The Gift of the Magi

Around which holiday does the story take place?

• Christmas

• Thanksgiving

• Halloween

• Easter

What main problem does Della face?

• She doesn't know what to buy Jim for Christmas.

• She lost the money she was going to use to buy Jim's Christmas present.

• She only has $1.87 to buy a Christmas present for Jim.

• She cannot find the present she had bought Jim for Christmas

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

Della's hair is extremely valuable.

What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

• Della's hair reached below her knees and made itself almost a garment for her.

• When Della's head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls, she looked wonderfully like a truant schoolboy.

• Della's hair grew awfully fast.

• Had the queen lived next door, Della would have hung her hair out the window to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.W.8.9A

Before revealing her haircut to Jim, Della says, "Please God, make him think I am still pretty."

How does Jim feel about Della after he discovers her new haircut?

• He doesn't like Della's haircut, but he won't say so.

• He doesn't like Della any less than he had before.

• He thinks Della looks even better after the haircut.

• He thinks Della should have sold even more of her hair.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is the theme of this story?

• The gifts appreciated most by the people receiving them are the most expensive gifts.

• A willingness to sacrifice for someone you love is the most valuable gift of all.

• You shouldn't compare the gift you receive from someone with the gift you gave that person.

• Exchanging gifts with someone is the best way to show your love for that person.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read these sentences from the text:

"[Della] stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present."

Why might the author have repeated the word "gray" in the first sentence?

• to inform the reader about the time of day

• to demonstrate Della's lack of imagination

• to reflect Della's mood in this moment

• to ensure the reader remembers the color of the cat

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

__________ Della took a mighty pride in her hair, she cut it all off for twenty dollars.

• Because

• Although

• Since

• Whenever

What did the magi invent?

• The art of weaves and hair extensions.

• The art of appreciating Easter.

• The art of magic and love.

• The art of giving Christmas presents.