LESSON 3 THE GIFT OF THE MAGI KSEEB SSLC CLASS 10 ENGLISH SOLUTIONS
LESSON 3 THE GIFT OF THE MAGI KSEEB SSLC CLASS 10 ENGLISH SOLUTIONS English medium Karnataka state board,the Answers Are Prepared By Our Teachers Which Are Simple ,Pointwise,Easy To Read And Remember ,
LESSON 3 THE GIFT OF THE MAGI KSEEB SSLC CLASS 10 ENGLISH SOLUTIONS
II. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS :
A. Answer briefly the following questions.
1.How did Della save her one dollar and eighty-seven cents?
ANSWER:-
– By bargaining with the grocer, vegetable man, and butcher for better prices .
2.The writer gives details of Jim’s flat. Pick out the details.
ANSWER:-
– Furnished flat at $8 per week.
– Letter-box into which no letter would go.
– Electric button that did not ring.
– Card bearing the name “Mr. James Dillingham Young” .
3.The card bearing the full name of Jim now had only one letter ‘D’ on it. State whether the statement is true or false.
ANSWER:-
– False. The card still had the full name “Mr. James Dillingham Young” .
4.What were the most precious possessions of Jim and Della?
ANSWER:-
– Jim’s gold watch and Della’s long, beautiful hair .
5.How has the writer compared Della’s hair to Queen of Sheba’s jewels?
ANSWER:-
– He suggests that Della’s hair would make the Queen of Sheba envious .
6.How has the writer compared Jim’s watch to King Solomon’s treasures?
ANSWER:-
– He suggests that Jim’s watch would make King Solomon envious .
7.Why did Della decide to sell her hair?
ANSWER:-
– To buy a worthy Christmas present for Jim .
8.How much money did she get for her hair?
ANSWER:-
– Twenty dollars .
9.What did Della buy for Jim?
ANSWER:-
– A platinum fob chain for his watch .
10.How was the gift worthy of the watch?
ANSWER:-
– It was a simple and elegant chain, suitable for Jim’s fine watch .
11.The writer says that the platinum chain was like Jim. How?
ANSWER:-
– It had quietness and value, reflecting Jim’s qualities .
12.What did Della try to fix before Jim got home?
ANSWER:-
– Her hair, using curling irons to repair the look .
13.What was Jim’s reaction when he saw Della without her lovely hair?
ANSWER:-
– He was shocked and stunned but reassured her of his love .
14.What was Jim’s gift for Della? Give a brief description of the gift.
ANSWER:-
– Tortoise shell combs with jeweled rims for her hair .
15.Were the gifts useful to each other?
ANSWER:-
– No, because Della had sold her hair and Jim had sold his watch .
16.How did Della react when she saw Jim’s gift for her?
ANSWER:-
– She cried with joy and love but realized the irony of the situation .
17.Jim and Della both gave up something dear to them. What does it tell us about them?
ANSWER:-
– It shows their deep love and willingness to sacrifice for each other .
18.O. Henry’s stories often blend humour and pathos. The description of the card bearing Jim’s name is an example of this. Can you identify one more example from the story?
ANSWER:-
– The irony of their gifts: Della’s combs for her lost hair and Jim’s chain for his sold watch .
19.Who were the Magi?
ANSWER:-
– The wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. They are considered wise because they gave valuable gifts out of love and respect .
20.What is the writer’s last word to the wise men of these days?
ANSWER:-
– That Jim and Della are the wisest, as they gave the greatest gift of all—sacrifice out of love .
B. Close Study
Read the following extracts carefully. Discuss in pairs and then write the answers to the questions given below them.
1. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love.
a) What does “generosity” refer to?
– “Generosity” refers to Della selling her long, beautiful hair to buy a special gift for Jim.
b) What repairing work was carried out?
– Della used curling irons to fix her short hair, which she had cut and sold.
c) Why was the girl repairing the ravages?
– Della was trying to improve her appearance after cutting her hair, which she did out of love and generosity for Jim.
2“A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer.”
a) What is the question alluded to here?
– The question alluded to is: What are the two most precious gifts?
b) What is the “right” answer?
– The right answer is the gifts given by Della and Jim: Della’s hair and Jim’s watch.
c) What is the implied meaning of the statement?
– The implied meaning is that the value of their gifts lies not in their material worth but in their love and sacrifice for each other .
III. PARAGRAPH WRITING :
Discuss in groups of four each the answers to the following questions. Individually, note down the important points for each question and then develop the points into one-paragraph answers.
1.Why are the gifts of Della and Jim compared to those of the Magi?
- Della and Jim sacrificed their most precious possessions for each other.
- The Magi brought valuable gifts for Jesus, symbolizing love and respect.
- Della sold her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch.
- Jim sold his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair.
- Their sacrifices show deep love and selflessness.
- The comparison emphasizes the true spirit of giving.
2. Write on the appropriateness of the title.
- The title alludes to the biblical Magi.
- Della and Jim’s sacrifices mirror the Magi’s generosity.
- Their gifts were chosen out of love, not material value.
- The irony of their unusable gifts highlights their love.
- The title underscores the theme of selfless giving.
- It reflects the wisdom in their acts of love.
3. Imagine that you are Della and write on the conflict you went through before you sacrificed your hair.
- I cherished my long, beautiful hair.
- Selling it was a painful decision.
- I wanted to buy a special gift for Jim.
- I knew Jim admired my hair.
- My love for Jim outweighed my attachment to my hair.
- The sacrifice showed my deep love and commitment to him.
IV. VOCABULARY EXERCISES :
A. Fill in the blanks with the phrases given in the box below.
(beggar description, at last, made for, turn inside out, on the sly,on account of, give way, look for, be on the lookout for, to attend to)
- Della’s despair gave way to ecstatic joy.
- The takeoff was delayed on account of the bad weather.
- We are on the lookout for new opportunities.
- Her conduct is so strange that it beggars description.
- I have some urgent work to attend to.
- At last, we reached home.
- The burglar had turned the house inside out.
- Della and Jim were made for each other.
- The two of them must have been meeting on the sly.
- We look for an improvement in our son’s performance this year.
B. Fill in the blanks with the antonyms of the words underlined
- The iron rails expand in summer and contract in winter.
- Writing a novel is a laborious process; it is not easy.
- We should remain calm in adversity as we do in times of prosperity.
- He is very proud of his team’s achievements, but is very humble about his own glorious achievements.
- The former option would be much more sensible than the latter one.
- In Bengaluru, the value of properties has appreciated, but the quality of life has declined.
- Investing in shares requires prudence; investing all your money in shares is imprudent.
V. LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES :
A. Dialogue writing: Pair work.
1. Write an imaginary conversation between Della and Jim after they presented gifts to each other.
AANSWER:-
Della: Jim, I have a special gift for you. I hope you like it.
Jim: Della, you didn’t need to get me anything. We can’t afford much this Christmas.
Della: I wanted to, Jim. I sold my hair to buy this for you. Here, it’s a platinum fob chain for your watch.
Jim: (surprised) Oh, Della, I love you so much. But I have something to tell you. I sold my watch to buy these beautiful combs for your hair.
Della: (tears welling up) Oh, Jim, they’re wonderful. But my hair will grow back. We have our love, and that’s the greatest gift.
Jim: Yes, Della. Our love and sacrifices for each other are what truly matter.
Della: This Christmas, we’ve shown how much we care. I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.
Jim:You’re right. We are the richest couple, not in possessions, but in love.
Della: Let’s keep these gifts as symbols of our love and sacrifices.
Jim:Agreed. Merry Christmas, Della.
Della: Merry Christmas, Jim. I love you.
Jim: I love you too, Della.
B. Reporting:
Read the following dialogue between Della and Jim carefully and rewrite it in the reported speech.
Original Dialogue:
“Jim darling,” cried Della, “don’t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold it. It’ll grow out again. You won’t mind, will you? I just had to do it.”
“You have cut off your hair?” asked Jim laboriously.
“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me as well anyhow? I’m me without my hair, ain’t I?”
“You say your hair is gone?” he said with almost an air of idiocy.
“You needn’t look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you – sold and gone, too. It’s Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?”
ANSWER:-
Reported Speech:
Della cried to Jim, asking him not to look at her that way and explaining that she had cut off and sold her hair. She reassured him that it would grow out again and asked if he wouldn’t mind, saying she just had to do it. Jim laboriously asked if she had cut off her hair. Della confirmed, saying she had cut it off and sold it. She asked if he didn’t like her just as well without her hair, asserting that she was still herself. Jim, with almost an air of idiocy, repeated that her hair was gone. Della told him he needn’t look for it because it was sold and gone, reminding him that it was Christmas Eve and asking him to be good to her since she had done it for him. She then asked if she should put the chops on.
C. Reporting: Oral (Pair work)
Imagine you went for an interview where they asked you the following questions. Tell your partner what questions were asked using
indirect speech.
a) What is your name?
b) How old are you?
c) Where do you live?
d) Have you passed the 10th standard?
e) Do you know cycling?
f) Why do you want to work?
g) Why don’t you continue your studies?
h) What games do you play?
i) How much salary do you expect?
j) Are you ready to work for a few extra hours, if you are asked to?
ANSWER:-
In the interview, they asked me about my name, age, place of residence, whether I had passed the 10th standard, if I knew how to cycle, the reason for wanting to work, why I wasn’t continuing my studies, the games I played, the salary I expected, and if I was willing to work extra hours if requested.
D. In the following set of sentences, the sequencing of events is jumbled. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.
1. She listens to other people and changes her mind if it is necessary.
2. My father, on the other hand, is very stubborn.
3. My mother is open-minded; she doesn’t stick to one idea.
4. I think they have only one personality trait in common.
5. They are both very giving to my sister and me.
6. If he has an opinion, he refuses to change it.
ANSWER:-
- My mother is open-minded; she doesn’t stick to one idea.
- She listens to other people and changes her mind if it is necessary.
- They are both very giving to my sister and me.
- My father, on the other hand, is very stubborn.
- If he has an opinion, he refuses to change it.
- I think they have only one personality trait in common.
E. Read the first paragraph of the story carefully. It has seven sentences. The first three sentences are very short (the first
sentence has five words, the second, three, the third eight words). They are followed by quite a long sentence (34 words)
and the next three sentences are again very short.
Such a mixture is a matter of style. It adds variety to the narration.
i) Can you pick up one more such example from the story?
ii) Can you try writing a paragraph on one of the following using a
similar style :
a) Love
b) Friendship
c) Sacrifice?
ANSWER:-
i) Another example of this style can be found in the paragraph starting with sentence 6. The first three sentences are relatively short, followed by a longer sentence (sentence 6), and then three short sentences again.
ii) here’s a paragraph on friendship using a similar style:
In a world bustling with noise and haste, friendship emerges as a gentle whisper, a sanctuary amidst the chaos. It’s the shared laughter over silly jokes, the comfort in silent companionship, and the unwavering support during turbulent times. Like a sturdy anchor in a tempest, friendship steadies our souls. It’s the familiar warmth of a hand reaching out in the darkness, the reassuring presence that soothes our anxieties. Through the ebb and flow of life’s tides, true friendship remains a steadfast beacon, guiding us home to the embrace of kindred spirits
F. Letter writing
Imagine that you are a Social Service volunteer and have been camping in a village for ten days. Write a letter about your experience to the Editor of a daily
From:
[write your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
To:
The Editor
Of the Daily
Subject: A Glimpse into Rural Life: My Volunteer Experience
Dear Editor,
I’m writing to share my recent ten-day stint as a Social Service volunteer in a rural village.
From the outset, the village’s simplicity and warmth captivated me. The residents, eager to share their stories, welcomed me graciously. Immersing myself in their daily routines unveiled the resilience and resourcefulness inherent in rural communities.
Collaborating with villagers on community projects was immensely rewarding. Together, we planted trees, held health awareness camps, and organized educational workshops. Witnessing their collective effort reaffirmed my faith in grassroots initiatives.
The spirit of solidarity among villagers was inspiring. Despite facing challenges, they supported each other unwaveringly, leaving a profound impression on me.
However, my experience also highlighted pressing issues like inadequate infrastructure and economic disparities. These underscore the need for sustained support and intervention.
In conclusion, my volunteer experience was transformative, deepening my appreciation for rural life’s resilience. I’m grateful for the opportunity and remain committed to empowering marginalized communities.
Thank you for considering my reflections.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Social Service Volunteer
[City, State, ZIP Code
B. Look carefully at the following series of pictures. They tell us a story. In pairs, narrate the story to each other
Discuss and write down:
a. The moral of the story
b. A title or a caption for the story
ANSWER;-
a.The moral of the story could be about the importance of cooperation and teamwork. When the dogs tried to pull in opposite directions, they couldn’t reach the food. But when they decided to work together, they were able to enjoy the meal. This teaches us that working together towards a common goal is more beneficial than working against each other.
b.Title or Caption: “Strength in Unity: The Tale of Two Dogs”
IX. GRAMMAR REVISITED :
A. Subject-verb agreement (Refer to Appendix II before doing this exercise)
Fill in the blanks with the suitable forms of the verbs given in brackets :
- The number of visitors was really large in the last week’s School Day celebrations.
- The rapidity of these movements **is** beyond expectation.
- Time and tide wait for none.
- Honour or reputation is dearer than life.
- The ship with all the passengers was sunk by the enemy.
- Intelligence as well as industry is essential for success in today’s competitive world.
- Neither the hens nor the cock is in the yard.
- Either James or I am going to get the prize.
- Twenty thousand rupees is the price of a good mobile.
- The staff is in a meeting.
- Mathematics is my favourite subject.
- More than one person says so.
- Many a flower withers unseen.
- The most readable part is the last three chapters.
- Ship after ship is leaving for America.
- The secretary and treasurer have called me to the office.
- He is one of those who trust everyone.
- Each of the boys sings well.
- Every one of the chocolates was stale.
- All of the pies are spoilt.
- Some of the pie is missing.
- None of the garbage was picked up.
- Either of us is capable of solving the problem.
- None but fools have ever believed it.
- One of the students is absent.
- Not only the soldiers but also the officer was drunk.
- The politician along with the newsman, is expected shortly.
- The pair of scissors belongs to my uncle.
- A lot of work has to be done.
- I wish I knew her address.
B. Inversion
Some phrase-openings require inversion of subject and verb. E.g. At no time have I seen him so upset.
Make sentences using the following phrase openings. All of themrequire inversion.
- Not only did she finish her project ahead of schedule, but she also exceeded all expectations.
- Not even once has he missed a deadline.
- On no account should you disclose your password to anyone.
- Only by running at full speed could he catch the last train.
- On no occasion did she raise her voice during the meeting.
- So badly damaged was the car that it couldn’t be repaired.
- Seldom have I encountered such kindness from strangers.
- In no circumstances should you attempt to enter the restricted area.
- Nowhere in the city could we find a decent place to eat at that hour.
- To such a pitch had the tension risen that it was palpable in the room.
- Only on that account did he agree to sign the contract.
- Only by paying double the money could she secure a last-minute reservation
C. Add suitable question tags to the following statements
- You like me just as well, don’t you?
- Let’s be happy on this Christmas Eve, shall we?
- You like this gift, don’t you?
- None can ever count my love for you, can they?
- It’s dandy, isn’t it?
- Give it to me quick, will you?
- Come in, won’t you?
- Their gifts were no doubt wise ones, weren’t they?
- They loved each other very much, didn’t they?
- I look like a Coney Island chorus-girl, don’t I?
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