AnswersIDEAL ENGLISH 9 SUMMER 2026 SabatiniCharacterization, Theme, and Irony in "The Gift of the Magi"

Characterization, Theme, and Irony in "The Gift of the Magi" Answers

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1
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In "The Gift of the Magi," when Jim buys combs for Della, the irony is that

A
Della had bought Jim a more expensive gift.
B
Della’s hair held more jewels than a queen.
C
Della had cut off her hair to buy Jim’s gift.
D
Della’s hair is too long and thick for combs.
2
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Read the story.Anna asked her mother if she could drive the car to the store herself.Anna’s mom said, "Sure, ten-year-olds drive themselves to the store all the time!”

A
dramatic irony
B
situational irony
C
verbal irony
D
historical irony
3

In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry most likely uses the irony of the couple’s gifts to express the theme that

A
expensive gifts are sometimes a mistake.
B
love and sacrifice for others is the highest virtue.
C
material goods usually increase in value over time.
D
it is best to retain one’s most prized possessions.
4

Read the excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi.""Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled."Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."

A
The excerpt is an example of verbal irony, as Jim tells Della to put the presents away.
B
The excerpt is an example of dramatic irony, as the audience knows something that Jim does not.
C
The excerpt is an example of situational irony, as Jim has sold the watch for which Della bought a chain.
D
The excerpt is an example of dramatic irony, as the audience knows something that neither one of the couple knows.
5

Which could best serve as the theme of a story about holiday gift giving?

A
gift giving
B
The value of a gift is not in its price, but rather in its sentiment.
C
Giving homemade gifts is better than giving store bought gifts.
D
Miriam painted a picture of the ocean to gift to her brother for Hanukkah.
6

What inferences about Della can be made based on this excerpt? Select three options.

A
Della does not have much money to spend on Jim’s gift.
B
Della wants to buy Jim a watch chain for his watch.
C
Della loves her husband, Jim, very much.
D
Della wants to buy Jim a really nice gift.
E
Della will need to sell her hair to buy Jim a nice gift.
7

practices religionenjoys fancy mealsfollows daily routinesenjoys living in the city

A
practices religion
B
enjoys fancy meals
C
follows daily routines
D
enjoys living in the city
8

[BLANK]

A
moral judgment of a character
B
general subject matter
C
observation about life
D
point of view on a difficult topic
9

Read the excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi."And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.

A
even wise people do foolish things at times.
B
those who sacrifice for others are great people.
C
sacrificing one’s most prized possessions is foolish.
D
wise people are often those with the fewest possessions.
10

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