WorksheetsThe Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Total questions: 60
Worksheet time: 1hrs 19mins
"There was nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl." This quotation shows Della's sense of ___________________
responsibility
anger
grief
helplessness
"There was nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl." Which word in this quoted sentence indicates the couple's poverty?
nothing
flop
shabby
howl
"Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles..." is an example of ______________
simile
personification
onomatopoeia
alliteration
"Della finished her cry... and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard." The repetition of the word "gray" reinforces the ______________ mood.
dreary
holiday
colorful
boring
Jim's gold watch, his finest possession, is a family heirloom, inherited from his _______________ .
father
uncle
godfather
father-in-law
Della's hair reaches her ______________.
shoulders
waist
knees
calves
Della tells Madame Sofronie, "Give it to me quick," because Della does not want to ___________________.
cry
tell Jim
waste time
change her mind
Della wants a proper watch chain for Jim because his beautiful watch only has an old __________.
leather strap
worn ribbon
faded band
broken buckle
Why does Jim react so strangely when Della tells him she has sold her hair?
He thinks she looks like a chorus girl.
He is upset that she didn’t consult him.
He is ashamed of not being an adequate provider.
He has bought a gift for Della's beautiful long hair.
How much did Madame Sofronie give to Della for her hair?
$20.00
$30.00
$50.00
$1.87
Why does Jim react so strangely when he comes home and sees Della with short hair?
He is mad because she cut her hair.
He doesn’t recognize her.
He is upset that he had to sell his watch.
He is confused because he bought Della combs to use in her long hair.
Which statement best expresses the theme (LESSON) of the story?
Make sure you give people gifts they can actually use.
Spending time with people you love is more important than getting them gifts.
The love and sacrifice that goes into a gift is more important than the gift itself.
Don't waste money on expensive gifts.
What is the setting of the story?
Paris, France, 2000
New York City, 1900s
East Tennessee, 1890
The Appalachian Mountains, 1925
Della is conflicted because she knows she could get good money, but she has to self her hair.
What kind of conflict is this?
Individual vs. Society
Individual vs. Individual
Individual vs. Self
Individual vs. Technology
How much money does Della have at the beginning of the story?
2.00
3.00
1.87
2.87
Why is Jim's watch a prized possession?
It was his mother's watch
It was his father's watch
It was his grandmother's watch
It was his grandfather's watch
Sacrifice (giving up something) is a theme (big idea) in the story.
True
False
Money is a theme (big idea) in the story.
True
False
The story states "Della stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray back yard" This helps emphasize Della's:
Della's sad or deary
Della's confused
Della's angry
Della's sick
O' Henry's purpose in writing "The Gift of The Magi" was most likely:
to poke fun at people such as Della and Jim.
to make us realize how important material possessions truly are
to show that the best gifts come from the heart
Who was Madame Sofronie?
She sold Della the watch "fob" chain
She ran a hair goods store and bought Della's hair
She was the mother-in-law
The story can be classified as:
Fiction (made up/ not true)
Nonfiction (true story)
By the beginning of the story, the reader knows:
Della is poor and has been saving her money and "bargaining with the grocer and vegetable man"; She is counting her money.
Della is stressed about gift giving; the next day is Christmas.
All of the Above
So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her flowing and shining LIKE a cascade of brown waters. What literary device is present in the sentence?
Metaphor ( comparison between two unlike things using is or are)
Simile (comparison between two, unlike things, using like or as)
Which word best describes Jim and Della's marriage?
Difficult
Loving
Boring
What do you think? Why would an author use Situational Irony? What is the effect on the reader? What can you come up with? You may talk with classmates.
What is ironic about Della's gift to Jim?
She bought a chain for the watch Jim no longer has.
She bought the chain with Jim's own money.
Della did not get a good price for her hair.
Jim already has a watch chain.
Who were the original Magi?
Jim and Della
Adam and Eve
The three kings who gave gifts to the baby Jesus
the shepherds who traveled to see Jesus
Check all that apply: How does the reader know that Jim and Della care deeply for each other?
They sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to buy the perfect gift.
Della saved pennies for several months to buy Jim a gift.
They each wanted to buy something only if it was a good deal.
They each wanted to buy something that was perfect for the other person.
rite
wright
Which word means the same as correct?
write
right
wrong
These people have to ___________ in line.
weight
wait
wate
What are the thoughts that keep running on Della’s head the day before Christmas? How does she feel thinking about it? Have you ever had a difficult time looking for a gift for someone? Do you think a person is worth the sacrifice?
In "The Gift of the Magi," what does Della think of her hair?
proud
ashamed
indifferent
What role does the setting play in "The Gift of the Magi's" central theme?
It emphasizes the characters' affluence and privilege.
It highlights the characters' destitution and simplicity.
It demonstrates how disconnected from reality the characters are.
It displays the beautiful possessions of the characters.
How does the author describe Mme. Sofronie?
slender, carefree, and beautiful
large, too white, and chilly
quiet, simple, and loving
young, athletic, and brave
Why, after Della had informed him that her hair had been sold, did Jim keep looking for it?
because he bought a gift for Della’s hair
because he only loves Della’s beautiful hair
because he likes to sell Della’s hair
because he thinks Della is more beautiful with longer hair
How does the author describe Jim?
He is unassuming, thrifty, and perpetually pessimistic.
He has a fiery spirit, a lively disposition, and turbulent emotions.
He has an arrogant, icy personality and is quick to assess others' worth in terms of money.
Jim's unassuming goodness was compared to a platinum watch chain by the speaker.
Why are Della and Jim compared to the Magi (wise men)? Why are they foolish? Explain your answer thoroughly.
What was Della’s reaction when she received Jim’s? Why did she react like that? What would you do if you receive a gift that you could not use?
Is there a change of mood or tone when she sees the reflection of her hair in the mirror? What is it? What was on her mind seeing her hair?
What was on her mind while waiting for Jim? How did Jim react when she sees Della’s hair? What was Jim’s when he saw their gifts to each other?
How irony is illustrated by O. Henry in his story, “The Gift of Magi”? Explain what kind of irony is it. Provide some details from the story to justify this literary device.
How will you prove to somebody that you value him/her. Is it really necessary to give presents to loved ones on special holidays? Why or Why not? Justify your answer. Syntheses and integration (application to self and life)
How does this quotation, “Wealth is not necessarily defined by money”, serve to illustrate the theme in the story? Cite pieces of evidence from the reading passage.
What is situational irony?
when someone says the opposite of what they mean
when the opposite of what we expect to happen, happens.
when the audience knows something that the character don't
Realistic fiction has characters and plots that could actually happen in everyday life.
true
false
What is the definition of realistic fiction?
Could happen in real life
Actually happened in real life
Made up
Impossible events happen
Who is O. Henry and what was his contribution to the Literary World? What was his signature technique (forms, devices, genres) as a writer?
Why are Della and Jim compared to the Magi (wisemen)? Why are they foolish? Explain your answer thoroughly.
Do you think it was a wise decision to sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to demonstrate their love? Explain
