does Fairfax believe to be the Source of the haunting at Combe Carey Hall?

2. How does Lucy help everyone escape where they are trapped in Combe Carey Hall?

3. What happens on the Screaming Staircase?

4. Who takes down Fairfax in the novel’s climax?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What do George and Lucy finally agree upon?

2. What are some of the ghostly stories of Combe Carey Hall?

3. Why does Lockwood want to read about Fairfax’s acting career?

Recommended Next Reads 

The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

• This sequel to The Screaming Staircase picks up six months after Anthony, Lucy, and George survive a night in the most haunted house in England, following the trio through the new terrifying challenges that are brought to Lockwood & Co.
• Shared topics include hauntings, mysteries, ghostly investigations, and overcoming obstacles.
• Shared themes include Navigating Complex Friendships and Making a Name for Self and for Family.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

• This series features a child hero as he battles the supernatural world.
• Shared topics include child heroes, supernatural entities, and fantasy.
• Shared themes include Navigating Complex Friendships and Making a Name for Self and for Family.
• Artemis Fowl on SuperSummary