Maharashtra Board Class 10 English Chapter 4.6 The Gift of the Magi Solutions

 

Question 1. The moment you hear the word 'Gift', what feelings do you experience? Complete the web with those feelings.
Answer: When I hear the word 'Gift', I experience a variety of warm and positive emotions. These feelings connect us deeply with our loved ones. The feelings can be represented as follows:
• Joy and Happiness
• Love and Affection
• Surprise and Excitement
• Gratitude and Appreciation
• Warmth and Belonging
• Curiosity
In simple words: Hearing the word 'gift' makes us feel happy, loved, excited, and thankful. It brings a warm feeling of being cared for by someone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing a web diagram in exams, use clear, single-word or short-phrase emotional terms to keep your presentation neat and precise.

 

Question 1. Complete the web diagram with feelings or abstract values associated with 'Gifts'.
Answer: The feelings and values associated with gifts are:
• Happiness
• Love
• Thrill
• Anticipation
• Wonder
• Surprise
Receiving a gift often brings a rush of positive emotions that stay with us for a long time.
In simple words: A gift is not just an object; it brings feelings like joy, excitement, love, and surprise to the person receiving it.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing web diagrams, use simple, single-word nouns or adjectives that directly relate to the central theme.

 

Question 2. 'Gifts' need not be material gifts. They can be abstract and yet priceless. For example, favours, kindness, help in times of need etc. Think of and enlist such unforgettable gifts given to you by:
(1) Parents/ Grand parents
(2) Siblings/ relatives
(3) Friends
Answer:
(1) Parents/ Grand parents: Their unconditional love, constant support, and the valuable life lessons they teach us every day.
(2) Siblings/ relatives: Their guidance during difficult times, sharing of happy moments, and helping with household chores.
(3) Friends: Their loyal companionship, helping me understand difficult school lessons, and always listening to my problems.
These non-material gifts build stronger emotional bonds and leave a lasting impression on our hearts.
In simple words: Gifts do not always have to be things we can buy with money; love, help, and kindness from our family and friends are the most valuable gifts of all.

🎯 Exam Tip: For personal response questions, write clear, relatable examples for each category to show a deep understanding of abstract gifts.

Question (4) Strangers : ........................................
Answer:
(1) love, kindness, etc.
(2) support, empathy, etc.
(3) loyalty, sympathy, etc.
(4) courtesy, help, etc.
In simple words: This list shows the positive values and behaviors associated with different groups of people, ending with courtesy and help for strangers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Make sure to list all the points clearly with their respective numbers to get full marks.

Gift Of The Magi Questions And Answers

Question 3. Say Whether the Words Underlined Are Infinitives/ Participles or Gerunds

 

Question 3(1). The athletes wanted to take part in the running race.
(a) ........................................
(b) ........................................
Answer:
(a) to take – infinitive:
(b) running – participle
In simple words: 'To take' is an infinitive because it is the base verb with 'to'. 'Running' is a participle because it describes the noun 'race'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the function of the '-ing' word; if it describes a noun (like 'running race'), it is a participle.

 

Question 3(2). Would you like to eat at the dinning table?
(a) ........................................
(b) ........................................
Answer:
(a) to eat – infinitive;
(b) dining – participle
In simple words: 'To eat' is an infinitive verb. 'Dining' is a participle because it describes the type of table.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for the 'to' before a verb to easily identify an infinitive.

 

Question 3(3). Reading is good for the mind and soul. So take up reading books.
(a) ........................................
(b) ........................................
Answer:
(a) Reading – gerund;
(b) reading – gerund
In simple words: Both 'Reading' and 'reading' function as nouns in these sentences, making them gerunds.

🎯 Exam Tip: A gerund acts as a noun and can be the subject or object of a sentence.

 

Question 3(4). I like to eat fruits rather than eating sweets.
(a) ........................................
(b) ........................................
Answer:
(a) to eat – infinitive;
(b) eating – gerund
In simple words: 'To eat' is an infinitive verb, while 'eating' acts as a noun here, making it a gerund.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that gerunds function as nouns, whereas infinitives are the base form of verbs usually preceded by 'to'.

Question 5. Listening and speaking sharpen your language skills. Identify the gerunds.
(a) ........................................
(b) ........................................
Answer:
(a) Listening – gerund
(b) speaking – gerund
In simple words: Gerunds are verbs ending in '-ing' that act like nouns in a sentence. Here, 'listening' and 'speaking' are acting as nouns.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify a gerund, look for a verb ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun (subject or object) in the sentence.

 

Question 1. Complete the following.
(a) Della had saved ........................................
(b) Della wanted to buy ........................................
(c) Della’s beautiful hair tell about ........................................
Answer:
(a) one dollar and eighty-seven cents.
(b) a Christmas present for Jim.
(c) her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.
In simple words: Della saved a very small amount of money to buy a Christmas gift for her husband Jim, and her long, beautiful hair looked like a brown waterfall.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote exact phrases from the text when completing sentences to ensure accuracy and score full marks.

 

Question 2. Answer the following questions:
(a) How much did Della save for Christmas ? What does it show ?
(b) Why did Della take pride in the beauty of her hair?
(c) Why and how did Della sell her hair? Do you think she did well ?
(d) Why did Jim sell his gold watch? Do you think he did well ?
(e) Why did Jim and Della want to present the gifts?
(f) Why did Della feel sad on losing her hair?
(g) What did Jim bring out from his coat? Describe the scene.
(h) How beautiful was the gold watch chain? Would you have liked to own it?
(i) How did the Magi want to celebrate their Christmas (OR) Who were the first people to give Christmas gifts ?
(j) What is the moral of the story?
Answer:
(a) Della saved only one dollar and eighty-seven cents. This shows her extreme poverty and her deep, desperate love for Jim, as she saved every single penny she could over many months.
(b) Della took pride in her hair because it was exceptionally beautiful, falling like a cascade of brown waters down to her knees, and was one of the two most prized possessions of the household.
(c) Della sold her hair to Madame Sofronie for twenty dollars because she did not have enough money to buy a worthy Christmas present for Jim. Yes, she did well because her sacrifice was driven by pure, selfless love.
(d) Jim sold his gold watch to buy a set of expensive tortoiseshell combs for Della's beautiful hair. Yes, he did well because his sacrifice showed that his love for Della was far greater than his attachment to material possessions.
(e) Jim and Della wanted to present gifts to each other to express their deep love, devotion, and appreciation on Christmas Eve.
(f) Della felt sad on losing her hair because it was her most beautiful asset and she feared that Jim might find her less attractive without it.
(g) Jim brought out a package from his coat containing the expensive combs that Della had long coveted in a shop window. The scene was filled with mixed emotions of sudden joy, tears, and comforting hugs as they realized the irony of their gifts.
(h) The platinum fob chain was simple, elegant, and chaste in design, perfectly suited for Jim's valuable watch. Yes, anyone would have liked to own such a classic and tasteful piece of jewelry.
(i) The Magi were the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus in the manger, thereby establishing the tradition of giving Christmas gifts.
(j) The moral of the story is that the most valuable gifts are not material things, but the spirit of love, selflessness, and sacrifice that people share with one another.
In simple words: Jim and Della sacrificed their most valuable possessions—his watch and her hair—to buy Christmas gifts for each other. This shows that true love and sacrifice are the greatest treasures in the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: For multi-part questions, answer each sub-question clearly and concisely, using key terms like 'selfless love', 'sacrifice', and 'Magi' to secure full marks.

Question 1. Answer the following questions based on the story:
(a) Della saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents for Christmas. It shows that she was very poor.
(b) because Jim thought that she was pretty because of her hair.
(c) Della sold her lovely long hair to get money to buy a Christmas present for Jim.
(d) She sold it to a woman who dealt in hair goods of all kinds. Yes, she did it willingly even though it was her prized possession.
(e) it was Christmas Eve, a time for giving gifts.
(f) it was very beautiful and her prized possession.
(g) Jim brought out a package from his coat.
(h) The watch chain was very beautiful. It was made of platinum, and simple and chaste in design. No, I would not have liked to own it, because I do not carry a watch that needs a chain. It is old-fashioned.
(i) The Magi wanted to celebrate their Christmas by exchanging gifts. They werejhe first people to give Christmas gifts.
(j) The moral of the story is that unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts, and those who realize this fact are the wisest.
Answer:
(a) Della saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents for Christmas. It shows that she was very poor.
(b) because Jim thought that she was pretty because of her hair.
(c) Della sold her lovely long hair to get money to buy a Christmas present for Jim.
(d) She sold it to a woman who dealt in hair goods of all kinds. Yes, she did it willingly even though it was her prized possession.
(e) it was Christmas Eve, a time for giving gifts.
(f) it was very beautiful and her prized possession.
(g) Jim brought out a package from his coat.
(h) The watch chain was very beautiful. It was made of platinum, and simple and chaste in design. No, I would not have liked to own it, because I do not carry a watch that needs a chain. It is old-fashioned.
(i) The Magi wanted to celebrate their Christmas by exchanging gifts. They werejhe first people to give Christmas gifts.
(j) The moral of the story is that unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts, and those who realize this fact are the wisest.
In simple words: These answers explain the key details of the story, showing how Della and Jim made sacrifices out of love for each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about characters' actions, always mention their underlying feelings of love and selflessness to score full marks.

 

Question 3. Complete the following activity: Map the problems and solutions in "The Gift of the Magi" on the diagram below. Two problems have already been filled in.
Answer:
• Problem 1: Della has only $1.87 to buy a Christmas gift for Jim.
• Solution 1: Della sells her beautiful long hair for twenty dollars to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim's watch.
• Problem 2: Jim wants to buy an expensive set of tortoise-shell combs for Della's hair but does not have the money.
• Solution 2: Jim sells his gold watch, his most prized possession, to buy the combs for Della.
In simple words: Both Della and Jim faced the problem of not having enough money for gifts, so they both sold their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly pair each problem with its corresponding solution to show a clear understanding of the story's plot structure.

 

Question 1. Complete the flowchart showing the problems and solutions of Della and Jim:
• Problem: Della doesn't have enough money to buy Jim a present for Christmas.
    – 1. Her solution: [To be filled]
• Problem: Jim doesn't have enough money to buy a Christmas gift for Della.
    – 2. His solution: [To be filled]
• 3. Their new problem: [To be filled]
• 4. Their new solution: [To be filled]

Answer:
• Problem: Della doesn't have enough money to buy Jim a present for Christmas.
    – 1. Her solution: Della sells her beautiful, long hair to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim's prized gold watch.
• Problem: Jim doesn't have enough money to buy a Christmas gift for Della.
    – 2. His solution: Jim sells his precious gold watch to buy a set of expensive ornamental combs for Della's hair.
• 3. Their new problem: Both of their Christmas gifts are now useless because Della has cut her hair and Jim has sold his watch.
• 4. Their new solution: They put their gifts away and decide to have dinner together, realizing that their love and willingness to sacrifice for each other are the most valuable gifts of all.
In simple words: Della sold her hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, while Jim sold his watch to buy combs for Della's hair. Even though their gifts became temporarily useless, they realized their love was the greatest gift of all.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing flowcharts, keep your answers concise and directly related to the cause-and-effect sequence of the story events.

The Gift of the Magi - Problem and Solution Flowchart

• Problem: Della doesn't have enough money to buy Jim a present for Christmas.
  • 1. Her solution: She sells her hair and buys a fob chain for Jim.
• Problem: Jim doesn't have enough money to buy a Christmas gift for Della.
  • 2. His solution: He sells his watch and buys tortoise shell combs for Della.
• 3. Their new problem: Della doesn't have long hair to use the combs. Jim doesn't have a watch for the fob chain.
• 4. Their new solution: They put away their Christmas presents for a while and continue with their normal life.

 

Question 4. Read the following and answer.
(A) Say WHAT
(a) ............................. troubled Della on Christmas Eve?
(b) ............................. was the current family income?
(c) ............................. could have outshone Queen of Sheba’s jewels?
(d) ............................. was the cost of the fob chain?
(e) ............................. sent Jim into a trance, on his return?
Answer:
(a) The next day was Christmas Day and Della had only one dollar and eighty-seven cents with which to buy Jim a present. She had spent a lot of time thinking about a good present for him, but with the money she had saved she would not get anything worthy of him. Hence, she was feeling disturbed.
(b) $20 per week.
(c) Della’s beautiful hair.
(d) twenty-one dollars.
(e) The sight of Della's short hair.
In simple words: This exercise helps us identify key details from the story, such as Della's worry over having only $1.87 for a gift, their small $20 weekly income, her gorgeous hair, the $21 price of the watch chain, and Jim's shock at seeing her hair cut short.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always write exact details and figures from the text, such as "$20 per week" and "twenty-one dollars", to show the examiner you have read the story thoroughly.

Question. Say WHY:
(a) .................................... did Della sell her lovely long hair ?
(b) .................................... was Della a bit apprehensive after she had sold her hair ?
(c) .................................... did Jim avoid checking the time in his gold watch, in a public place?
(d) .................................... did Della’s scream of joy change to loud wails ?
(e) .................................... in the end, did Jim ask Della to put the chops on?
Answer:
(a) to get money to buy a Christmas present for Jim.
(b) she was afraid of Jim’s reaction.
(c) the leather strap he used in place of a chain was old.
(d) Jim’s gift to Della was the set of tortoise shell combs that she had adored. She had craved and yearned for them, so that they could adorn her beautiful hair. When she opened the package and saw them, she was first ecstatic with joy that she had got what she had coveted; but her scream of joy turned to wails when she remembered that the beautiful hair they would have adorned was now cut off. The gift was hence useless. This unexpected turn of events turned her happiness into deep sorrow.
(e) Jim knew that neither of them could use their Christmas gifts for the time being. Hence, he wanted to put them away and keep them for some time. He wanted to get back to daily life. Hence, he asked Della to put the chops on.
In simple words: This section explains the reasons behind the characters' actions, such as why Della sold her hair to buy a gift and why Jim reacted the way he did.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering "why" questions, clearly link the cause to the effect using words like "because" or "to" to secure full marks.

 

Question. Say WHEN:
(a) .................................... had Jim added ‘Dillingham’ as his middle name ?
(b) .................................... did a tear or two drop on the old red carpet ?
(c) .................................... did Della go through goods in the stores ?
(d) .................................... did Della say a silent prayer to God ?
(e) .................................... did Jim try to divert their attention for ten seconds, at least?
Answer:
(a) a former period of prosperity, when he was earning $30 per week.
(b) Della made up her mind to cut off her beautiful hair.
(c) she was searching for a suitable present for Jim. This search required her to visit many different shops.
In simple words: This section identifies the specific moments or times when key events in the story took place.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the timeline of the story to accurately answer questions about when specific events occurred.

 

Question 5. Complete the chart below to explain situational irony in ‘The Gift of the Magi’. For each character, identify what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
Answer:

SITUATIONAL IRONY
What Della plans: To give Jim a wonderful Christmas gift in the form of a fob chain.	What actually happens: Jim cannot use Della’s gift of a fob chain for his watch because he has sold his watch to get her gift.
What Jim plans: To give Della a wonderful Christmas gift in the form of a set of tortoise shell combs.	What actually happens: Della cannot use Jim’s gift of combs because she has cut and sold her hair to get him his gift.

This double twist highlights the deep love and selflessness shared between the couple, showing that their willingness to sacrifice for one another is their greatest treasure.
In simple words: Situational irony is when the outcome of a situation is the exact opposite of what was planned. Here, both Della and Jim sold their most precious belongings to buy gifts for each other, making those very gifts useless.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining situational irony, always clearly contrast the expectation of the character with the actual ironic outcome to score full marks.

 

Question 6. Complete the following activity.
Word List: agile, cascade, coveted, instigate, prudence, assertion, chronicle, inconsequential, predominating, subside, gobbling.
Answer: Here are the meanings of the words from the list to help complete the vocabulary activity:

Word	Meaning
agile	Able to move quickly and easily.
cascade	A process where something is passed on or falls like a waterfall.
coveted	Greatly desired or wished for.
instigate	To provoke, urge on, or initiate an action.
prudence	Wisdom, caution, or practical wisdom.
assertion	A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.
chronicle	A written record of historical events in order of occurrence.
inconsequential	Not important or significant.
predominating	Being the strongest or main element; prevailing.
subside	Become less intense, violent, or severe; sink to a lower level.
gobbling	Eating hastily and noisily.

Understanding these words helps us appreciate the author's unique style and the emotional depth of the story.
In simple words: Learning these vocabulary words helps us understand the rich descriptions and emotions of the characters in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize these key vocabulary words and their meanings, as they are frequently asked in synonyms, antonyms, and fill-in-the-blank questions.

 

Question 1. Fill in each set of blanks with the correct word from the word list. The boxed letters will spell out something that Della receives.

Clue	Word
1. A small waterfall
2. You wished greedily for something.
3. This describes something important.
4. You hope a loud siren will do this.
5. Troublemakers do this.

Answer:

Clue	Word (Boxed Letter)
(1) A small waterfall	CAS[C]ADE
(2) You wished greedily for something	C[O]VETED
(3) This describes something important	PREDO[M]INATING
(4) You hope a loud siren, will do this	SU[B]SIDE
(5) Troublemakers do this	IN[S]TIGATE

The boxed letters spell out: COMBS. These represent the beautiful tortoiseshell combs that Jim bought for Della by selling his gold watch.
In simple words: Solve each word puzzle to find the hidden letters. When you put the boxed letters together, they spell 'COMBS', which is the special Christmas gift Della received from Jim.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to spelling when solving word puzzles, as a single incorrect letter will prevent you from finding the hidden keyword.

 

Question 7. Complete the following basic plot diagram:
Answer:

• Exposition: Della has only $1.87 to buy a Christmas gift for her husband, Jim.
• Rising Action: Della sells her beautiful long hair for $20 to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim's precious gold watch.
• Climax: Jim and Della exchange gifts, only to discover that Jim sold his watch to buy expensive tortoiseshell combs for Della's hair.
• Falling Action: They realize that their mutual love and willingness to sacrifice for each other is far more valuable than any material gift.
• Resolution: They put their gifts away and sit down to dinner together, recognized as the wisest of gift-givers (the Magi).

This structure beautifully highlights the situational irony that defines the emotional core of the story.
In simple words: A plot diagram maps out the story's main events. In this story, Della sells her hair to buy a watch chain, while Jim sells his watch to buy hair combs, showing their deep love for each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a plot diagram, clearly identify the Climax as the turning point where the irony of the exchanged gifts is revealed.

Question 1. Complete the plot diagram showing the structure of a story.
Answer: The completed stages of the plot diagram are:
• Opening Exposition
• Conflict
• Inciting Moment
• Rising Action
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Resolution
This structure helps readers follow the emotional and narrative arc of the story.
In simple words: A story starts with an introduction, builds up excitement through rising action to a peak called the climax, and then winds down to a resolution.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the order of the plot mountain: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Labeling these correctly shows your understanding of story structure.

 

Question 8. Pick out from the story words that mean the following. Against each consumer write (N) if it is a Noun (V) for Verb and (Adj) for Adjective.
(1) reluctance to spend money .................................... ( )
(2) relating to .................................... ( )
(3) urge .................................... ( )
(4) reduce in value .................................... ( )
(5) wisdom .................................... ( )
(6) very huge .................................... ( )
(7) foolishness .................................... ( )
Answer:
(1) reluctance to spend money – parsimony (Noun)
(2) relating to – pertaining (Verb)
(3) urge – instigate (Verb)
(4) reduce in value – depreciate (Verb)
(5) wisdom – prudence (Noun)
(6) very huge – mammoth (Adjective)
(7) foolishness – idiocy (Noun)
These vocabulary words help highlight the rich literary style used by the author in the story.
In simple words: This exercise helps us find specific words from the story that match these meanings and identify whether they are nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the part of speech (Noun, Verb, Adjective) requested, as writing the correct word with the wrong part of speech can lose you marks.

Vocabulary
(6) very huge – mammoth ( Adjective )
(7) foolishness – idiocy (Noun)

 

The Gift Of Magi Question And Answers

Think and answer on your own in a few sentences, in your notebook.

 

Question 9(a). What would you do if you ran short of money, to buy a birthday gift for one of your parents/siblings?
Answer: If I ran short of money to buy a gift for one of my parents/siblings, I would borrow from someone else close to me. For example, if I wanted to buy a bag for my sister and fell short of money, I would ask my mother to lend it to me. If I wanted to buy something for Mom and did not have the money for it, I would borrow from dad. This shows how much we care about making our loved ones happy on their special day.
In simple words: If I didn't have enough money for a gift, I would borrow the extra money from a close family member like my mom or dad.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use personal examples to make your answer more relatable and complete.

 

Question 9(b). Think of two alternatives that could have prevented Della as well as Jim from selling their most precious possessions.
Answer: Both knew that they were poor and couldn’t afford expensive gifts. So they could have just given each other small token gifts of flowers or cards. This would have prevented them from selling their most precious possessions. Alternatively, they could have simply promised to spend quality time together without exchanging material items.
In simple words: Instead of selling their prized possessions, they could have given each other simple handmade cards or flowers to show their love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the theme of love over material wealth when suggesting alternatives.

 

Question 9(c). Justify the title of the story, ‘The Gift of the Magi’.
Answer: The Magi were three wise men who brought gifts for baby Jesus during Christmas. They knew how to give and gave unique gifts with special emphasis. In the same way, Della and Jim gave each other unique gifts. The author compares their giving to the gifts the Magi gave to baby Jesus, ffe calls them tire ‘Magi’ because of their wisdom in realizing that unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts. Their sacrifices represent the true spirit of giving.
In simple words: The title is perfect because, like the wise Magi who brought gifts to baby Jesus, Della and Jim showed true wisdom by sacrificing their dearest possessions out of love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the connection between the biblical Magi and the characters in the story to get full marks.

 

Question 9(d). Gifts that you buy have fixed prices/ rates. How can the buyer increase the value of a gift bought for someone very dear in the family?
Answer: The buyer can increase the value of a gift bought for someone very dear in the family by giving it with words of love and gratitude. He /She can also write something loving on a card and attach it to the gift. Adding a personal touch, like wrapping it beautifully or presenting it with a warm hug, makes it priceless.
In simple words: You can make a simple gift special by adding a handwritten note of love and presenting it with genuine affection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight that emotional value is always greater than the monetary price of a gift.

Question (e) What situation is the climax of the story ? How does it end up as an Anticlimax?
Answer: The climax should have been the happiness and joy on the faces of Jim and Della when they see their gifts. It ends up as an anti-climax because though they had got what they coveted, neither of them could now use the gifts. Della's hair was gone and Jim's watch was sold, making their mutual sacrifices beautifully ironic.
In simple words: The climax of the story is when they exchange gifts, but it becomes an anticlimax because they both sold their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, making the gifts unusable.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define both 'climax' and 'anticlimax' using examples from the text to show a complete understanding of the plot twist.

 

Question (f) If you share this story with some friends in a junior class, how would they react in the end?
Answer: They would probably just feel that all the sacrifice was wasted. They would not have realized the deeper meaning of the story. Younger readers often focus only on the physical loss rather than the emotional gain.
In simple words: Younger children might feel sad or disappointed because the characters lost their favorite things for nothing. They might not understand that the real gift was their deep love.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering reader-response questions, contrast the superficial reaction with the deeper thematic meaning of the story.

 

Question (g) Who were the very first people to give Christmas gifts? What had inspired them to do so?
Answer: The Magi visited Jesus after his birth to give gifts to honour him. The Magi wanted to celebrate their Christmas by exchanging gifts. They werejhe first people to give Christmas gifts. Their actions established the long-standing tradition of holiday gift-giving that we follow today.
In simple words: The wise men (Magi) were the first to give Christmas gifts to baby Jesus to show him respect. This inspired the tradition of giving gifts to loved ones at Christmas.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the historical or biblical context of the Magi to secure full marks on this question.

 

Question (h) At the end of the story, O Henry remarks that of all who give gifts, Della and Jim were the wisest. Think and explain this paradoxial remark.
Answer: Jim and Della were initially foolish enough to believe that they needed to give material gifts in order to show their love for one another and that they had to sacrifice their most precious possessions to do so. However, they were also wise enough to know later that unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts. Their willingness to sacrifice everything for each other's happiness is what truly made them wise.
In simple words: Even though they made a silly mistake by selling their treasures, they were wise because they realized that love and sacrifice are much more valuable than any physical gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the paradox by contrasting their 'foolish' actions with their 'wise' realization about love.

 

Question 10. Pick out and rewrite the exact sentence which indirectly imply the following :
(a) Della was not too happy about bargaining for grocery etc.
Answer: Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned. This embarrassment highlights the financial struggles and social pressures she faced daily.
In simple words: The sentence shows that Della felt embarrassed and her cheeks burned with shame when she had to argue over every penny with the shopkeepers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always quote the exact words from the text when asked to 'pick out' a sentence, and ensure spelling matches the passage perfectly.

 

Question (b). The flat was in a dilapidated condition.
Answer: It did not actually beggar description, but certainly had that word on the look out for the mendicancy squad. This description highlights the extreme poverty and run-down state of their home.
In simple words: The apartment was so worn out and cheap that it looked like a place where very poor people lived.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use exact quotes from the text when asked to show how the author describes a particular setting or situation.

 

Question (c). King Soloman would express his jealousy of Jim.
Answer: Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard with envy. This comparison emphasizes the immense value Jim placed on his gold watch.
In simple words: Jim's gold watch was so valuable and beautiful that even the richest king would be jealous of it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the literary device of hyperbole (exaggeration) used here to show the value of Jim's watch.

 

Question (d). Della spent a joyful time, for two hours.
Answer: The next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. She spent this time happily searching the stores for the perfect gift for Jim.
In simple words: The two hours passed very quickly and happily because she was excited to find a gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrase "tripped by on rosy wings" is a personification of time; explaining this imagery helps secure higher marks.

 

Question (e). Della’s elated mood underwent a change as she opened her gift.
Answer: An ecstatic scream of joy; and then alas! A quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails. This sudden shift in emotion highlights her realization that she could no longer use the beautiful combs.
In simple words: Della was extremely happy at first, but then she suddenly started crying because she had cut her hair and couldn't use the combs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly contrast the two opposing emotions (joy and despair) to show the dramatic irony of the situation.

 

Question (f). The weekly income amount does not matter.
Answer: Whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called ‘Jim’ and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young. Their deep mutual affection remained completely unaffected by their financial struggles.
In simple words: It did not matter how much money Jim earned because they loved each other very much and were always happy to see each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the theme of love being more valuable than material wealth or income when answering questions about their relationship.

 

Question 11. Frame wh-questions to get the underlined answers.
(1) Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles.
Answer:
(1) What is life made up of?
In simple words: We ask "What is life made up of?" to get the answer "sobs, sniffles and smiles".

🎯 Exam Tip: When framing Wh-questions, ensure the helping verb matches the tense of the original sentence.

Question 1. [Frame a question for the statement: Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles.]
Answer: What is life made up of?
In simple words: This question asks about the different emotional elements that make up our daily lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: When framing a question, identify the key information in the statement and use the appropriate question word like 'What'.

 

Question 2. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him.
Answer: Who had spent many a happy hour planning something nice for him?
In simple words: This question asks who the person was that spent a lot of happy time planning a nice surprise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use 'Who' when the subject of the sentence (in this case, 'she') is being replaced to form a question.

 

Question 3. Her hair reached below her knee.
Answer: Where did her hair reach?
In simple words: This question asks about the length of her hair by asking where it ended.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use 'Where' to ask about location or destination, and ensure the verb tense matches the original statement.

 

Question 4. She was ransacking the stores for Jim’s present.
Answer: She has been ransacking the stores for Jim’s present.
In simple words: This statement describes her actively searching through all the shops to find a perfect gift for Jim.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to auxiliary verbs and tenses when rewriting or transforming sentences.

 

Question 5. At 7 o’clock the coffee was made.
Answer: When was the coffee made?
In simple words: This question asks for the specific time that the coffee was prepared.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use 'When' to ask about time-related information in a sentence.

 

Question 6. The magi were wise men.
Answer: Who were the magi?
In simple words: This question asks about the identity and character of the magi.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep the question simple and direct when asking about the definition or identity of a group of people.

 

Question 12. (A) Add appropriate question tags.
(1) Della leaped up, ........................?
(2) You'll have to look at the time, ........................?
(3) They were expensive combs, ........................?
(4) I just had to do it, ........................?
(5) I am still pretty, ........................?
(6) Give it to me quick, ........................?
Answer:
(1) Della leaped up, didn't she?
(2) You'll have to look at the time, won't you?
(3) They were expensive combs, weren't they?
(4) I just had to do it, didn't I?
(5) I am still pretty, aren't I?
(6) Give it to me quick, will you?
In simple words: Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements to confirm information, using the opposite positive or negative form of the helping verb.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that positive statements always take negative question tags, and 'I am' always becomes 'aren't I' in a tag question.

 

Question 1. Complete the following sentences by adding suitable question tags:
(1) Della leaped up, ................?
(2) You’ll have to look at the time, ................?
(3) They were expensive combs, ................?
(4) I just had to do it, ................?
(5) I am still pretty, ................?
(6) Give it to me quick, ................?
(7) There was clearly nothing to do, ................?
(8) My hair grows so fast, ................?
(9) Let’s put our Christmas presents away, ................?
(10) She had a habit for saying a silent prayer, ................?
Answer:
(1) Della leaped up, didn’t she?
(2) You’ll have to look at the time, won’t you?
(3) They were expensive combs, weren’t they?
(4) I just had to do it, didn’t I?
(5) I am still pretty, aren’t I?
(6) Give it to me quick, won’t you?
(7) There was clearly nothing to do, was there?
(8) My hair grows so fast, doesn’t it?
(9) Let’s put our Christmas presents away, shall we?
(10) She had a habit of saying a little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things. These tags help in confirming information during a conversation.
In simple words: Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements to ask for agreement or confirmation. Positive statements usually take negative tags, and negative statements take positive tags.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that positive statements take negative question tags (e.g., 'grows' becomes 'doesn't it'), while negative statements take positive tags (e.g., 'nothing' becomes 'was there').

 

Supply Short Answers (Pronoun + Auxiliary Verb)

 

Question 2. Supply short answers (Pronoun + Auxiliary Verb) for the following questions:
(1) Don’t you like me ? Yes, .................
(2) Have you cut off your hair ? Yes, .................
(3) Shall I put the chops on ? Yes, .................
(4) Isn’t it a dandy ? Yes, .................
(5) Does it make difference ? No, .................
(6) Will you buy my hair ? No, .................
(7) Can you afford it ? No, .................
(8) Are you fooling me ? No, .................
Answer:
(1) Yes, I do.
(2) Yes, I have.
(3) Yes, you shall/can.
(4) Yes, it is.
(5) No, It doesn’t.
(6) No, I won’t.
(7) No, I can't.
(8) No, I am not. Using short answers is a common way to respond politely in English.
In simple words: Short answers use 'Yes' or 'No' followed by a pronoun and the matching helping verb from the question to keep the conversation natural and quick.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always match the auxiliary verb and pronoun in your short answer to the subject and tense used in the question.

 

Question 13. Pick out the infinitives/ gerunds/ participles from the following sentences and state what each one is.
(1) I want to see how it looks.
(2) I don't like frightening stories.
(3) We decided to settle in Pune.
(4) Playing sitar is Arjun's hobby.
(5) It was a horrifying experience for all of us.
Answer:
(1) to see – infinitive
(2) frightening – participle
(3) to settle – infinitive
(4) playing – gerund
(5) horrifying – participle
These non-finite verb forms function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in sentences.
In simple words: Infinitives usually start with 'to' (like 'to see'), gerunds are '-ing' words acting as nouns (like 'playing'), and participles are '-ing' or '-ed' words acting as adjectives (like 'frightening').

🎯 Exam Tip: To easily identify an infinitive, look for the base verb preceded by 'to'. For gerunds and participles, check if the '-ing' word acts as a noun or describes something.

 

Question 14. List the signs that indicate that Della was very poor.
Answer:
The following things show us that Della was very poor:
(i) The house was a poorly furnished flat at $8 per week.
(ii) The couch was small and shabby.
(iii) In the vestibule below was a letter-box and an electric bell, both of which were out of service and did not work. This highlights their extremely modest living conditions.
In simple words: Della lived in a cheap, poorly furnished flat with a shabby couch and broken utilities. These details show that she and her husband had very little money.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use specific details from the text, like the cost of the flat ($8 per week) and the condition of the couch, to support your answer and score full marks.

 

Question 15. Pick out from the passage words that mean the following, and state if it is a Noun, Verb or Adjective: (The answers are given directly and underline.)
Answer:

Phrase	Word From the passage	Part of Speech
(1) Reluctance to spend money	parsimony	Noun
(2) Relating to	appertaining	Verb
(3) Urge	coax	Verb
(4) provokes	instigates	Verb

In simple words: This table matches phrases from the story with their single-word meanings and identifies whether each word is a noun or a verb.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying parts of speech, look at how the word is used in the sentence context to ensure you label it correctly as a noun, verb, or adjective.

 

Question 16. Rearrange the letters given below to form sensible words:
(i) stedoih
(ii) eilpmid
(iii) teccirle
(iv) ectubrh.
Answer:
(i) stedom - modest
(ii) teccirle - electric
(iii) eilpmid - implied
(iv) ectubrh - butcher
These rearranged words are all key vocabulary terms found throughout the story.
In simple words: Unscramble the mixed-up letters to find the correct words used in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: To solve anagrams quickly, look for common letter combinations like 'ch', 'sh', or vowel patterns first to help form the word.

 

Question 17. Della counted the money thrice. Explain what you think the reason for this may be.
Answer: Della had struggled and bargained a lot to save money. She had hoped that she had saved more money for Jim's Christmas gift, but the count remained the same. Her repetitive counting shows her desperation and disbelief at having so little.
In simple words: Della counted her money three times because she was sad and hoped she might have made a mistake and actually had more money to buy a nice gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's actions, always connect their physical behavior to their inner feelings and motivations.

saved enough money to buy Jim a proper Christmas present. She could not believe that it was only 1 dollar and 87 cents. She probably counted the money thrice in the hope that it was actually more than that.

 

Question 18. Write whether the following statements are True or False:
(1) Della wanted to buy a Christmas present for Jim.
(2) There was a pier glass between the windows of the room.
(3) Jim now earned $30 per week.
(4) It was Christmas Eve.
Answer:
(1) True
(2) True
(3) False (Jim's actual income had shrunk to $20 per week)
(4) True. Della's deep love for Jim was the main motivation behind her actions.
In simple words: This question asks you to identify which statements about the characters and settings in the story are correct and which are incorrect.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always double-check specific details like dollar amounts and names in the passage to avoid making silly mistakes on True/False questions.

 

Question 19. Write the part of speech of each of the words given below:
(i) fairly accurate conception.
(ii) very agile person.
Answer:
(i) fairly – adverb, accurate – adjective, conception – noun. Understanding how these words function together helps improve your grammar skills.
(ii) very – adverb, agile – adjective, person – noun.
In simple words: This exercise helps you identify the grammatical role of each word in the given phrases, such as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify parts of speech, look at how words interact; for example, an adjective like "agile" will always describe a noun like "person".

 

Question 20. Find from the passage the antonyms of the following words:
(1) common
(2) slow
(3) spending
Answer:
(1) rare
(2) agile
(3) saving. Learning antonyms is an excellent way to build a strong vocabulary and express contrasting ideas clearly.
In simple words: This question asks you to find words in the story that have the exact opposite meaning of the words listed.

🎯 Exam Tip: When looking for antonyms, ensure the word you choose from the passage is the same part of speech as the question word.

 

Question 20. Write the antonyms of the following words:
(1) common
(2) slow
(3) spending
(4) dully
Answer:
(1) common x rare
(2) slow x agile
(3) spending x saving
(4) dully x brilliantly
In simple words: Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, like slow and fast, or common and rare.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing antonyms, use a simple 'x' mark to clearly show the opposite relationship between the words.

 

Question 21. Rewrite the following sentence as an interrogative sentence: Twenty dollars a week doesn’t go far.
Answer: Does twenty dollars a week go far?
In simple words: To change the statement into a question, we start with the helping verb "Does" and end with a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: Never forget to put a question mark (?) at the end of an interrogative sentence to avoid losing marks.

 

Question 22. Rewrite the following sentence beginning ‘Though ’: Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its colour.
Answer: Though her eyes were shining brilliantly, her face had lost its colour.
In simple words: We start the sentence with "Though" to show contrast and remove the word "but" because "though" already connects the two opposite ideas.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that "though" and "but" should not be used together in the same sentence; use a comma to separate the clauses instead.

 

Question 23. Complete the following:
(1) The couple’s prized possessions were .............................
(2) Della’s beautiful hair fell about .............................
(3) Della felt sad on losing her hair because .............................
Answer:
(1) Jim’s gold watch and Della’s beautiful hair.
(2) her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.
(3) it was very beautiful and her prized possession.
In simple words: This completes the sentences based on the story, describing the couple's special items, Della's hair, and why she was sad to lose it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote directly from the text when completing sentences to ensure your answers are completely accurate.

 

Question 24. Write the adjective forms of the following words and pick out those that are participles:
(1) possessions
(2) treasures
(3) envy
(4) sparkle
Answer:
(1) possessions - possessive
(2) treasures - treasured (Participle)
(3) envy - envious
(4) sparkle - sparkling (Participle)
In simple words: Adjectives describe things, and participles are verb forms ending in -ed or -ing that act as adjectives.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly label which adjectives are participles (usually ending in -ed or -ing) to show the examiner you understand the difference.

 

Question 25. Complete the following:
(a) The gift Della bought for Jim was .........................
Answer: (a) a platinum fob chain. This elegant chain was simple and chaste in design, perfectly matching the value of Jim's precious gold watch.
In simple words: Della bought a simple and elegant platinum chain for Jim's special pocket watch.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing sentences from the text, use the exact words or phrases mentioned in the passage to secure full marks.

 

Question 26. Explain why Della looked at her reflection critically.
Answer: Della had cut off her beautiful hair, which Jim had loved. She was worried about his reaction to her short hair, and to make it look better she had curled her newly-cut hair. She looked at her reflection critically hoping that Jim would still find her beautiful and love her just the same.
In simple words: Della was worried that Jim would not like her short hair. She curled it to look better and checked herself in the mirror anxiously.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state both Della's action (curling her hair) and her underlying emotion (fear of Jim's reaction) to write a complete answer.

 

Question 27. Pick out 4 adverbs of manner from the passage.
Answer: properly, wonderfully, carefully, critically. These adverbs describe the specific way in which the characters performed their actions in the story.
In simple words: Adverbs of manner tell us how something is done, and these four words show how actions were performed in the passage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs of manner usually end in '-ly'. Look for words that describe how an action is performed in the text.

 

Question 28. Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer: She was ransacking the store for Jim's present.
Answer: Why was she ransacking the store? This question directly targets the reason behind her frantic search.
In simple words: To get 'for Jim's present' as the answer, we ask 'why' she was searching the store.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always match the tense of the Wh-question with the tense of the original sentence (past continuous here: 'was ransacking' becomes 'was she ransacking').

 

Question 29. Rewrite the following sentence using 'No sooner..., than...': As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's.
Answer: No sooner did she see it than she knew that it must be Jim's. This grammatical structure emphasizes the immediacy of her realization.
In simple words: 'No sooner... than' is used to show that one action happened immediately after another.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to use the auxiliary verb 'did' (or 'had') right after 'No sooner' and change the main verb to its base form ('see'). Do not forget to use 'than' to connect the clauses.

 

Question 30. Complete the following:
(a) Jim stared at Della ....................
(b) Della took pride in the beauty of her hair ....................
Answer:
(a) because she had cut off her hair.
(b) because Jim thought that she was pretty because of her hair. These details highlight the emotional reactions of both characters regarding Della's hair.
In simple words: Jim stared at Della because her hair was gone, and Della loved her hair because it made her feel beautiful and appreciated.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing sentences, ensure the grammatical structure of your addition matches the prompt perfectly.

 

Question 31. Complete the web with words to describe Jim.
Answer: The words describing Jim from the web diagram are:

• young
• thin
• serious
• punctual

These adjectives paint a clear picture of Jim's character and physical appearance in the story.
In simple words: The diagram lists four words that describe Jim: young, thin, serious, and punctual.

🎯 Exam Tip: For character description questions, focus on both physical traits and personality characteristics mentioned in the text.

 

Question 32. Pick out two words from the passage formed by using prefixes:
Answer: immovable, disapproval. The prefixes used here are 'im-' and 'dis-' which alter the meaning of the base words.
In simple words: Prefixes are letters added to the beginning of a word to make a new word, like 'im-' in immovable and 'dis-' in disapproval.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the root word first to easily recognize if a prefix has been added.

 

Question 33. Match the adjectives in column 'A' with the nouns in column 'B':

'A'	'B'
(1) new	(a) prayer
(2) silent	(b) overcoat

Answer:
(1) new — (b) overcoat
(2) silent — (a) prayer
These pairings correctly associate each descriptive adjective with its corresponding noun from the text.
In simple words: We match 'new' with 'overcoat' because Jim needed a new coat, and 'silent' with 'prayer' because Della said a quiet prayer.

🎯 Exam Tip: In matching questions, always write the complete matched pairs clearly to avoid any confusion for the examiner.

Question 33. Match the words in Column 'A' with their correct pairs in Column 'B'.

(3) first	(c) expression
(4) peculiar	(d) flight

Answer:

'A'	'B'
(1) new	(b) overcoat
(2) silent	(a) prayer
(3) first	(d) flight
(4) peculiar	(c) expression

In simple words: This table matches describing words with the things they describe in the story, like a "new overcoat" or a "silent prayer".

🎯 Exam Tip: Double-check each pair against the context of the story to ensure the associations are correct.

 

Question 34. Give your opinion: 'It is important to give gifts.'
Answer: Yes, it is. When you give gifts, you show your love and affection for the person. You also show that you have remembered the occasion—maybe a birthday or an anniversary. However, the gift should be thoughtfully chosen, keeping the likes and dislikes of the receiver in mind. Giving a gift from the heart brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.
In simple words: Giving gifts is a wonderful way to show people we care about them and remember their special days. The best gifts are those chosen with thought and love.

🎯 Exam Tip: When giving your opinion, start with a clear 'Yes' or 'No' and support your view with two distinct reasons.

 

Question 35. Put the following statements in the correct order of occurrence:
(1) “If you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.”
(2) “It’s Christmas Eve, boy.”
(3) “Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow?”
(4) “It’s sold, I tell you.”
Answer:
(3) “Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow?”
(4) “It’s sold, I tell you.”
(2) “It’s Christmas Eve, boy.”
(1) “If you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.”
In simple words: This rearranges the dialogue from the story in the exact order that the characters spoke them.

🎯 Exam Tip: To sequence events correctly, recall the timeline of the story's climax and match the dialogue to the characters' actions.

 

Question 36. Give reason: Della asked Jim to be good to her.
Answer: Della asked Jim to be good to her for she had cut off her hair for his sake. She did this selfless act out of deep love to buy him a Christmas present.
In simple words: Della wanted Jim to still love her because she sold her beautiful hair just to buy him a nice gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a "give reason" answer, clearly connect the action with the character's underlying motivation or feelings.

 

Question 37. Complete the following:
This conversation took place on .....................
Answer: Christmas Eve. This setting is crucial as it highlights the holiday spirit of giving.
In simple words: The story and this talk happened on the night before Christmas.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to time-related details in the text, as setting-based questions are common and easy to score on.

 

Question 38. Complete the following table:
Answer:

Noun	Adjective	Adverb
(1) labour	laborious	laboriously
(2) idiocy	idiotic	idiotically
(3) discretion	discreet	discreetly
(4) curiosity	curious	curiously

In simple words: This table shows how a single root word changes its form to act as a naming word (noun), a describing word (adjective), or an action-describing word (adverb).

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice word formation patterns, especially common suffixes like '-ous' for adjectives and '-ly' for adverbs, to quickly complete vocabulary tables.

 

Question 39.
(1) Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table. (Rewrite beginning 'Drawing....'.)
(2) The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. (Rewrite beginning 'Though '.)
Answer:
(1) Drawing a package from his overcoat pocket, Jim threw it upon the table.
(2) Though the magi brought valuable gifts, that was not among them. These transformations help vary sentence structure in writing.
In simple words: We can rewrite sentences using different starting words, like participles or conjunctions, without changing their original meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: When rewriting sentences, ensure you do not change the tense of the original sentence and place commas correctly after introductory clauses.

 

Question 40.
(1) The gift Jim had brought for Della was ........................
(2) The beautiful present flashed with ........................
(3) Jim and Della wanted to present the gifts because ........................
Answer:
(1) a set of beautiful, pure tortoise shell combs, with jewelled rims.
(2) a reflection of Della’s bright and ardent spirit.
(3) it was Christmas Eve, a time for giving gifts. These thoughtful presents represented their deep love for each other.
In simple words: Jim bought Della beautiful hair combs, and Della's gift shone brightly like her happy spirit. They exchanged these gifts because it was Christmas, which is a special time for sharing love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Make sure to match each sub-question with its correct numbered answer to avoid losing marks.

 

Question 41. Jim wanted to put the Christmas presents away and get back to daily life.
Answer: And now, suppose you put the chops on. This simple request showed his desire to return to their normal routine.
In simple words: Jim suggested they cook dinner to move past the emotional moment and return to their normal evening.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote the exact line from the text when asked to show a character's reaction or decision.

 

Question 42. Describe the scene when Della opened the package that Jim gave her.
Answer: Della opened the package that Jim had given her with nimble fingers. She first gave an ecstatic scream of joy, which soon changed to hysterical tears and wails. Jim had to immediately comfort and soothe her. However, she hugged the gift lovingly to her bosom. Her mixed emotions showed how much the gesture meant to her.
In simple words: Della was extremely happy when she first opened the gift, but she quickly started crying because she had cut her hair and couldn't use the combs. Even though she cried, she still held the gift close to her heart.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use descriptive words like 'ecstatic' and 'hysterical' to capture the intense emotional shift in Della's reaction.

 

Question 43. why Jim sold his gold watch. Do you think he did it willingly?
Answer: Jim sold his gold watch to buy a Christmas gift for Della. Yes, he did it willingly, even though it was his prized possession. His sacrifice highlights the depth of his affection for his wife.
In simple words: Jim sold his most valuable watch so he could afford to buy a beautiful Christmas present for Della. He did this happily because he loved her more than his watch.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering a two-part question, ensure you clearly address both parts: the reason for his action and your opinion on his willingness.

 

Question 44. why Jim and Della are referred to as the Magi.
Answer: Jim and Della are referred to as the Magi because first each willingly sacrificed his/her prized possession for the sake of the loved one. Then they wisely realized that unselfish love is the greatest of all gifts. Their actions mirror the spirit of the wise men who brought the very first Christmas gifts.
In simple words: The Magi were wise men who gave valuable gifts. Jim and Della are like them because they gave up their most precious belongings out of pure love for each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the connection between the characters and the historical/biblical Magi to show a deeper understanding of the story's theme.

 

Question 45. Pick out from the story the word that means the following, and state if it is a Noun, Verb or Adjective: sought after
Answer: sought after – coveted (Adjective). This word is often used to describe something that is highly valued and wanted by many people.
In simple words: The word "coveted" means that something is highly desired or wanted by everyone. It is used as an adjective to describe such popular items.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying parts of speech, look at how the word is used in the sentence to determine if it describes a noun (adjective) or shows an action (verb).

 

Question 46. Fill in the blanks with words from the passage that are the opposites of the underlined words: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)
(1) Something that is not .......................
(2) Something that is not .......................
(3) Men who are not ....................... are .......................
(4) Something that is not ....................... is .......................
Answer:
(1) cheap is expensive.
(2) bright is dull.
(3) foolish, wise.
(4) hated, worshipped.
Learning antonyms helps in expanding vocabulary and understanding contrasting concepts in literature.
In simple words: This exercise helps us find opposite words from the story. For example, the opposite of cheap is expensive, and the opposite of foolish is wise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always read the context of the passage to find the exact antonyms used by the author rather than guessing general opposites.

 

Question 47.
(1) Pick out two compound words from the lesson.
(2) Pick out a gerund from the lesson and use it in your own sentence.
(3) Punctuate: youve cut off your hair asked jim laboriously
(4) Find out five hidden words from the given word: ornamentation
(5) Use the following phrase in your own sentence: on the corner of the table
(6) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence: Jim be never late.
(7) Identify the type of sentence: Isn’t it a dandy. Jim?
(8) Arrange the following in alphabetical order: Christmas, cheeks, chaste, chain, chops, coveted
(9) Complete the word chain of animal names: duck, k......., o......., h......., e....... .
Answer:
(1) backyard, letter-box
(2) saying: He had the habit of saying cruel things with a smile on his face.
(3) “You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim, laboriously.
(4) ornamentation: ornament, remain, mentor, meant, rotate
(5) The little boy sat on the corner of the table.
(6) Jim was never late.
(7) Interrogative sentence.
(8) chain, chaste, cheeks, chops, Christmas, coveted
(9) duck, kangaroo, ostrich, horse, elephant.
These grammar exercises help build a strong foundation in English sentence structure and vocabulary usage.
In simple words: This is a grammar practice set covering compound words, punctuation, word chains, and sentence correction. It helps us understand how to write and arrange English words correctly.

🎯 Exam Tip: For word chains, ensure each new word starts with the last letter of the previous word and belongs strictly to the specified category, like animals.

 

Question 48. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy. (Rewrite in reported speech.)
Answer: He asked her, with an air of almost idiocy, whether she said that her hair was gone. He seemed completely unable to process the sudden change in her appearance.
In simple words: He asked her in a very confused way if she was saying that her hair was gone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When changing direct speech to indirect speech, remember to change the tenses and pronouns correctly while keeping the original meaning intact.

 

Question 49.
(1) Use the following word as a verb and a noun in two separate sentences: look
(2) Use the given two words in a single sentence of your own: reflection, terrified
Answer:
(1) (i) "Look to your left and right before crossing the road," said the policeman. (verb)
(ii) The woman gave the shopkeeper an angry look. (noun)
(2) The lion was terrified when it saw its reflection in the water. This classic story highlights how fear can make us lose our sense of reason.
In simple words: We used the word "look" first as an action and then as a noun, and we made a sentence using both "reflection" and "terrified".

🎯 Exam Tip: When using the same word as a noun and a verb, make sure the sentence structure clearly shows the part of speech being used.