The Gift Of The Magi By O. Henry

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  • 1/33 Questions

    What is the themes of The Gift of the Magi?

    • Hate, Working, Pray
    • Wealth and Poverty, Generosity, Love
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Answer the questions about The Gift of The Magi By O. Henry.

The Gift Of The Magi Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    How does Jim earn enough money to be able to buy his wife a Christmas present?

    • He works day and night for 3 weeks.

    • He sells his most prized possession, his watch

    • He offers to clean houses in the neighborhood

    • He does not get enough money and does not buy the present

    Correct Answer
    A. He sells his most prized possession, his watch
    Explanation
    Jim earns enough money to buy his wife a Christmas present by selling his most prized possession, his watch. This implies that Jim values his wife's happiness more than his attachment to his watch, as he is willing to part with it in order to afford the gift.

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  • 3. 

    Why is Della unhappy at the beginning of the story?

    • She found out her husband was having an affair

    • She has long hair and wants short hair

    • Can not visit her mother and father for Christmas

    • She has very little money to buy her husband a present

    Correct Answer
    A. She has very little money to buy her husband a present
    Explanation
    Della is unhappy at the beginning of the story because she has very little money to buy her husband a present. This is evident from the fact that she only has $1.87 and she wants to buy a meaningful gift for her husband. Her unhappiness stems from her inability to afford a worthy present for her husband, which makes her feel inadequate and disappointed.

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  • 4. 

    Who wrote the Gift of the Magi?

    • Roald Dahl

    • James Hurst

    • O. Henry

    Correct Answer
    A. O. Henry
    Explanation
    O. Henry is the correct answer because he is the author of the short story "The Gift of the Magi." This story was first published in 1905 and has since become a beloved Christmas tale. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to buy each other the perfect Christmas gift. The story is known for its twist ending and its themes of love, sacrifice, and the true meaning of gift-giving.

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  • 5. 

    What did Jim buy Della for Christmas?

    • Combs for her hair

    • New kittens

    • A new yellow sundress

    • A hairbrush

    Correct Answer
    A. Combs for her hair
    Explanation
    Jim bought Della combs for her hair for Christmas.

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  • 6. 

    Moving with ease

    • Agile

    • Discreet

    • Coveted

    Correct Answer
    A. Agile
    Explanation
    Agile means being able to move quickly and easily. It implies the ability to adapt and respond swiftly to changes or challenges. The other options, "discreet" means being careful or cautious, "coveted" means desired or highly valued. While these words have their own meanings, they do not convey the same idea as "moving with ease" or being agile. Therefore, "agile" is the correct answer.

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  • 7. 

    When Jim sees Della's short hair, he realizes

    • She has been to the beauty parlor

    • He likes the new look

    • She couldn't always have long hair

    • His gift to her will be useless

    Correct Answer
    A. His gift to her will be useless
    Explanation
    When Jim sees Della's short hair, he realizes that his gift to her will be useless. This implies that the gift he had planned to give her was something related to her long hair, such as hair accessories or products. However, since she now has short hair, these gifts would no longer be suitable or practical for her.

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  • 8. 

    Waterfall

    • Scrutiny

    • Cascade

    • Agile

    Correct Answer
    A. Cascade
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "cascade" because a cascade refers to a series of waterfalls or a process in which something falls or is passed down through a series of stages. In the context of the given words, "waterfall" and "cascade" are closely related as both terms describe the flow of water in a descending manner. "Scrutiny" and "agile" do not have the same meaning as "cascade" and are therefore not the correct answer.

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  • 9. 

    How much money did Della earn when she cut and sold her hair?

    • 5

    • 30

    • 10

    • 20

    Correct Answer
    A. 20
    Explanation
    Della earned 20 dollars when she cut and sold her hair.

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  • 10. 

    While on vacation, we stood and watched the _____ of water fall over the cliff and into the river.

    • Cascade

    • Agile

    • Vestibule

    • Assertion

    Correct Answer
    A. Cascade
    Explanation
    The word "cascade" is the correct answer because it is the only option that fits the context of the sentence. The sentence describes standing and watching something fall over a cliff and into a river, which perfectly aligns with the definition of a cascade. "Agile" means nimble or quick, "vestibule" refers to an entrance or hallway, and "assertion" means a confident statement, none of which make sense in this context.

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  • 11. 

    Making something seem less important; lower the value of

    • Depreciate

    • Ransacking

    • Nimble

    Correct Answer
    A. Depreciate
    Explanation
    Depreciate means to lower the value or importance of something. It is often used in the context of financial assets or property that decreases in value over time. This term can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of making something seem less important or diminishing its worth.

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  • 12. 

     slightly burned

    • Singed

    • Deprecited

    • Discreet

    Correct Answer
    A. Singed
  • 13. 

    In the poem Luxury by Nikki Giovanni, the author concludes that what is the ultimate luxury in life?

    • Wealth

    • Fame

    • Love

    • Fortune

    Correct Answer
    A. Love
    Explanation
    In the poem "Luxury" by Nikki Giovanni, the author explores the concept of luxury and ultimately concludes that love is the ultimate luxury in life. Through the poem, Giovanni suggests that material wealth, fame, and fortune may bring temporary pleasure and satisfaction, but they cannot compare to the enduring power and fulfillment that love brings. Love is portrayed as something that transcends material possessions and societal recognition, and it is the true source of happiness and contentment.

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  • 14. 

    Close inspection

    • Scrutiny

    • Cascade

    • Nimble

    Correct Answer
    A. Scrutiny
    Explanation
    The word "scrutiny" means close inspection or careful examination. It is the most appropriate choice among the given options as it directly relates to the phrase "close inspection" mentioned in the question. "Cascade" means a waterfall or a series of things falling one after another, which does not fit the context. "Nimble" means quick and agile, which is unrelated to the concept of inspection. Therefore, "scrutiny" is the correct answer.

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  • 15. 

    Bobby_____ a fight in the lunch room and the principal gave him a detention.

    • Agile

    • Coveted

    • Cascade

    • Instigated

    Correct Answer
    A. Instigated
    Explanation
    The word "instigated" means to initiate or provoke something, usually with negative connotations. In the given sentence, Bobby is being blamed for starting a fight in the lunch room, which resulted in him receiving a detention from the principal. Therefore, "instigated" is the correct answer as it accurately describes Bobby's role in the situation.

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  • 16. 

    Why does the author call Jim and Della foolish?

    • Because they were not in love

    • Because they did not spend Christmas together

    • Because they sold their most prized possession

    • Because they were not a wealthy couple

    Correct Answer
    A. Because they sold their most prized possession
    Explanation
    The author calls Jim and Della foolish because they sold their most prized possession. This suggests that they made a foolish decision by parting with something that held great value to them. It implies that they prioritized something materialistic over their emotional attachment to the possession, which the author deems as foolish.

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  • 17. 

    The __________ basketball player moved quickly up and down the court.

    • Inconsequential

    • Assertion

    • Cascade

    • Agile

    Correct Answer
    A. Agile
    Explanation
    The word "agile" is the correct answer because it means to be able to move quickly and easily. In the context of the sentence, it is describing a basketball player who moves swiftly up and down the court. The other three options - inconsequential, assertion, and cascade - do not convey the same meaning of quick and nimble movement.

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  • 18. 

    Searching thoroughly

    • Discreet

    • Instigates

    • Ransacking

    Correct Answer
    A. Ransacking
    Explanation
    The word "ransacking" means to search a place thoroughly, often in a disorderly or violent manner, in order to find something or steal valuables. This term perfectly fits the context of the given options, as it implies a thorough and possibly aggressive search. The other options, "searching thoroughly," "discreet," and "instigates," do not convey the same sense of a forceful or chaotic search, making "ransacking" the correct answer.

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  • 19. 

    In the title, The Gift of the Magi, who do the Magi refer to?

    • The Three Musketeers

    • Jim, Della's husband

    • The three wisemen that brought the gifts to the infant Jesus

    • The man in the story that sold Della the watchfor Jim

    Correct Answer
    A. The three wisemen that brought the gifts to the infant Jesus
    Explanation
    The title "The Gift of the Magi" refers to the three wisemen who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. The term "Magi" is often associated with the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, where the three wisemen traveled from the East to offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby. In the context of the story, the title suggests that the gift-giving theme and selflessness of the Magi will be explored.

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  • 20. 

    When Della sees her present from Jim she first reacts with joy and quickly she begins crying.  Which of the following statements is what Della said in reaction to her gift?

    • Jim, I bought those for myself

    • Oh Jim, you are so sweet

    • My hair grows so fast Jim

    • Take them back , I do not want them

    Correct Answer
    A. My hair grows so fast Jim
    Explanation
    Della's reaction of crying after seeing her present suggests that she is disappointed with the gift. The statement "My hair grows so fast Jim" implies that the gift is related to her hair, possibly hair accessories or products. This reaction suggests that Della was hoping for something different or more meaningful, and the gift does not meet her expectations.

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  • 21. 

    Which of the following definitions is the correct definition for situational irony?

    • The contrast between what the reader or character expects and what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens

    • Occurs when someone says something and means another

    • A character that provides a striking contrast to anotherprovides a striking contrast to another

    • A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things

    Correct Answer
    A. The contrast between what the reader or character expects and what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the contrast between what the reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens. Situational irony is a literary device where there is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens in a situation. It often involves a twist or unexpected outcome that surprises the reader or characters. This definition accurately captures the essence of situational irony by highlighting the contrast between expectations and reality.

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  • 22. 

    Used longed for

    • Cascade

    • Mar

    • Conveted

    Correct Answer
    A. Conveted
    Explanation
    The given answer "conveted" is incorrect. It seems to be a misspelling of the word "converted." The correct form of the verb in this context would be "converted," which means to change or transform something into a different form or use. The other words provided in the question, "used," "longed for," "cascade," and "mar," do not relate to the correct answer.

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  • 23. 

    The use of good judgement and common sense

    • Prudence

    • Assertion

    • Cascade

    • Vestibule

    Correct Answer
    A. Prudence
    Explanation
    Prudence refers to the act of using good judgement and common sense. It involves making careful and cautious decisions, considering the potential risks and consequences. Prudence is often associated with being wise and thoughtful in one's actions, taking into account the long-term effects and being proactive in avoiding unnecessary harm or mistakes. Therefore, prudence is the most suitable term to describe the use of good judgement and common sense.

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  • 24. 

    Gives rise to ; cause

    • Singed

    • Cascade

    • Instigates

    Correct Answer
    A. Instigates
    Explanation
    Instigates is the correct answer because it means to provoke or initiate an action or event. It is synonymous with "gives rise to" or "causes" in this context. Singed and cascade do not have the same meaning and are not appropriate synonyms for "gives rise to".

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  • 25. 

    Showing good judment in what one says or does; being especially silent or careful.

    • Scrutiny

    • Discreet

    • Coveted

    Correct Answer
    A. Discreet
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "discreet." Discreet means showing good judgment in what one says or does, being especially silent or careful. This word implies the ability to keep things private and not draw unnecessary attention to oneself. It suggests a sense of caution and thoughtfulness in decision-making.

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  • 26. 

    A statement

    • Assertion

    • Vestibule

    • Prudence

    • Chronicle

    Correct Answer
    A. Assertion
    Explanation
    An assertion is a statement or declaration that is made with confidence and certainty. It is a strong and definite statement that is backed by evidence or belief. The other options, such as "vestibule" (a small entrance hall), "prudence" (cautiousness), and "chronicle" (a record of events), do not align with the definition of an assertion. Therefore, the correct answer is "assertion."

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  • 27. 

    Most important or frequent

    • Agile

    • Coveted

    • Predominating

    • Inconsequential

    Correct Answer
    A. Predominating
    Explanation
    The word "predominating" means having the greatest influence or control over others. Out of the given options, "predominating" is the most suitable word that describes something as being the most important or frequent. It implies that the subject or thing in question has a dominant or prevailing presence, making it the primary or most significant aspect.

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  • 28. 

    For Jed it was a huge task, but he knew he would have to finish the project. He picked up his schoolbooks with a sense of purpose.

    • Fancy diction

    • Simpler diction

    • Simplest diction

    Correct Answer
    A. Simpler diction
    Explanation
    The given passage suggests that Jed is facing a challenging task but is determined to complete it. This implies that he is focused and serious about his work. The phrase "picked up his schoolbooks with a sense of purpose" indicates that Jed is taking action and getting ready to work on his project. The term "simpler diction" is the most suitable answer because it conveys the idea that Jed's language or choice of words is straightforward and uncomplicated, aligning with his practical and determined attitude.

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  • 29. 

    The _______ puppy was wanted by all the little children at the park.

    • Predominating

    • Chronicle

    • Agile

    • Coveted

    Correct Answer
    A. Coveted
    Explanation
    The word "coveted" means to be greatly desired or sought after. In the given sentence, it suggests that all the little children at the park wanted the puppy very much. The word "coveted" accurately conveys the idea that the puppy was highly prized and wanted by everyone.

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  • 30. 

    To create a surprising ending in "The Gift of The Magi, "O. Henry

    • Keeps one character hidden

    • Withholds important information

    • Does not let the characters meet

    • Explains right away what the characters know

    Correct Answer
    A. Withholds important information
    Explanation
    In "The Gift of The Magi," O. Henry creates a surprising ending by withholding important information. Throughout the story, the author cleverly conceals the fact that both main characters have made sacrifices to buy each other gifts that are now useless. This information is only revealed at the end, creating a twist that surprises the reader and adds depth to the story. By keeping this crucial detail hidden, O. Henry effectively builds suspense and enhances the impact of the story's resolution.

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  • 31. 

    Quickly moving

    • Ransacking

    • Agile

    • Nimble

    Correct Answer
    A. Nimble
    Explanation
    Nimble means being quick and agile in movement. It suggests the ability to move quickly and easily, often with grace and precision. In the context of the given options, "nimble" is the best fit as it aligns with the idea of being quick and agile. "Quickly moving" is a phrase that describes the action of moving fast but does not capture the agility and gracefulness implied by "nimble." "Ransacking" refers to searching through something in a disorderly and destructive manner, which is unrelated to the concept of being quick and agile. "Agile" is a synonym of nimble, but it is not the correct answer as it is not the best fit in the given options.

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  • 32. 

    Jed knew that anenomous task had befallen him: nevertheless he forged ahead and proceeded to locate the volumes of learning that would help him.

    • Simplest diction

    • Fancy diction

    • Simpler diction

    Correct Answer
    A. Fancy diction
    Explanation
    The given passage suggests that Jed is facing a difficult task, but he still continues to move forward and search for the books that will assist him. The phrase "anenomous task" indicates that the task is challenging or burdensome. The use of the word "forged" implies that Jed is determined and persistent in his pursuit. The phrase "volumes of learning" suggests that he is looking for scholarly or educational resources. Therefore, the passage uses more elaborate or sophisticated language, which can be categorized as "fancy diction."

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  • 33. 

    "What a chore, but someone has to get this work done," mumbled Jed. He grabbed his bookbag.

    • Simplest dictation

    • Fancy diction

    • Simpler of diction

    Correct Answer
    A. Simplest dictation
    Explanation
    The phrase "What a chore, but someone has to get this work done" suggests that Jed is expressing his dissatisfaction with the task at hand. This indicates that he prefers a straightforward and uncomplicated way of speaking, which aligns with the term "simplest dictation." The other options, "fancy diction" and "simpler of diction," do not accurately capture Jed's attitude or preference for simplicity.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 19, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 11, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Verdun
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