English I Fall Semester Exam Review

Answer questions for "The Gift of the Magi" here.

1. Which of the following best states a theme from the story?

• Your status doesn’t define you

• Beauty isn’t everything

• Unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts

• It’s the thought that counts

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

2. How does the first paragraph help develop the plot of the story?

• It illustrates how rude Della is

• It illustrates how independent Della is

• It illustrates how concerned with money Della is

• It illustrates how expensive it is to live in London

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

3. Irony is when something unexpected happens in the story. Explain how the ending of "The Gift of the Magi" is ironic.

• They both traded/gave away what they hoped to enhance for the other.

• They both thought what they hadn't was insignificant.

• They realized that true love isn't selfish at all.

• They were disappointed in the gifts they received.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

4. PART A: What does the term “pier-glass” mean, as it is used in paragraph 7?

• A section of decorative stained glass

• A mirror

• A peep-hole

• A window

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

5. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat.” (Paragraph 7)

• “...by observing his reflection...” (Paragraph 7)

• “...whirled from the window and stood before the glass.” (Paragraph 8)

• “Della, being slender, had mastered the art.” (Paragraph 7)

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

6. Reread

paragraph 45. How are Jim and Della similar to the Magi?

• Jim & Della are shopping for Christmas presents; the Magi invented the tradition of giving presents.

• Jim and Della make great sacrifices to give each other special Christmas gifts.

• Jim and Della are deeply religious, and hold the Magi in high esteem.

• Jim and Della are poor and cannot give each other what they want for Christmas.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

7. How is tension built throughout the passage?

• Their financial struggle makes the reader question whether they'll be able to give the perfect gifts to each other.

• The description of Della's hair makes readers wonder why Jim would want to give her the combs.

• Della's crying at seeing her gift creates tension because she regrets cutting her hair for his chain.

• Shortening their last name makes readers question if they are in trouble with the law.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Answer the following questions from "The Bright Side of Sadness."

8. PART A: Which TWO of the following statements best express the central ideas of the

article?

• Humans are more efficient when they are sad because they are not as motivated by positive emotions.

• Sadness can be a beneficial emotion in regards to behavior, memory, judgment, and communication.

• While sadness does have its benefits, chronic happiness is overall a more beneficial and healthy emotional state.

• Psychologists still have much to learn about the complex benefits of different emotions because of the stigma against studying negative ones.

• Both happiness and sadness, as well as other moods, serve a biological purpose as sources of information.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

PART B: Which TWO of the following quotes best support the answer to Part A?

• “For good evolutionary reasons, positive and negative moods subtly recruit thinking styles suited to either benign or troubling situations” (Paragraph 4)

• “That account of how feelings influence thought seemed incomplete to the aspiring psychologist.” (Paragraph 10)

• “Many emotion theorists now agree that negative moods direct attention to tasks at hand and promote analytical thinking” (Paragraph 18)

• “People often judge those that they meet for the first time by assuming that obvious but often irrelevant traits” (Paragraph 23)

• “‘Happy people experience a lot more positive than negative moods, and their negative moods are not chronic.’” (Paragraph 40)

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

PART A: What does the word “champion” mean as used in paragraph 1?

• to represent

• to support

• to triumph

• to contradict

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4