Happy Home School

Guided Assignment

English Literature – Grade V

The Gifts

Reference to the Context

Due Date: Monday, 31​st​ August, 2020

“A Great Surprise”

Jim closed the door. Then he stood still. He began to stare at Della, and there was an
expression in his eyes which she could not understand. It frightened her. It was not anger, nor
surprise, nor horror, nor any of the feelings she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her
with a peculiar expression on his face.
Della went to him, quickly.
‘Jim!’ she cried. ‘Don’t look at me that way. I had my haircut off and sold it because I couldn’t
have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It’ll grow again - you don’t mind, do
you? I just had to do it. My hair grows very fast, you know. Please say, “Merry Christmas”, Jim,
and let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice - what a beautiful gift I’ve got for you.’
‘You’ve sold your hair?’ asked Jim, slowly, as if he had not really understood anything Della had
said to him.
I’ve cut it off and I sold it,’ said Della. ‘Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? My hair is gone,
but I’m just the same!”

Questions:

1.​ ​Explain how Jim reacts when he sees Della after the haircut?

2.​ ​Pick out a word which has the same meaning as “strange.”

3.​ ​Why do you think Della feels frightened?

4.​ ​‘I
couldn’t have lived through Christmas without giving you a present’. Why do you think it
was important for Della to buy a Christmas gift for her husband?

5.​ ​Imagine you are Jim. How would you react or behave after seeing Della in short curly hair?

Use the same words used in the passage. (You can refer to a dictionary to find suitable
synonyms)