THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
O. HENRY
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)
1. Della’s despair gave away to ecstatic joy.
2. The take off was delayed
on account of the bad weather.
3. We are on the lookout
for new opportunities.
4. Her conduct is so
strange that it beggar description.
5. I have some urgent work to attend to.
6. At last we
reached home.
7. The burglar had turned the house
inside out.
8. Della and Jim were made for each
other.
9. The two of them must
have been ‘meeting on the sly.
10. We are looking
for an improvement in our son’s performance this year.
B.
Fill in the blanks with the antonyms of the words underlined.
1. The iron rails expand in summer and contract in winter.
2. Writing a novel is a
laborious process: it is not easy.
3. We should remain calm in
adversity as we do in times of prosperity.
4. He is very proud of his
team’s achievements but is very modest about his
own glorious achievements.
5. The former option would
be much more sensible than the latter one.
6. In Bengaluru, the value
of properties has appreciated but the quality of life has depreciated.
7. Investing in shares requires prudence:
investing all your money in shares is imprudence.
V. LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
A. Dialogue writing: Pair work
1. Write an imaginary conversation between Della and Jim after they presented gifts to each other.
You may begin your conversation like this:
Della: Why are you looking so dull?
Jim: No, dear. I'm not.
Della: I told you, my hair will grow fast....
Jim: I know, but....
Della: But, what my dear?
Jim: What will you do with the gift I bought?
Della: Oh! The set of combs. They are lovely. I loved them.
Jim: I bought them for your beautiful hair.
Della:Yes, I know it Jim, don't you worry darling,
Jim: I will wear them.
Jim: Okay, when will you wear it...?
Della: I'm telling you once my hair grow.
Jim: I also loved you gift, my dear.
Della: I know but the watch has gone.
Jim: Don't feel so sad, love.
Grammar Revisited
A. Subject-verb agreement (Refer to appendix II before doing this
exercise)
Fill in the blanks with suitable forms of verbs
1. The number of visitors was
really large in the last week’s School Day celebrations.
2. The rapidity of
these movements is beyond expectation.
3. Time and tide waits for none.
4. Honour or
reputation is dearer than life.
5. The ship with all the passengers was sunk by the enemy.
6. Intelligence as well as industry is essential for
success in today’s competitive world.
7. Neither the hens nor the cock is in the yard.
8. Either James or I am going to get the prize.
9. Twenty thousand rupees is the price of a good mobile.
10. The staff is in a meeting.
11. Mathematics is my favourite
subject.
12. More than one person says
so.
13. Many a flower withers unseen.
14. The most readable part is the
last three chapters.
15. Ship after ship is leaving
for America.
16. The secretary and treasurer have
called, me to the once.
17. He is one of those who trust
everyone.
18. Each of the boys sings well
19. Every one of the chocolates was stale.
20. All of the pies are
spoilt.
21. Some of the pie is
missing.
22. None of the garbage was picked
up.
23. Either of us is capable of solving the problem
24. None but fools have ever believed it.
25. One of the students is
absent.
26. Not only the soldiers but also the officer was drunk.
27. The politician along with the newsman, is expected
shortly.
28. The pair of scissors belongs
to my uncle.
29. A lot of work has to
be done.
30. I wish I knew her
address.
A. 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 them
require inversion.
1. Not only does he bowl but
also bats well.
2. Not even once has the
doctor visited early.
3. On no account let anyone
know we’re interested.
4. Only by running at full speed we
can catch the train.
5. On no occasion have I met
my friend.
6. So badly I trusted her.
7. Seldom I have eaten this dish.
8. In no circumstances should
you lend Paul any money.
9. Nowhere could they find a
suitable cab.
10. To such a pitch we felt
moved to do something to celebrate the premiere
11. Only on that account he
would withdraw his money.
12. Only by paying double the money he
can sent that have.
C. Add suitable question tags to the following statements.
1. You like me just as well, don’t
you?
2. Let’s be happy on this Christmas Eve, shall we?
3. You like this gift, don’t you?
4. None can ever count my love for you, do you?
5. Its dandy, isn’t it?
6. Give it to me quick, will you?
7. Come in, will you?
8. Their gifts were no doubt wise ones, weren’t they?
9. They loved each other very much, didn’t
they?
10. I look like a Coney Island chorus- girl, don’t I?
