The Gift of the Magi Quiz

The details the playwright includes about Jim and Della’s Christmas tree at the beginning of Scene 1 help establish that __________. (Choose TWO correct answers.)

• Jim and Della are poor.

• Jim and Della love popcorn.

• Della’s hair is her most-prized possession.

• it is Christmastime

What is the most important way that Scene 2 contributes to the plot?

• It shows that the office where Jim works is cramped.

• It shows that Fred finds it hard to concentrate on his work.

• It establishes that Jim feels bad about not being able to buy Della a gift just as Della feels bad about not being able to buy Jim a gift.

• It reveals why Della decides to sell her hair.

In Scene 3, Jim “carefully polishes” his watch with his napkin before putting it back in his pocket. The playwright most likely included this detail to help the audience understand that

• Jim spilled coffee on his watch.

• Jim treasures his watch.

• Jim is a very tidy person.

• Jim has to work on the day before Christmas.

How do Jim and Della react when they realize that they’ve bought each other gifts that neither of them can use?

• They are full of regret for having given up their most prized possessions.

• They see the humor in the situation.

• They refuse to accept the truth.

• They are angry at each other for having wasted so much money.

Which TWO lines best support your answer to question 4?

(CHOOSE TWO!)

• SD2: Jim unwraps the box. He lifts the lid and stares inside.

• SD3: Ignoring Della’s request, Jim goes to the couch and sits down. He grins.

• Jim: Della, the fact is, I sold my watch to buy your combs.

• SD1: Della sits down next to Jim. A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

Which is Kristin Lewis’s main purpose for writing “What Do You Get From Giving?”

• to show why Della and Jim should not have bought such expensive gifts for each other

• to persuade readers to give more gifts to others

• to explain how gift-giving can affect the giver

• to encourage readers to donate money to an animal shelter instead of buying gifts

Match the following

• The desert landscape can be considered ______.

• befit

• A statue to honor a king would need to _____ his royal stature.

• haggle

• The poor boy's shirt was ______.

• threadbare

• If a bakery has hardly any money left after paying its bills, it could be said they are barely

• afloat

• The shop owner and customer often _____ over the price of produce.

• sparse

Match the following

• He left the party _____ because he was mad.

• reap

• Doctors in the 1800s often prescribed a ____ for sickness.

• tonic

• "You often ____ what you sow." Or you get what you deserve.

• unceremoniously

• My sister will ____ over whether or not her gift is good enough.

• agonize

• The light was ____ and glowing with intense heat.

• incandescent