THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

Which sentence from the passage provides the best insight into Della’s feelings for Jim?

• A. “A furnished flat at $8 per week.”

• B. “Only 1.87 to buy a present for Jim.”

• C. “‘Will you buy my hair?’ asked Della.

• D. “‘Please God, make him think I am still pretty.’”

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.W.9-10.9

What can the reader infer from the following passage?

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

• A. Della is upset that her clothes are worn.

• B. Della is upset because her hair is wet.

• C. Della is bothered that she has to find a gift for Jim.

• D. Della decides to sell her hair, and briefly mourns the loss of her favorite feature.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence from the passage provides the best example of suspense within the story?

• A. “Jim was never late.”

• B. “The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it.”

• C. “He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.”

• D. “Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

For which of the following reasons does the author most likely include the story of the magi in the last paragraph?

• A. To show that Della and Jim should have given the same gifts as the magi.

• B. To show that Della and Jim represent the spirit of giving through love.

• C. To show that Della and Jim need to learn generosity.

• D. To show that Della and Jim chose poor gifts for one another.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which inference can be best made about Della?

• A. She wants to please Jim.

• B. She is persuaded easily.

• C. She fears being alone.

• D. She is self-absorbed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which inference can be best made about Jim?

• A. He is judgmental.

• B. He is successful.

• C. He is arrogant.

• D. He is caring.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

Match each underlined vocabulary word with its corresponding synonym:

bullying

• accusation

• bulldozing

• imputation

• chaste

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Match each underlined vocabulary word with its corresponding synonym:

accusation

• bulldozing

• imputation

• chaste

• meretircious

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Match each underlined vocabulary word with its corresponding synonym:

plain

• bulldozing

• imputation

• meretircious

• chaste

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

Match each underlined vocabulary word with its corresponding synonym:

valueless

• meretircious

• chaste

• imputation

• bullying

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A