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Use "The Gift of the Magi" to answer questions 3-4.

3. Which two themes are present in The Gift of the Magi? Select TWO correct answers.
The sacrifices made for love are the most valuable.
Honesty is more important than wealth.
External appearances do not determine a person's worth,
Social status defines true happiness.
One must acquire wealth to be happy.
4. Which character action best illustrates the love between Della and Jim in The Gift of the Magi?
A. Jim works extra hours to afford a gift for Della.
B. Della sells her hair to buy a gift for Jim.
C. Della carefully considers which hair combs Jim would like.
D. Jim sells his prized watch to buy Della a set of combs.

1]Onedollarandeighty-sevencents.That one’scheeksburnedwiththesilentimputationofparsimonythatsuchclosedealingimplied.ThreetimesDellacountedit.Onedollarandeighty-sevencents.AndthenextdaywouldbeChristmas.[2]Therewasclearlynothingtodobutflopdownontheshabbylittlecouchandhowl.SoDelladidit.Whichinstigatesthemoralreflectionthatlifeismadeupofsobs,sniffles,andsmiles,withsnifflespredominating.[3]Dellafinishedhercryandattendedtohercheekswiththepowderrag.Shestoodbythewindowandlookedoutdullyatagraycatwalkingagrayfenceinagraybackyard.TomorrowwouldbeChristmasDay,andshehadonly$1.87withwhichtobuyJimapresent.[4]Now,thereweretwopossessionsoftheJamesDillinghamYoungsinwhichtheybothtookamightypride.OnewasJim’sgoldwatchthathadbeenhisfather’sandhisgrandfather’s.TheotherwasDella’shair.[5] SonowDella’sbeautifulhairfellaboutherripplingandshininglikeacascadeofbrownwaters.Itreachedbelowherkneeandmadeitselfalmostagarmentforher.Andthenshediditupagainnervouslyandquickly.[6]“Willyoubuymyhair?”askedDella.“Ibuyhair,”saidMadame.“Takeyerhatoffandlet’shaveasightatthelooksofit.”Downrippledthebrowncascade.“Twentydollars,”saidMadame,liftingthemasswithapracticedhand."Giveittomequick,”saidDella.[7]Jimstoppedinsidethedoor,asimmovableasasetteratthescentofquail.HiseyeswerefixeduponDella,andtherewasanexpressioninthemthatshecouldnotread,anditterrifiedher.[8]itwasnotanger,norsurprise,nordisapproval,norhorror,noranyofthesentimentsthatshehadbeenpreparedfor.Hesimplystaredatherwiththatpeculiarexpressiononhisface.[9]Dellawriggledoffthetableandwenttohim."Jim,darling,"shecried,"don'tlookatmethatway.IhadmyhaircutoffandsoldbecauseIcouldn’thavelivedthroughChristmaswithoutgivingyouapresent.It’llgrowoutagain—youwon’tmind,willyou?Ijusthadtodoit.Myhairgrowsawfullyfast.Say‘MerryChristmas,’Jim,andlet’sbehappy.Youdon’tknowwhatanice—whatabeautiful,nicegiftI’vegotforyou."[10]Jimseemedtowakeoutofhistrance.HeenfoldedhisDella.Fortenseconds,letusregardwithdiscreetscrutinysomeinconsequentialobjectintheotherdirection.Eightdollarsaweekoramillionayear—whatisthedifference?Amathematicianorawitwouldgiveyouthewronganswer.Themagibroughtvaluablegifts,butthatwasnotamongthem.
wasall.Andsixtycentsofitwasinpennies.Penniessavedoneandtwoatatimebybulldozingthegrocerandthevegetablemanandthebutcheruntil

1 answer

  1. The two themes present in "The Gift of the Magi" are:
  • The sacrifices made for love are the most valuable.
  • Honesty is more important than wealth.
  1. The character action that best illustrates the love between Della and Jim in "The Gift of the Magi" is:

B. Della sells her hair to buy a gift for Jim.

This action signifies her deep love and willingness to sacrifice something precious for Jim's happiness.