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Character sketches, chapter questions and summaries help you to better understand the story.  

Begin with chapter summaries.   These are short versions of what happens in each chapter.  Next, you'll find questions that will help you to understand the chapter and the characters.  Keep going down the page and you'll come to the Vocabulary.  This is an especially helpful section.  After you have found the meanings of the new words, you can use these new words every day.  This is great fun for our brains!

Try using your new words when you email Analynn.

Quick summary links » Chapters 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14    15/16    17    18    19     20    21

HAVE FUN AND REMEMBER TO SMILE!

CHAPTER  21

A.    SUMMARY

Alex traps the Cooper's singing garden ghost while Gia finds more cryptic writing on the bathroom walls.  Gia can't help but wonder, 'Is this ghost mystery really solved?'

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What does Alex trap in the garden?

• What does Gia find in the bathroom?

• What side of Gia's personality is revealed through her relationship with Ethan in this chapter?

• What 'nickname' does Ethan call Gia?

CHAPTER  20

A.    SUMMARY

It's pizza time at the Cooper residence.  It's been a long day and this family needs some chill time.  While munching on great food, they discuss the many possible ghosts that have surfaced.  Just when the pieces begin to come together, the singing in the garden begins again.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What is one of the Cooper's favorite foods?

• How many possible ghosts might Gia uncover?

• What sound does the family hear at the end of the chapter?

CHAPTER 19

A.    SUMMARY

Constable Lemaigre gives Gia a book title that she believes will lead the young sleuth to more clues about the Cooper's garden ghost.  In the meantime, the thieves that stole Milikin's horses, were captured in Manitoba.  They finally decide to cooperate with the R.C.M.P., providing necessary information that will help the police find the person or people responsible for all the trouble in the community.  Back at the Cooper residence, Alex sets his homemade ghost trap in the garden.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What does Constable Lemaigre suggest the Cooper's garden ghost might be?

• How many horse thieves are caught in Manitoba?

• How old are the horse thieves?

• Is Manitoba east or west of Saskatchewan?

• What did the Librarian tell Alex when he called for information?

• What did Alex do in the garden at the end of this chapter?

CHAPTER 18

A.    SUMMARY

Ethan and Alex's lives are threatened by wild animals as they try to save a neighbour's farm from devastation.  Gia comes to the rescue, impressing Ethan with her courage and quick thinking.  Gia is rewarded with news from one of the R.C.M.P. officers that there really may be a haunted house in Weldon, Saskatchewan.  This same officer takes a personal interest in the Cooper garden ghost, giving Alex and Gia another lead to follow.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What wild animals chase Alex and Ethan?

• What does Gia do to save her brother and boyfriend?

• Who is Constable Lemaigre?

• What do we learn about Gia in this chapter?

• What other damage did the mystery-troublemakers do for the Milikins and their neighbours?

CHAPTER 17

A.    SUMMARY

The Coopers execute their survival plan which includes Gia being shipped out of town in an egg crate.  Gia's escape to Kinistino, Saskatchewan, is stopped when Ethan responds to a distress call from Alex.  The trio follows the clues that Alex gathered and danger erupts around them as wild boars attack!

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• Describe Mrs. Dalton.

• List three odd items that Mrs. Dalton has in her back yard.

• Where was Alex hiding?

• What kind of wild animal attacked Ethan and Alex?

• Where was Gia hoping to meet her mother?

CHAPTERS 15 and 16

A.    SUMMARY

Danger strikes the Cooper home, leaving them in a state of shock.   Their home is violated by an unknown predator.  Mr. Cooper sends Gia away so she is not kidnapped.  Mrs.  Cooper must remain in Alberta until this mystery is solved.   Shattered glass covers the living room floor.  Fear grips Gia as the phone rings.  The caller lets the Cooper family know that they are being watched which leaves Gia with a cold chill running down her spine.  Then, the phone rings again ...

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What is covering the living room floor in the Cooper home?

• What broke the window?

• State one piece of advice the R.C.M.P. officers give the Cooper family.  If you know another one, state it also and get Bonus marks.

• In Chapter 16, who was the last phone call from?

CHAPTER 14

A.    SUMMARY

Gia's excitement about the ghost writing on the walls in her home dwindles as she discovers her father washed all the symbols away.  Alex is certain the ghost has written ancient Viking symbols.  The mystery sizzles when the unmistakable sound of shattering glass leaves the Cooper family in a panic.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• What did the "ghost" do inside the Cooper home?

• Who is Mr. Wagner?

• Ethan and Gia are planning to visit a small town in Saskatchewan.  What is the name of that town?

CHAPTERS 12 & 13

A.    SUMMARY

Gia tells us more about her mother and her work as a naturopath.   Jenny is in better spirits because her sister is no longer in critical condition after her accident.  Mysterious writing appears on the walls at the Cooper residence.  Is it the ghost trying to further communicate with this family?  Chapter 13 is a letter from Gia that contains the clue to take you to the next chapter.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.   What is a naturopath?

• 2.    What is organic food?

• 3.    Where is Gia's mother?

• 4.    What is wrong with Gia's baby cousin?

• 5.    What does Gia find in the bathroom?

CHAPTERS 10 & 11

A.    SUMMARY

Our sleuths arrive at Gia's house only to find an unusual visitor who brings dreadful news.  Gia phones Jenny and finds out there's been a terrible car accident.  Meanwhile, a neighbor, Paul Lutz, finds his dog dead on his farmhouse doorstep.  Are there a few ghosts in the Cooper's lives?

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    Who is the strange visitor at the Cooper home?

• 2.    What happened to Mr. Lutz's dog?

• 3.    What kind of accident happened in Jenny's family?

• 4.    a)    Who was injured in Jenny's family?  

•        b)    What kind of injuries did this victim suffer?

• 5.    Who does Gia phone at the end of Chapter 11?

A.    SUMMARY

Gia is excited about finding a nightgown in the attic of the old ghost house near Hampton.  She believes it belongs to the young girl that has been said to haunt the house for the past sixty years.  Gia and Ethan complete their investigation of the Hampton ghost house and discuss their findings over Chinese food in Canora, Saskatchewan, where Ethan also tells Gia all he knows about the many bad things that have been happening to farmers in the province.   In this chapter, we also learn more about Gia's family and friends.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    What do Gia and Ethan find in the attic?

• 2.    What city do Ethan and Gia drive to so they can eat Chinese food?

• 3.    What kind of vehicle does Ethan drive?

• 4.    What does Gia really like in Ethan's vehicle?

• 5.    At the Chinese restaurant, a young girl serves Gia and Ethan.  

•         a)    What grade is she in? 

•         b)    What are her favorite subjects in school?

• 6.    What happened to Gia's grandfather at the zoo?

• 7.    What "funny business" has happened to the Gustafson family farm?

HAPTER 8

A.    SUMMARY

Gia and Ethan go into the old ghost house near Hampton, Saskatchewan.  They are looking around when they are surprised by a visitor, who turns out NOT to be the ghost, but rather the store owner.  He has more information about the ghost that Gia may be interested in knowing.  Indeed, Gia discovers that a sauna was built over the grave of the girl that haunted this home for years.  Gia and Ethan climb the broken staircase that leads to more mysteries in the haunted house.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.   Who comes to the ghost house to see Gia and Ethan?

• 2.   What is the size of the old sauna foundation?

• 3.   What is the store owner's name?

CHAPTER 7 

A.    SUMMARY

Snakes, ghost stories and unusual people capture Gia's attention as she explores a real haunted house located in Hampton, SK.   Ethan and Gia explore the century old abandoned home,  searching for evidence that ghosts really do exist.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    What does Gia tell us about her family?

• 2.    Gia finds out why her father was so upset after his meeting at the Gustafson house.  What was he concerned about?

• 3.    In what town is the ghost house located?

• 4.    Gia and Ethan have to speak to a man who owns a store.  In which town does the man live?

• 5.    What kinds of things does this man sell in his store?

• 6.    What is the store owner's name?

• 7.    What does the store owner look like?

• 8.    Gia and Ethan have to walk across the farmyard to get to the haunted house.  What slithers across Gia's foot?

• 9.    How many floors does the ghost house have?

• 10.  On which floor are the bedrooms located?

• 11.  How many bedrooms are there?

• 12.  How many children usually stayed in one bedroom?

• 13.  How many children did the Zarnisky family have?

• 14.  What happened to the Zarnisky family after they moved away from the ghost house?

• 15.  What are some of the things that Gia is a little bit afraid of in this chapter?

• ONUS QUESTION:  What strange thing happened to Mr. Zarnisky's horses?

CHAPTER 6

A.    SUMMARY

Alex captures the singing of the ghost on Gia's tape recorder, which he borrowed without her consent.   Alex and Gia continue to argue over the use of the tape recorder until Mr. Cooper demands that they reach some amicable agreement.  Convinced that they have a real ghost singing in their garden, the three Coopers look for  footprints that may have been left by the ghost, but any further evidence has been washed away by rain. 

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    Why is Gia angry with Alex in this Chapter?

• 2.    Does the ghost sing during the day or during the night?

• 3.    Does Alex get the ghost on video tape?

• 4.    What food made with eggs, does Gia like to cook?

• 5.    Who did Gia email so early in the morning?

HAPTERS 4 - 5

A.    SUMMARY

Gia is worried that her father is very angry with her because she did not return his car to him in time for his meeting.  Alex hears the ghost singing and hopes he can capture it on the video and cassette machines he had set up.  Tension between Gia and Alex grows as sibling rivalry now includes competition to capture the mysterious garden guest.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    Why do Gia and Alex fight?

• 2.    When does the ghost like to sing?

• 3.    Where does the ghost like to sing?

• 4.    What two things does Alex use to try to see or hear the singing ghost?

• 5.    How do we know for certain that something is singing in the garden?

CHAPTER 3

A.    SUMMARY

Gia and Ethan set out to find where Mr. Cooper's important meeting was held.  Gia is nervous about facing her dad, especially when she discovers that he rode his bike to the meeting.  Will her dad be very angry?  What will he do when he hears that Gia had forgotten about his meeting because she was with her boyfriend?

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    Where did Gia think her dad was going to send her when he saw her?

• 2.    How did Mr. Cooper get to his meeting?

• 3.    What time did Mr. Cooper's meeting begin?

• 4.    Where does Ethan's mother work?

• 5.    Why was Mrs. MacDonald so busy at her shop?

• 6.    What kind of vehicle does Ethan drive?

• 7.    What has Alex been designing?

CHAPTER 2

A.    SUMMARY

Gia's puppy, Shakespeare, meets a porcupine and ends up with quills in his nose.  Gia is worried about her puppy but Mr. Cooper comes to the rescue.  To get her mind off Shakespeare, Gia decides to go to the Library to pick up the ghost books that she had put a hold on.  She runs into Ethan, her new boyfriend, and after getting her books,  Ethan and Gia decide to get something to eat.  Gia forgets that she was supposed to be home by 7:00 pm., so her dad could get to an important meeting.

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

• 1.    Who took the quills out of Shakespeare?

• 2.    Why did Shakespeare get quilled by the porcupine?

• 3.    What type of books did Gia get from the Library?

• 4.    How old is Ethan?

• 5.    Where does Ethan go to school?

• 6.    What do Ethan and Gia do after they are finished at the Library?

• 11.  What do Ethan and Gia eat?

• 12.  What important thing did Gia forget?

HAPTER 1

A.    SUMMARY

Gia is excited about her friend, Jenny, coming to visit during the holidays, but their ghost hunting plans may go sideways because Alex's friend, Harley Davidson, is also planning to visit the Coopers at the same time.  Alex annoys Gia with his brotherly antics while Mr. Cooper tries to maintain household  peace - Mrs. Cooper is away for a few weeks.  Gia decides to cool off and take Shakespeare for a walk.  Shakespeare disappears!

B.    QUESTIONS to help you  understand this chapter

•     Who does Gia like to talk her personal matters over with?

•     What is the name of Gia's father?

•     Where is Gia's mother?

•     Who is Ethan?

•     What is Gia's favorite room in the house?

•     How old is the Cooper home?

SETTING/TIME PERIOD

The setting of a story is WHERE THE STORY TAKES PLACE. 

1. In which province and country do the Coopers live?

2. Do the Coopers live in the city or on a farm?

3. What time of year does our story take place?  Which sentences in chapter 1 help you to know this?

4. Do the Coopers live in an apartment or house?  What else do you know about their home?

5. When do you think the story happens?  Now?  Before you were born?  

6. What clues do we have in the story that help us to know when the story is taking place?

CHARACTER SKETCHES

ia - is the star of our story.  She's sweet sixteen, very intelligent, and tries to act sophisticated, but often finds herself in embarrassing situations because she didn't think carefully  before acting.  She's full of fun and quirky in her approach to life.

Gia loves adventure, so sets out to track down the singing ghost.  Her adventure gets complicated as her brother Alex, interferes by using his own methods and strategies to capture the ghost.  Gia teams up with a college student named Ethan, which only adds to the complication as she thinks he's the hottest guy in the world and falling in love with him would be the only option.

Alex - is Gia's 15-year old brother.  He's a computer nut who also likes to invent things.  Easy going and curious, Alex invites his friend Harley, to the farm for the summer.  Harley and Alex invent ways and devices to try to trap the singing ghost. 

Mr. Cooper - is Gia and Alex's father and a science teacher.  In our story, Mr. Cooper finds himself caught up in prairie politics as he discovers there are people who are trying to take over local farming operations.

QUESTIONS to help you with your Character Sketches

1.    What do you learn about Gia in EACH chapter? 

2.    What do you learn about Ethan?

3.    What do you learn about Mr. Cooper?

4.  What do you learn about Alex?

5.  Write three things you learn about Mrs. MacDonald and other characters that come into the story.

GIA:  

• What did you learn about Gia in Chapter 1?  

• How does she treat her brother, Alex?      

• What other name does she call Alex?  

• What was the name of the girlfriend Gia was talking with on the phone?

• What is the name of Gia's puppy?

ALEX: 

• What did you learn about Alex in Chapter 1?  

• How old is Alex?

• What is Alex's friend's name?

• What does Alex like to eat?

• What planet does Gia say that Alex is from?

MR. COOPER:  

• What did you learn about Mr. Cooper in Chapter 1?

• What is Mr. Cooper's profession [job]?

• Why is Mr. Cooper home so much when our story begins?

• Where is Mrs. Cooper?

What clues do we have about The Singing Ghost - ?   ?  ?  ?

Quick Vocab. links - Chapters 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11   12   14    15/16    17    18    19    20    21

To learn what these words mean, look them up in your dictionary.  Once you know what the words means, try using them for a few weeks at school!    

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 21

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 20

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 19

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 18

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 17

VOCABULARY - CHAPTERS 15/16

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 14 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 12

hapters 10 & 11    

   

 

1.     trundle	11.    scowling	21.    Asian
2.     slither	12.    attendants	22.    collateral
3.     published	13.    randomly	23.    lobbied
4.     ridiculed	14.    havoc	24.    Emus
5.     mandate	15.    exaggerating	25.    intense
6.     pandemonium	16.    wok	26.    disabled
7.     meticulously	17.    banned	27.    coincidence
8.     remnants	18.    decorum	28.    parishioners
9.     ravenously	19.    incisor	29.    succumbing
10.    commotion	20.    emigrated	30.    contend

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 8

1.     miserable	7.      diphtheria
2.     bravura	8.      Norwegian
3.     foundation	9.      gravity
4.     sauna	10.    trespassing
5.     Dukhobors	11.    grating
6.     engrossed	12.    tricycle

 

   

 

 

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 7

1.     buffer	11.    pesticides	21.    stoops	31.   maimed
2.     tolerable	12.    genetically altered seed	22.    suspended	32.    cobra
3.     interpreted	13.    contaminate	23.    potpourri	33.    architecture
4.     contracted	14.    naught	24.    abandoned	34.   petrified
5.     homestead	15.    ecological	25.    rustic	35.    intricate
6.     negotiated	16.    masculine	26.    symphony	36.    paranoid
7.     supplement	17.    bushels	27.    navigator
8.     livelihood	18.    acres	28.    pseudonym
9.     concepts	19.    solemnly	29.    sincerity
10.    organic	20.    regally	30.    pragmatic

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 6

1.     vanished	9.    impersonation
2.     static	10.   superiority
3.     trivia	11.   Hitler
4.     gloat	12.   succumbing
5.     eerie	13.   declaring
6.     gloat	14.   truce
7.     Ulysses	15.   pacify
8.     mimic	16.   vice versa

 

   

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTERS 4 and 5    

   

1.     velvet	9.     journal
2.     upholstery	10.   sign language
3.     pardon	11.   bellowed
4.     curfew	Add other words to learn
5.     graduate
6.     career
7.     eyewitness
8.     account

 

   

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 3 

1.     leisure	11.    convenient	21.    au natural
2.     convent	12.    famished	22.    stuttering
3.     adieu	13.    composed	23.    memoirs
4.     postpone	14.    adept	24.    banished
5.     inevitable	15.    consciousness	25.    audible
6.     bewildered	16.    décor
7.     circulation	17.    privileges
8.     exceptional	18.    masculine
9.     ghastly	19.    sexist
10.  puerile	20.   carnations

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 2

1.     Thoreau	11.    perspiration	21.    mammoth
2.     determined	12.    drizzles	22.    potentially
3.     complications	13.    cites	23.    svelte
4.     swabbed	14.    incidences	24.    yoga
5.     content	15.    paranormal	25.    disposition
6.     intentions	16.    glisten	26.    decades
7.     adequate	17.    specific
8.     cinch	18.    substantially
9.     composed	19.    enriching
10.    serene	20.    earnest

 

VOCABULARY - CHAPTER 1 

1.     glitch	11.    menace	21.    ludicrous
2.     theories	12.    diva	22.    ethnic
3.     Ciao	13.    dissipate	23.    monosyllabically
4.     sophistication	14.    suburban	24.    academic
5.     designate	15.    neoteric	25.    revolutions
6.     miscalculation	16.    paraphrase
7.     grimaces	17.    smirk
8.     co-exist	18.    whimpering
9.     siphons	19.    groves
10.    lurching	20.    comprehend

 

               

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