The Gift of the Magi

Where and when does “The Gift of the Magi” take place?

• an American city in the present

• a small town in France around 1900

• on the U.S.-Mexican border around 1950

• an American city around 1905

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What is Della’s problem in the story?

• She wants to buy Jim a gift but has very little money.

• She wants to know how to deal with Jim’s reactions.

• She wants to move to a new apartment but cannot afford it.

• She wants to return the watch fob chain she bought for Jim.

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Which of the following is the best definition of an inference?

• a harsh criticism

• an educated guess

• an accurate retelling

• a repetition

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What does O. Henry mean when he says that “life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating”?

• Overall, life is sad.

• Della is a crybaby.

• People often get sick.

• Women express their emotions openly.

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What inference can you draw about Della from the following passage?

“Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied.”

• She was very stingy and hated to go shopping.

• She tried to save every cent she could from her very tight budget.

• She chose her groceries carefully and enjoyed arguing with the store owners.

• She did not like to be overcharged for her groceries.

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In which of the following items is situational irony best defined?

• a contrast between the two leading characters in a story

• a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

• a parallel between the beginning of a story and the end

• a humorous scene in an otherwise serious story

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What inference about Jim can you make from details in O. Henry’s story?

• He is serious and responsible.

• He is fun-loving and carefree.

• He is proud and standoffish.

• He is shy and retiring.

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When Jim first sees Della’s haircut, why does he have a “peculiar expression” on his face?

• He is angry with her for cutting her hair.

• He is confused about what makes her look different.

• He realizes that the combs he bought for her are useless.

• He thinks that she is very unattractive.

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What does Jim’s reaction to Della’s gift reveal about him?

• He is hot-tempered.

• He is unappreciative.

• He is disapproving.

• He is forgiving.

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How does O. Henry foreshadow the surprise ending in the story?

• He describes Della as reckless, so readers are prepared for the sale of her hair.

• Della and Jim are so deeply in love that their sacrifice is believable.

• Jim has often hinted to Della that he wants a new fob and chain for his watch.

• Della has always wanted to try a new hairstyle.

  
  

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