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Literature Quiz

Total questions: 34

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the author known for according to the text?

a)

Writing a few short stories

b)

His wit, wordplay, and twist endings

c)

His famous novel

d)

His poetry

2.

What does the term "parsimony" imply in the context of the story?

a)

Generosity

b)

Wealth

c)

Extravagance

d)

Extreme unwillingness to spend money

3.

What is the reader advised to take notes about while reading the story?

a)

The historical context of the story

b)

The relationship between Jim and Della

c)

The author's life

d)

The setting of the story

4.

How much was the furnished flat per week?

a)

$8

b)

$87 cents

c)

$1.87

d)

$6

5.

What does the word "predominate" mean as used in the text?

a)

To be less important

b)

To be the strongest or main element

c)

To be rare or scarce

d)

To be the least significant

6.

What is the meaning of "vestibule" as used in the story?

a)

A small room for storage

b)

A type of furniture

c)

A room just inside the main doors of a building

d)

A private area for letters

7.

What was the original weekly income of the "Dillingham" before it shrank to $20?

a)

$30

b)

$25

c)

$40

d)

$15

8.

What did Della do after she finished crying?

a)

She went to buy Jim a present.

b)

She attended to her cheeks with the powder rag.

c)

She pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.

d)

She put on her old brown jacket and hat.

9.

What is the meaning of the word "sterling" as used in the text?

a)

To lower the value of something.

b)

Being of the highest standard or quality.

c)

A type of currency.

d)

An old-fashioned term for strong.

10.

What does the word "depreciate" mean according to the text?

a)

To increase in value over time.

b)

To remain constant in value.

c)

To lower the value of something, or to cause something to seem less valuable.

d)

To exchange something for money.

11.

What did Della do with her hair before leaving the house?

a)

She cut it short.

b)

She styled it in a fancy way.

c)

She pulled it down and let it fall to its full length.

d)

She tied it up neatly.

12.

How much did Madame pay Della for her hair?

a)

$20

b)

$87

c)

$1.87

d)

$10

13.

What did Della do with the money she received from selling her hair?

a)

She bought a new dress

b)

She repaired her old clothes

c)

She bought a platinum fob chain for Jim

d)

She saved it for future expenses

14.

What is the meaning of the word "meretricious" as used in the text?

a)

Costly and valuable

b)

Appearing attractive but having no real value

c)

Simple and unadorned

d)

Rare and unique

15.

What was Della's concern after selling her hair and before Jim arrived?

a)

That Jim would not recognize her

b)

That Jim would be angry with her for selling her hair

c)

That Jim would not find her pretty anymore

d)

That they would not have enough money for rent

16.

What task did Della undertake after selling her hair and before Jim's return?

a)

She went to buy groceries

b)

She prepared coffee and was cooking chops

c)

She cleaned the house

d)

She went to buy a new coat for Jim

17.

What did Della do with her hair?

a)

She styled it differently.

b)

She cut it off and sold it.

c)

She dyed it.

d)

She let it grow longer.

18.

Why did Della sell her hair?

a)

To buy a Christmas present for Jim.

b)

Because she didn't like her hair anymore.

c)

To afford a trip.

d)

To donate the money to charity.

19.

How did Jim react when he first saw Della after she sold her hair?

a)

He was angry.

b)

He was surprised but happy.

c)

He stared at her fixedly without any readable expression.

d)

He laughed.

20.

What did Jim give Della as a present?

a)

A set of combs.

b)

A new dress.

c)

A pair of shoes.

d)

A necklace.

21.

What is the meaning of the word "patent" as used in the text?

a)

A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention.

b)

An obvious fact or feature.

c)

A shiny surface.

d)

Related to intellectual property law.

22.

What did Della do with the combs after Jim had not yet seen his present?

a)

She put them away for later use.

b)

She sold them to buy Jim's present.

c)

She hugged them to her bosom.

d)

She threw them away in disappointment.

23.

How did Jim react when he tumbled down on the couch?

a)

He was angry and refused to look at Della.

b)

He put his hands under the back of his head and smiled.

c)

He immediately showed Della his present.

d)

He left the room to avoid the situation.

24.

What does the word "ardent" mean as used in the text?

a)

Indifferent or unemotional.

b)

Glowing or passionate.

c)

Cold or unfeeling.

d)

Lazy or lethargic.

25.

According to the narrator, who are the wisest in the story of "The Gift of the Magi"?

a)

The magi who invented the art of giving Christmas presents.

b)

The people who receive the most gifts.

c)

Della and Jim, despite their unwise sacrifices.

d)

Those who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest.

26.

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

a)

Your status doesn't define you

b)

Beauty isn't everything

c)

It's the thought that counts

d)

Unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts

27.

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

a)

It illustrates how rude Della is

b)

It illustrates how independent Della is

c)

It illustrates how expensive it is to live in London

d)

It illustrates how concerned with money Della is

28.

What is the purpose of paragraph 5's discussion of the name "Dillingham"?

a)

To show that the name is very common

b)

To indicate that the name has a prestigious history

c)

To suggest a change in the family's financial situation

d)

To introduce a new character in the story

29.

What does the term "pier-glass" mean, as it is used in paragraph 7?

a)

A. A section of decorative stained glass

b)

B. A mirror

c)

C. A window

d)

D. A peep-hole

30.

Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

a)

A. "Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat." (Paragraph 7)

b)

B. "...by observing his reflection..." (Paragraph 7)

c)

C. "Della, being slender, had mastered the art." (Paragraph 7)

d)

D. "...whirled from the window and stood before the glass." (Paragraph 8)

31.

How are Jim and Della similar to the Magi?

a)

A. Jim and Della are shopping for Christmas presents; the Magi invented the tradition of giving Christmas presents

b)

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

c)

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

d)

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

32.

Describe how the theme of sacrifice and love develop in this text.

a)

Through the characters' actions and the consequences they face.

b)

Through the setting and the time period of the story.

c)

Through the use of magical elements in the story.

d)

Through the narrator's commentary on society.

33.

What does 'The Gift of the Magi' teach us about love?

a)

Love is about grand gestures and expensive gifts.

b)

Love is demonstrated through selflessness and sacrifice.

c)

Love is most important during the holiday season.

d)

Love is not as important as family traditions.

34.

Considering the role of family in the story 'The Gift of the Magi,' what is the meaning of family?

a)

Family is defined by the gifts exchanged during the holidays.

b)

Family is about the shared experiences and support.

c)

Family is an obligation that the characters try to escape.

d)

Family is a secondary theme that is not explored in the story.