What word completes the quotation?"Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual __________ tavern."

To complete the quotation, the word that fits is "haunt." The full quote from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" reads: "Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual haunt tavern."

In this context, "haunt" refers to a place frequently visited or a location where one feels comfortable or familiar. In the story, this emphasizes Scrooge’s solitary and withdrawn nature. The use of the word "melancholy" also deepens the impression of his loneliness and discontented life. Scrooge’s choice of a tavern as a place to dine on his own reflects his miserly and isolated existence, providing a stark contrast to the themes of community, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas that develop throughout the story.