SAT Story Time #02 - Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen

What is the main theme of "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"?

• The importance of keeping holiday traditions

• The consequences of overeating

• The struggles of the working class

• The unpredictable nature of fate

Answer explanation

The story revolves around the tradition between Stuffy Pete and the Old Gentleman, emphasizing the sentimental value of rituals rather than their practical outcomes.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Based on Stuffy Pete’s reaction when he sees the Old Gentleman approaching, the reader can infer that Stuffy Pete:

• Is eager to share another meal with his benefactor

• Feels obligated to accept the meal despite already being full

• Wishes to express his gratitude for the tradition

• Plans to explain his situation truthfully to the Old Gentleman

Answer explanation

Stuffy Pete is already stuffed from an earlier feast, but he still agrees to eat again because he does not want to disappoint the Old Gentleman.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In paragraph 6, the word benefactor most nearly means:

• Friend

• Employer

• Financial supporter

• Opponent

Answer explanation

Benefactor refers to someone who gives help, especially financial or material assistance. The Old Gentleman provides meals for Stuffy Pete each Thanksgiving.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does the Old Gentleman’s motivation for feeding Stuffy Pete change the meaning of the story?

• It highlights his selfish need to be appreciated

• It suggests that he is lonely and wishes he had a son

• It demonstrates that he enjoys giving to others without expecting anything in return

• It proves that he looks down on the poor and sees himself as superior

Answer explanation

The story hints at the Old Gentleman’s desire for a son to carry on the tradition after he is gone, adding depth to his motivations.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Why does O. Henry include the final revelation about the Old Gentleman’s condition?

• To create an ironic twist that highlights the true nature of sacrifice

• To emphasize that generosity can have negative consequences

• To show that Stuffy Pete was ultimately ungrateful

• To suggest that wealth and poverty are interchangeable

Answer explanation

The ending reveals that while Stuffy Pete ate too much, the Old Gentleman had been starving for days. This irony highlights the unspoken sacrifices and assumptions each character makes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Choose the best revision for the underlined portion: The Old Gentleman led Stuffy southward to the restaurant, and to the table where the feast had always occurred.

• No change

• The Old Gentleman led Stuffy southward to the restaurant and the table where the feast had always occurred.

• The Old Gentleman led Stuffy southward, to the restaurant and to the table where the feast had always occurred.

• The Old Gentleman, leading Stuffy southward, took him to the restaurant, and the table where the feast had always occurred.

Answer explanation

The original sentence is grammatically correct and maintains clarity. Other options introduce awkward phrasing or unnecessary commas.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which choice best eliminates wordiness while maintaining the original meaning? Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman spoke his speech rather sadly.

• Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman spoke so sadly.

• Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman always seemed sad when he spoke.

• Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman had a tendency to be sad in his speech.

• Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman’s words carried sadness.

Answer explanation

This option eliminates redundancy without changing meaning. “Spoke his speech rather sadly” is wordy compared to “spoke so sadly.”

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

In the sentence, "For ten minutes, Stuffy Pete gazed straight ahead. Then he became aware that he desired a slightly different field of vision." Which transition would best replace Then to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship?

• Consequently

• However

• At that moment

• Because

Answer explanation

This best clarifies the sequence of events. “Then” is vague, while “At that moment” shows a more natural shift in focus.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

The narrator describes Stuffy Pete’s struggle to eat the meal as a battle and compares him to a valiant hero. What is the effect of this figurative language?

• It highlights the comedy of Stuffy Pete’s predicament

• It suggests that Stuffy Pete is a true warrior in life

• It emphasizes the contrast between the Old Gentleman’s generosity and Stuffy’s suffering

• It implies that eating a large meal is physically demanding

Answer explanation

The exaggerated comparison of eating to a heroic battle adds humor, showing the irony of his forced indulgence.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does O. Henry use irony to enhance the impact of the story’s ending?

• He shows that both characters suffer despite their good intentions

• He reveals that Stuffy Pete tricked the Old Gentleman into feeding him twice

• He contrasts Stuffy Pete’s gluttony with the Old Gentleman’s generosity

• He suggests that true Thanksgiving traditions involve suffering

Answer explanation

The irony is that Stuffy Pete overeats out of obligation, while the Old Gentleman, who was actually starving, insists on giving rather than receiving.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4