Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the ironic short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, which is an especially suitable narrative during the Christmas and winter holiday seasons. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
- Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
- Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
- Infer the protagonist’s motivation to find the right gift for her husband
- Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
- Define complex words as they are used in the text
- Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and eye dialect
- Articulate the intended effect of repetition in the context of the exposition
- Explain the significance of the color brown in the context of a given excerpt
- Explore the significance of the number forty in the context of the story
- Conduct brief online research in order to answer questions as needed
- Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
- Explore how third person limited point of view contributes to plot development
- Examine the narrator’s tone in the context of a given excerpt
- Explain how a particular phrase is an example of paradox (“repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love”)
- Choose a relevant theme in the context of a given excerpt
- Argue whether the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize a common noun (Combs) is acceptable
- Identify and explain several examples of sexist stereotypes throughout the story
- Identify and explain an example of foreshadowing
- Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
- Cite textual evidence in support of claims
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Short Stories for Christmas Quizzes, Close Readings, Vocabulary Games, and Test Bundle
Evaluate reading comprehension, support critical thinking, and embrace the spirit of Christmas and wintertime no matter the time of year with this bundle of plot-based quizzes, close reading analysis worksheets, vocabulary development exercises, and an end-of-unit test for six holiday-themed short stories: **"A Christmas Memory"** by Truman Capote, **"The Gift of the Magi"** by O. Henry, **"The Burglar's Christmas"** by Willa Cather, **"At Christmas Time"** by Anton Chekhov, **"The Heavenly Christmas Tree"** by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and **"Three Wise Guys"** by Sandra Cisneros. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will: * Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly * Define words and phrases as they are used in the text * Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings * Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences * Discern the intended effects of the authors' word choices and narrative techniques * Determine the functions of given excerpts * Describe and examine tone in context * Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop * Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, foreshadowing, idiom, metaphor, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, situational irony, and more * Consider themes in context * Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence * Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision * Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
$46.50
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"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry Quiz, Close Reading, and Vocab Games Bundle
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching O. Henry's Christmas-themed short story "The Gift of the Magi." A plot-based quiz, close reading analysis worksheet, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: * Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly * Define words and phrases as they are used in the text * Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings * Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences * Explore how the author's narrative techniques shape the readers' understanding of the story * Consider tone in context * Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop * Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, hyperbole, foreshadowing, paradox, and eye dialect * Isolate examples of sexist stereotypes throughout the story * Argue whether the author's stylistic choice to capitalize a common noun (Combs) is acceptable * Conduct brief online research in order to answer questions as needed * Choose a relevant theme in the context of a given excerpt * Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence * Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
$8.25
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Short Stories by O. Henry Quiz and Close Reading Analysis Bundle
Promote active engagement with ironic fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of O. Henry's short stories: "The Gift of the Magi," "The Last Leaf," "The Cop and the Anthem," and "After Twenty Years." Answer keys for every resource are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
$19.00
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