Question

She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him.

"The Gift of the Magi,"
O. Henry

What inferences can be made about Della based on text evidence? Check all that apply.

She has more money than she needs.
She cares deeply for Jim.
She lacks discipline about saving money.
She is used to feeling short on money.
She is happy in her relationship with Jim.

Answer 1

Choices to check:
- She cares deeply for Jim. — Yes. (She’s been saving for months and spent “many a happy hour…planning” a gift for him.)
- She is used to feeling short on money. — Yes. (“Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are” implies this is a recurring problem.)
- She is happy in her relationship with Jim. — Yes. (Calling him “Her Jim” and spending happy hours planning for him shows affection and contentment.)

Do not check:
- She has more money than she needs. — No. (She only has $1.87 for the gift.)
- She lacks discipline about saving money. — No. (She’d been “saving every penny…for months,” which shows discipline.)