Question

Which best describes Jim's actions in "The Gift of the Magi"?

A.
rash and foolish

B.
caring and selfless

C.
brave and bold

D.
silly and hilarious

Answer 1

Questions:

1. To which word can the prefix in- be added to make a word that means “not believing”? (Points: 1)
variable
organic
sincere
credulous


2. Which of the following words has been adopted into English from French and means “simple” or “lacking sophistication”? (Points: 1)
odium

naïve

cynical

discreet



3. The prefix be– means (Points: 1)
“early” or “before.”

“back” or “again.”

“the opposite of” or “not.”

“completely” or “thoroughly.”



4. An event that __________ a problem causes the problem. (Points: 1)
intimates
instigates
deprecates
predominates


5. Which word contains a Latin root meaning “light” and means “made clear”? (Points: 1)
bewildered
illuminated
immoderate
impoverished


6. Which of the following words contains an affix that means “without”? (Points: 1)
subsiding

renounced

deprived

meretricious



7. A word that comes from a Latin root meaning “mother” is (Points: 1)
matronly.
laboriously.
cynically.
warily.


8. For Questions 8–10, read the sentence, and choose the best definition for the bolded word.

Be polite: behaving insolently is no way to make friends.
(Points: 1)
offensively
hastily
impetuously
kindly


9. Ling’s incredible agility was on display as she completed her ice-skating routine without once falling or losing her balance. (Points: 1)
height and exceptional size

quickness and grace in movement

rhythm and sense of timing

strength and raw power



10. Tina, who was quite modest, was embarrassed by the immoderate amount of praise that was heaped upon her after she won the spelling bee. (Points: 1)
excessive

nasty

miniscule

friendly



11. In Shirley Jackson’s short story “Charles,” Laurie’s family uses the phrase “being a Charles” when someone (Points: 3)
behaves badly toward others.
tells funny stories to amuse others.
is kind and helpful to others.
ignores others.


12. Laurie’s mother is eager to attend the P.T.A meeting in “Charles” so that she can (Points: 3)
speak to Laurie’s teacher about his poor grades.
witness Charles’s bad behavior firsthand.
meet the mother who has raised a child as badly behaved as Charles is.
apologize to Laurie’s teacher about his misbehavior.


13. In "Charles," what is the real reason that Laurie misbehaves in school? (Points: 3)
His teacher is a cruel woman who punishes him too harshly.

He is having trouble adjusting to school.

He is influenced by Charles, who sits next to him.

He has agreed with Charles that they will both try to be as bad as possible.



14. What do readers infer at the end of “Charles”? (Points: 3)
that Laurie does not go to school
that Charles is the teacher’s son
that Charles is actually a good boy
that Laurie is actually Charles


15. What problem is Della thinking about as “The Gift of the Magi” opens? (Points: 3)
how little money she has been able to save
how securely hidden her saved money is
how she has wasted her money
how she will pay off a large debt


16. Which of the following best describes Della’s actions in “The Gift of the Magi”? (Points: 3)
selfish and mean

dishonest and sneaky

giving and loving

puzzling and confused



17. In “The Gift of the Magi,” in order to buy her husband a Christmas present, Della sells her (Points: 3)
heirloom jewelry.
only coat.
beautiful hair.
silk gloves.


18. In “The Gift of the Magi,” why does Jim stare at Della with a “peculiar expression” when he first returns to their flat on Christmas Eve? (Points: 3)
He is hoping to think of a way to return the combs he has bought.

He is coming to terms with the fact that she sold her hair.

He is uncertain if Della knows that her hair has been cut off.

He is angry that he did not tell Della not to cut and sell her hair.



19. At the end of “The Gift of the Magi,” what surprising news does Della hear from Jim? (Points: 3)
that he already has a chain for his watch
that he has received a raise at work
that he sold his heirloom watch to buy her a gift
that he does not like the way Della looks without her hair


20. In “The Gift of the Magi,” O. Henry compares Jim and Della to the magi because both the couple and the magi (Points: 3)
have unreasonable desires to buy what they cannot afford.
give generous gifts wit

Answer 2

answers 1. incredulous

2.naive

3. idk

4. instigates

5. illuminated

6. deprived

7. matronly

15. how little money she was able to save.

16.giving and loving

17. beautiful hair

18. ?

19. He sold his watch to buy her combs for her hair

20. gave generous gifts