English Final Exam Review

1. English Final Exam Review Ms. Cothran 2014

2. “The Gift of the Magi” • Author: O’Henry • Setting: New York City; Christmas Eve; around 1900 • Main Characters: • Della- a young wife known for her beautiful, long hair • Jim-married to Della • Madame Sofronie-owner of a shop that sold “hair goods”

3. “The Gift of the magi”Questions • Describe Della and Jim’s financial status. They were very poor. Jim had recently taken a pay cut from $30 to $20 per week. • Why was Della so sad at the beginning of the story? She didn’t have enough money to buy Jim a Christmas gift. • What were Jim and Della’s most prized possessions? Jim’s pocket watch and Della’s hair • What did Della decide to do in order to buy Jim a gift? She decided to sell her hair to Madame Sofronie for $20. • What gift did she purchase for Jim? A platinum watch fob

4. “The Gift of the magi”Questions • What was Della’s worry when Jim came home? She worried that he would no longer think she was beautiful. • Why was Jim so stunned when he saw Della’s hair? His gift for her was a set of combs for her long hair. • How had he paid for the combs? He sold his watch. • Who were the Magi? They were wise men who brought valuable gifts to baby Jesus. • Why does O’Henry refer to Della and Jim as Magi? They gave valuable gifts based on love.

5. “The Scarlet ibis” • Author: James Hurst • Setting: a farm near a swamp; probably in North Carolina; around the time of WWI (1914-1918) • Main Characters: • Narrator-a boy who has a younger brother • Doodle-a young boy who has serious physical disabilities; his real name was William Armstrong

6. “The Scarlet Ibis” questions • How old was the narrator when Doodle was born? Six years old • What was unusual about Doodle at birth? He was born in a caul. Doodle wasn’t expected to live and even had a coffin built for him. • Why did the narrator call his brother Doodle? When he was learning to crawl, he crawled backward like a doodlebug. • Where did the boys like to go and spend their days? Old Woman Swamp • How is the narrator kind to Doodle? He teaches him to walk and spends time with him.

7. “The Scarlet Ibis” questions • How is he cruel to Doodle? He is embarrassed by him and leaves him behind. • What is the scarlet ibis and what happens to it in the story? The scarlet ibis is a bird that normally lives in the tropics. It was brought in by the storm and died. Doodle buries it. • What does the scarlet ibis symbolize in the story? Death • What happens to Doodle at the end of the story? He dies.

8. “The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant” • Author: W.D. Wetherall • Setting: Summer; 1960s; cabins on the Connecticut River • Main Characters: • Narrator-14 year old boy who loves fishing and Shelia Mant • Shelia-a 17 year old girl staying in the house next door to the narrator

9. “The Bass, the river, and Shelia Mant” questions • What special skills does the narrator share with Shelia to impress her? His swimming and diving skills. • What skills does he hide from her? His love of fishing • How do Shelia and the narrator travel on their date? In a canoe • What is Allusion? A literary Device that is brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. • Whom does the author allude to in this story? Jacqueline Kennedy and Ann Margret

10. “The Bass, the river, and Shelia Mant” questions • What happens on the canoe ride? Shelia talks about herself and how she hates fishing. The narrator forgets to leave his fishing equipment at home and has to hide it from her. He accidently catches a giant bass with the rod and reel attached to the boat. He makes the choice to cut it loose even though it is probably the biggest one he will ever see. • What does Shelia do when they get to the carnival? She leaves with another guy. • What was the mistake the narrator refers to at the end of the story? Choosing Shelia over the fish