O. Henry - The Gift of the Magi

Question 1

long locks of a woman’s hair

Answer 1

tresses

Question 2

careful examination

Answer 2

scrutiny

Question 3

relating to

Answer 3

appertaining

Question 4

to diminish in value

Answer 4

depreciate

Question 5

a reference to any person, place, or thing (literary, historical, or actual)

Answer 5

allusion

Question 6

a chain attached to a watch for carrying in a waistcoat or waistband pocket

Answer 6

fob

Question 7

unwillingness to spend money

Answer 7

parsimony

Question 8

wisdom; caution

Answer 8

prudence

Question 9

sinking to a lower or normal level

Answer 9

subsiding

Question 10

when something very unexpected or opposite of what was expected happens

Answer 10

situational irony

Question 11

brings about or initiates

Answer 11

instigates

Question 12

prevailing; having the strongest influence

Answer 12

predominating

Question 13

How much money had Della saved?

Answer 13

$1.87

Question 14

Why is Della saving this money?

Answer 14

to buy Jim a Christmas present

Question 15

How easy was it to save the money?

Answer 15

very difficult

Question 16

How do Jim and Della feel about each other?

Answer 16

They are very close. They love each other deeply.

Question 17

What are the “two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride”?

Answer 17

gold watch; hair

Question 18

What happens when Jim and Della give each other gifts?

Answer 18

They each sacrificed their one personal possession in order to buy a gift related to the other’s personal possession.

Question 19

The end of the story presents an example of what?

Answer 19

situational irony

Question 20

“Eight dollars a week or a million a year - what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.”

Answer 20

Money is not what is truly valuable.

Question 21

How is Jim’s precious personal possession a reflection of his character?

Answer 21

quietness and value

Question 22

How does the title embody the Central One Idea?

Answer 22

The magi gave wise gifts of the utmost value and honor. They gave generously from their heart out of love to increase the value of the other.