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Quiz about The Gift of the Magi
Quiz about The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi Trivia Quiz


This quiz tests players' knowledge of the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Best of luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by Triviaballer. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Triviaballer
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
298,739
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1679
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 117 (10/10), Sethdv7 (10/10), Guest 154 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. How much money did Della count out at the beginning of the story? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Upon moral reflection, what did Della (Mrs. James Dillingham Young) decide that life was made up of? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What important day is tomorrow in "The Gift of the Magi"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What did Della sell Madame Sofronie for $20? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What did Della buy for her husband Jim for $21? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What did Della think Jim would think her new look reminded him of? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What prayer did Della say to herself when she heard Jim come inside? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What did Jim get Della as a gift? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. How did Jim pay for his Christmas gift to Della? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What two words did O. Henry use when describing the couple in relation to the Biblical Magi? Hint





Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 117: 10/10
Mar 26 2024 : Sethdv7: 10/10
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 154: 8/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 190: 8/10
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 175: 10/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 151: 10/10
Mar 07 2024 : Guest 117: 8/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 49: 9/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 88: 1/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. How much money did Della count out at the beginning of the story?

Answer: $1.87

"The Gift of the Magi" begins with the following lines. 'One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies'. Della counted the change three times just to make sure that she didn't have more than the little amount she had.
2. Upon moral reflection, what did Della (Mrs. James Dillingham Young) decide that life was made up of?

Answer: Sobs, sniffles and smiles

After Della counted her money she flopped down on the couch and began to scream and cry. Sobs, sniffles and smiles seem to be a progression from sadness to satisfaction.
3. What important day is tomorrow in "The Gift of the Magi"?

Answer: Christmas

Della had spent many hours planning on what to buy Jim for Christmas so she was obviously saddened when she realized how little money she had for his gift. The Dillingham's income had recently gone from $30 per week to $20 per week.
4. What did Della sell Madame Sofronie for $20?

Answer: Most of her hair

Madame Sofronie simply looked at Della's hair and ran her hand through it before offering $20. After she sold her hair, Della spent the next two hours looking for a gift for Jim.
5. What did Della buy for her husband Jim for $21?

Answer: A platinum fob chain

According to Della, the platinum fob chain was simple and chaste in design. Jim used to use an old leather strap instead of a chain for his watch.
6. What did Della think Jim would think her new look reminded him of?

Answer: A Coney Island chorus girl

Della felt that "If Jim doesn't kill me before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl". Della prepared for Jim's arrival by making coffee and pork chops.
7. What prayer did Della say to herself when she heard Jim come inside?

Answer: Please, God, make him think I am still pretty.

Della had a habit of saying little silent prayers about simple everyday things. Della said this prayer after hearing Jim begin to walk up the steps to their flat.
8. What did Jim get Della as a gift?

Answer: A set of combs

As can be expected, Jim was quite shocked when he saw that Della had cut her hair. Jim affirmed his love to Della by telling her "I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less".
9. How did Jim pay for his Christmas gift to Della?

Answer: He sold his watch.

Jim was obviously flabbergasted when he saw that Della had gotten him a chain for his beloved watch. Jim smiled and told Della that the presents were just too nice to use at the present time.
10. What two words did O. Henry use when describing the couple in relation to the Biblical Magi?

Answer: Foolish and wise

Jim and Della foolishly sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures (Della's hair and Jim's watch) of their house. However, they were also the wisest because they realized that the Christmas season is the time to be unselfish with gifts like the Biblical Magi were.
Source: Author Triviaballer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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