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.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.10

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.

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CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.10

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

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CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

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)

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

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.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

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.

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CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

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.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

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)

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

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

• to represent

• to support

• to triumph

• to contradict

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CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4