8th Grade ELA Standards Review (Plus Gift of the Magi)

Part A : Which statement best describes why Della decided to cut her hair?

• It was too long and became a hassle to maintain.

• She wanted to sell it to have money to buy Jim a present.

• She wanted to sell it because it grows so quickly, it would be easy to replace.

• It was so beautiful that everyone was jealous of her.

PART B: Which detail from the text supports your answer to part A?

• “Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts.” (Paragraph 1)

• “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.” (Paragraph 2)

• “I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present.” (Paragraph 20

• “But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!" (Paragraph 30)

PART A: What are two themes that are developed in the passage?

• The best way to show love is through gifts; Sacrifice is the key to a happy relationship.

• In order to show someone love, it is necessary to buy them gifts; The most expensive gifts are the ones worth buying.

• Love means putting others’ needs before your own; The greatest gift one can receive is love.

• Expensive gifts are worth more than gifts from the heart; Love is not enough to make a relationship work.

PART B: How are the themes in part A developed in the passage?

• Through the character’s actions

• Through figurative language

• Through the character’s dialogue

• Through a description of the setting

How are the perspectives of Della and James similar?

• They both view gifts as the best way to show love.

• They both think that making a sacrifice is the best way to show love.

• They both view love as something to be shown through material things.

• They both are determined to buy the best gift. 

Which detail from the text demonstrates how Della and James have similar perspectives?

• “Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present.” (Paragraph 10)

• “They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession.” (Paragraph 30)

• “I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” (Paragraph 36)

Read the following sentence from paragraph 21: 

"You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.

What synonym matches the definition of the word laboriously as used in this sentence?

• Forcefully

• Easily

• Strenuously

• Effortlessly

Read the following sentence from paragraph 18:

Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. 

The prefix im- means not and the suffix -able means can be. Which word means immovable as used in the sentence?

• Secure

• Flexible

• Unsteady

• Rooted

Which of the following is an example of foreshadowing in a story?

• A character suddenly experiences a moment of deep reflection.

• A character receives a mysterious letter that hints at a future event.

• A character describes their favorite childhood memory in great detail.

• A character makes a difficult decision that leads to an unexpected consequence.

"The wind howled through the empty streets, and dark clouds gathered overhead. The faint sound of distant thunder echoed in the distance, making the air thick with tension. Every step felt heavier, as if the world was waiting for something to happen."

Which of the following best describes the mood of this passage?

• Mysterious and suspenseful

• Joyful and lighthearted

• Calm and peaceful

• Hopeful and optimistic