Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
Suggestions for you
35 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple Choice
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 her that is no longer usable.
- 2. Multiple ChoiceHow much did Mrs. Sophie give to Della for her hair?$20.00$30.00$50.00$1.87
- 3. Multiple ChoiceWhat did Jim sell in order to buy Della a gift?His watch chainHis hairHis walking caneHis pocket watch
- 4. Multiple Choice
What is Della’s concern as she waits for Jim to come home?
She worries that Jim won’t like the present.
She is concerned that he won’t like the chops that she is making for dinner.
She is concerned because Jim is arriving home later than usual.
She is concerned that he will no longer think she is pretty.
- 5. Multiple Choice
How much money did Della have at the beginning of the story?
21.87
60 cents
1.87
Story did not say
- 6. Multiple Choice
What was Jim's most prized possession?
his father's coat
his pocket watch
his hair
His wife
- 7. Multiple Choice
What was Della's most prized possession?
her hair
a diamond necklace
her mom's ring
her husband
- 8. Multiple Choice
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
- 9. Multiple Choice
What is the best theme for the story?
to give gifts out of sacrificial love
to tell people what you are getting them for Christmas so mistakes won't happen
to give gifts because they gave you a gift
to save money so when Christmas comes you will have money
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which statement best expresses the theme 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 o expensive gifts.
- 11. Multiple Choice
What is the setting of the story?
Paris, France, 2000
New York City, 1900s
East Tennessee, 1890
The Appalachian Mountains, 1925
- 12. Multiple Choice
How was Della feeling at the beginning of the story?
excited because Christmas was tomorrow
proud because she managed to save up money for Jim’s gift
upset because she didn’t have much money to spend on a gift for Jim
concerned because she thought Jim would be upset if he didn’t get a nice gift
- 13. Multiple ChoiceWhat type of irony is used in this story?Situational IronyDramatic IronyVerbal Irony
- 14. Multiple ChoiceThe exchange of gifts between Jim and Della is the ______.expositionrising actionclimaxresolution
- 15. Multiple ChoiceWhen we as readers are called upon to think about the sacrifices that Jim and Della make for each other, this is the ______.falling actionclimaxresolutionpoint of view
- 16. Multiple ChoiceThe point of view is _____.firstthird limitedthird omniscientsecond
- 17. Multiple ChoiceWhen we can predict that Jim has sold his watch to buy the combs, this is called _____.a flashbackforeshadowingthemesetting
- 18. Multiple Choice
How does the setting impact the story?Christmas time informs the reader that giving is an important element of the storyWinter time informs the reader that the actions of the characters will be similarly coldBeing set a long time ago, it helps us understand why they are poorBeing set in London, we can't relate to the foreign characters - 19. Multiple ChoiceAt the beginning of the story Jim says, “I may be poor, Della, but I’m the luckiest man in all New York.” Why does Jim feel lucky?He knows Della is going to buy him a beautiful watch chain for Christmas.He thinks he is about to get a promotion at work.He loves window-shoppingHe has a wonderful wife, and they love each other.
- 20. Multiple ChoiceWhat is the irony in Jim's gift to Della?He buys her hair combs and she does not like them.He buys her hair combs and she has cut off her hair.He does not have enough money in the end to buy her anything.He writes a poem about her beautiful hair.
- 21. Multiple ChoiceName the conflict: Della is conflicted because she knows she could get good money for her hair.Man vs. SocietyMan vs. ManMan vs. Self
- 22. Multiple ChoiceName the conflict: Jim and Della struggle to make end's meet and do not have enough money to buy each other a gift.Man vs. SocietyMan vs. Man
- 23. Multiple ChoiceWhich quote from O. Henry's story "The Gift of the Magi" best describes the THEME of his story?"Please God, make him think I'm still pretty" (Henry 4)."Because it was so plain and simple, you knew it was very valuable" (Henry 3)."I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me love my girl any less" (Henry 4)"If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della would have washed and dried her hair where the queen could see it" (Henry 2).
- 24. Multiple Choice
What does the narrator mean when they say after Della sold her hair, “Two hours ‘tripped by on rosy wings?”
She was worried
She felt very unhappy
She had ups and downs
She was not thinking clearly
- 25. Multiple Choice
“There was nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl.” This quotation shows Della’s sense of __________.
Grief
Anger
Helplessness
Responsibility
- 26. Multiple Choice
“There was nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl.” Which word in this quote indicates the couple’s poverty?
Nothing
Shabby
Howl
Flop
- 27. Multiple Choice
“Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles …” is an example of ____.
simile
alliteration
personification
onomatopoeia
- 28. Multiple Choice
What impact does the quote, “Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles …” have on the tone of the selection?
conflicted
serious
gloomy
happy
- 29. Multiple Choice
“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.
Colorful
Holiday
Dreary
Boring
- 30. Multiple Choice
“Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window … just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts.” This biblical reference alludes to a famous ancient Arabian monarch known for her wealth and beauty. The purpose of this comparison is to show how _____ Della’s hair is.
Long
Shiny
Blond
Magnificent
- 31. Multiple Choice
“Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy.” What is the effect of O. Henry’s word choice?
it helps to understand her feelings
it helps to visualize the haircut
it shows how upset she was
it shows the small curls
- 32. Multiple Choice
How does the description of Jim’s clothing contribute to the development of theme?
“He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.”
it illustrates how he dresses for work
it shows how well dressed he was
it illustrates the couples poverty
it shows the season
- 33. Multiple Choice
O. Henry’s biblical allusion to the Magi elevates a poor couple’s dilemma about buying Christmas gifts for each other to the level of the New Testament story of the Wise Men. This short story is about two young lovers who sacrifice their most prized possessions; it is a classic example of ________.
Irony
Flashback
Understatement
Juxtapositioning
- 34. Multiple Choice
The theme of this story is that Jim and Della’s love for each other is much more valuable than any _______.
Material Gift
Expensive Dinner
Person's Opinion
Verbal Expressions of Love
- 35. Multiple Choice
What do the actions of both character’s reveal about them?
They wish they were rich.
They value extravagant gifts.
They do not think ordinary gifts are good enough.
They want to give a gift as valuable as they think their spouse is.
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags