PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Gift for Christmas Important Question Answers from English Main Course Book
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Gift for Christmas Textbook Questions
A. Comprehension Questions
(i) Answer the following questions in your own words:
1. Why was Della crying?
Ans: Della was crying because she had only $1.87 to buy a Christmas present for her beloved husband Jim, despite saving every penny she could for months. This meager amount was far too little to purchase the fine and rare gift she had dreamed of giving him, something truly worthy of his love. Her tears reflected her frustration, disappointment, and feelings of inadequacy as a wife. She had spent many happy hours planning the perfect gift for Jim, and the harsh reality that she couldn’t afford anything meaningful overwhelmed her. The approaching Christmas Day made her poverty especially painful, as she desperately wanted to express her love through a worthy present but lacked the means to do so.
2. Describe the poverty of Della’s house.
Ans: Della and Jim lived in a furnished flat that cost eight dollars per week rent, leaving them with very limited money for other expenses. The narrator explicitly states that “you see signs of poverty wherever you turn your eyes,” indicating that their financial struggle was visible in every aspect of their home. The furniture included a “dirty little couch,” suggesting worn, shabby furnishings that couldn’t be properly maintained or replaced. The flat was small and sparsely furnished with basic necessities. Their poverty stemmed from Jim’s meager salary of only twenty dollars per week, which barely covered rent and basic living expenses. Everything about their home reflected financial hardship, from the modest furnishings to the overall atmosphere of deprivation and struggle.
3. What type of present had Della planned for Jim?
Ans: Della had spent many happy hours planning to buy something “nice,” “fine and rare” for Jim, a gift worthy of the honor of being owned by him. She wanted something exceptional and uncommon, not just any ordinary present. The gift had to match her high regard for her husband and reflect the depth of her love and admiration for him. She envisioned something special that would bring Jim joy and show how much she treasured him. Though she didn’t have a specific item in mind initially, she knew it had to be of excellent quality and significance. When she finally found the platinum watch chain, she recognized it immediately as the perfect gift, simple, elegant, well-made, and ideal for Jim’s treasured gold watch, with no other like it in any store.
4. What were the two prized possessions of Jim?
Ans: Jim’s two most prized possessions were his gold watch and Della’s beautiful hair. The gold watch was an especially treasured family heirloom that had been passed down through generations, it had belonged to his grandfather and then his father before coming to him. This watch represented not just monetary value but family legacy, tradition, and connection to his ancestors. It was something in which he took immense pride. Though technically Della’s hair was her possession rather than Jim’s, the story emphasizes that both Jim and Della took great pride in it together, it was one of the two possessions “of the James Dillingham Youngs.” Jim clearly treasured and admired Della’s magnificent hair as much as she did, making it precious to him as well.
5. Describe the present Della bought for Jim.
Ans: Della bought a platinum watch chain for Jim’s gold watch. The watch chain was simple in design but beautifully crafted and well-made, reflecting quality workmanship rather than flashy ornamentation. Made of platinum (an expensive precious metal), it was both elegant and durable. As soon as Della saw it in the store, she knew immediately it was the right present for Jim. The chain perfectly matched the dignity and value of Jim’s treasured gold watch. The narrator emphasizes that “there was no other like it in any of the stores,” making it unique and special. It was “worthy of the watch,” meaning its quality matched the excellence of Jim’s family heirloom. The chain cost twenty-one dollars, which consumed all twenty dollars from selling her hair plus eighty-seven cents from her original savings.
6. How did Della manage to buy the gift?
Ans: Della managed to buy the expensive gift by selling her most precious possession, her beautiful long hair. She went to Madame Sofronie’s shop that specialized in “Hair Goods of All Kinds” located on the second floor. When she offered to sell her hair, Madame Sofronie examined it professionally and offered twenty dollars for it. Della accepted immediately without bargaining, saying “Give it to me quickly,” showing her determination to complete the transaction before losing courage. This twenty dollars, combined with her original savings of $1.87, gave her $21.87 total, just enough to purchase the platinum watch chain for twenty-one dollars. Her sacrifice of her crowning beauty enabled her to buy a gift worthy of Jim’s love.
7. What did Della think when she looked at herself in the mirror?
Ans: After returning home with the watch chain, Della looked at her reflection in the mirror “long, carefully, and critically” and became nervous and anxious about her appearance. She tried to repair the damage by bringing out her curling irons and carefully curling her short hair, but the result made her look like a schoolboy rather than a beautiful woman. She worried that Jim might be angry or disappointed. She said to herself, “If Jim doesn’t kill me before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a boy.” Despite her fears, she rationalized her decision by thinking “But what could I do, Oh! What could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?” This shows she understood the necessity of her sacrifice but still felt anxious about Jim’s reaction to her dramatically changed appearance.
8. What was Jim’s reaction on seeing Della’s hair gone?
Ans: When Jim first saw Della with her hair cut off, he stopped at the doorway and stared at her with a strange, fixed expression that Della couldn’t read and that terrified her. It was neither anger nor surprise, just an odd, intense stare. He looked at her continuously without speaking, making her increasingly nervous. When she explained what she had done, Jim seemed dazed and kept asking about her hair being gone, as if he couldn’t process or believe the information: “You’ve cut off your hair?” and “You say, your hair is gone?” He spoke with difficulty and looked about the room curiously with “an air almost of disbelief.” He seemed unable to fully comprehend what had happened. Finally, he “seemed to wake up at last, and to understand,” then embraced and kissed Della, assuring her that nothing could make him love her less. His strange reaction was due to shock at the coincidence, he had just bought expensive combs for her long hair.
9. What explanation did Della give to Jim for getting her hair cut?
Ans: Della rushed to explain to Jim that she had her hair cut off and sold because she had to buy a Christmas present for him, she “just had to do it.” She emphasized that it was absolutely necessary given her limited resources. To comfort him and ease any concerns, she assured him that her hair grows very fast, implying it would soon grow back. She begged him not to look at her in that strange way and not to mind what she had done. Della asked him to say “Merry Christmas” and be happy rather than upset. She tried to shift his attention to the gift itself saying “You don’t know what a nice, what a beautiful present I’ve got for you.” Her explanation emphasized that the sacrifice was motivated entirely by love and the desire to give him something worthy of him. She pleaded with him: “It’s Christmas Eve, Jim. Be good to me, because I did it all for you,” making clear that her actions stemmed from devotion rather than carelessness or vanity.
10. What was in the package that Jim had brought for Della?
Ans: The package contained a set of beautiful, expensive combs, side combs and back combs, that Della had admired longingly in a Broadway shop window. These were not ordinary combs but decorative hair ornaments designed to hold and adorn long, beautiful hair. They were the kind of luxurious accessories that Della could never afford to buy for herself. The combs were perfect for her magnificent hair and represented exactly the type of elegant gift she would have treasured. However, the timing was cruelly ironic, they were now useless because Della had just sold the very hair they were meant to adorn. Despite this, Della held them lovingly and smiled through her tears, showing she appreciated both the gift and Jim’s love and sacrifice in buying them.
11. How had Jim managed to bring the present for Della?
Ans: Jim managed to buy the expensive combs for Della by selling his most treasured possession, his gold watch, the family heirloom that had belonged to his grandfather and father. At the end of the story, when Della eagerly presents him with the platinum watch chain and urges him to put it on his watch, Jim gently suggests they put their Christmas presents away for a while because “they are too nice to use just at present.” Then he reveals the truth: “I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” This confession shows that Jim made exactly the same type of sacrifice Della did, each sold their most precious possession to buy a gift for the other’s most precious possession, creating the story’s central irony.
(ii) Answer the following questions in about 50 words each:
1. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. Why?
Ans: Despite Della’s careful planning and budgeting, actual living expenses exceeded her calculations because twenty dollars per week was simply insufficient for two people’s needs. Basic necessities like rent (eight dollars), food, utilities, and other unavoidable costs always exceeded expectations. O. Henry notes that expenses exceeding calculations is a universal truth, especially for poor people: “They always are.” When living on the edge of poverty with no financial cushion, even small unexpected costs, a slightly higher food price, worn clothing needing replacement, minor emergencies, quickly consume any planned savings. Della’s months of sacrifice produced only $1.87 because survival costs absorbed almost everything Jim earned, leaving virtually nothing for extras like Christmas gifts.
2. Describe the incident of Della’s selling her hair in your own words.
Ans: After deciding to sacrifice her beautiful hair, Della quickly put on her old brown jacket and hat and rushed to Madame Sofronie’s hair goods shop on the second floor. Without hesitation, she asked directly: “Will you buy my hair?” Madame Sofronie, clearly experienced in this business, asked Della to remove her hat to examine the merchandise. When Della let down her magnificent brown cascade of hair, Madame assessed it with her professional eye and offered twenty dollars. Della, determined to complete the transaction before losing courage, responded urgently: “Give it to me quickly.” The transaction was swift and businesslike, no bargaining, no sentiment, just a simple exchange. Della then spent the next two hours eagerly searching stores for Jim’s perfect gift.
3. Why was Della pleased with her selection of the present for Jim?
Ans: Della was extremely pleased with the platinum watch chain because it perfectly matched Jim’s treasured gold watch in quality and elegance. The chain was simple rather than flashy, but beautifully crafted and well-made, reflecting the same understated excellence as Jim’s family heirloom watch. Most importantly, it was unique, “there was no other like it in any of the stores”, making it truly special. The moment Della saw it, she knew instinctively it was right: “It surely had been made for Jim and no one else.” The chain was “worthy of the watch,” meaning its quality deserved Jim’s precious possession. After months of dreaming about finding something “fine and rare” for Jim, she had finally discovered a gift that matched her love and his worth.
4. Why does the storywriter call Jim ‘a poor fellow’?
Ans: O. Henry calls Jim a “poor fellow” because at only twenty-two years old, he already carried the heavy burden of supporting a family on an inadequate salary of twenty dollars per week. The phrase emphasizes both his youth and his difficult circumstances. He looked “thin and very serious,” suggesting the stress and strain of poverty had aged him beyond his years. The narrator notes that “he needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves,” highlighting how Jim couldn’t even afford basic necessities for himself. The term “poor fellow” evokes sympathy, Jim was trying his best to provide and be a good husband, yet circumstances kept him trapped in poverty despite his efforts. His serious, burdened appearance contrasted sadly with his young age.
5. What do you think about the expression in Jim’s eyes? Was it shock, surprise or anger? Why?
Ans: The expression in Jim’s eyes was primarily shock rather than anger or simple surprise. Jim stood frozen, staring at Della with an unreadable expression that terrified her because it was “neither anger, nor surprise”, it was something deeper and stranger. His shock came from the cruel irony of their situation: he had just spent all his money buying beautiful combs for Della’s long hair, only to discover she had cut and sold that very hair. He couldn’t immediately process this devastating coincidence. His repeated questions, “You’ve cut off your hair?” “You say, your hair is gone?”, and his difficulty speaking showed he was struggling to comprehend what happened. The expression wasn’t anger at Della but stunned disbelief at fate’s ironic twist that had made both their sacrifices seemingly pointless.
6. Both of them gave each other the gift of rare love. How? Explain.
Ans: Jim and Della gave each other the gift of rare, selfless love through their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other’s happiness. Della sold her beautiful, treasured hair, her crowning glory and source of pride, to buy Jim a worthy gift. Jim sold his gold watch, a priceless family heirloom connecting him to his father and grandfather, to buy Della the combs she admired. Each sacrifice was made secretly, lovingly, and without expectation of reciprocation. Though the gifts themselves became temporarily useless due to the ironic circumstances, the love, devotion, and sacrifice they represented were priceless and permanent. They proved their love wasn’t about material possessions but about putting the other person’s happiness above their own most treasured belongings. This selfless giving represents the truest, rarest form of love.
(iii) Write true or false against the following statements:
1. Jim loved Della more than she loved him.
2. Della could easily buy a present for Jim without selling her hair.
3. Della was proud of being Jim’s wife.
4. Both the gifts proved their true love for each other.
5. Jim and Della could do without gifts.
Ans.:
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True
B. Vocabulary Exercises
(i) Gerunds – Look at the sentences:
“She went up to the looking glass.” “She brought out her curling irons.”
The words looking and curling are verbs ending in -ing and have the force of noun as well as verb. Such words are called ‘gerunds’.
(ii) Supply suitable gerunds in the blanks:
1. I am not interested in ______ a celebrity. (become)
2. I am used to ______ by the phone. (sleep)
3. I feel like ______ the mountains. (climb)
4. Your plants need ______. (prune)
5. He didn’t want to risk ______ the boss. (annoy)
6. I am not interested in ______ in luxury. (live)
7. Will it help if we try ______ the cake back in the oven? (put)
8. I feel like ______ across the river. (swim)
9. I am not used to ______ irregular hours. (work)
10. I am not used to ______ overtime. (do)
Ans.
1.Becoming
2. Sleeping
3. Climbing
4. Pruning
5. Annoying
6. Living
7. Putting
8. Swimming
9. Working
10. Doing
ii (a) Combine the nouns with gerunds in the table to form meaningful compound nouns.
Given words:
Nouns: fruit, coal, lorry, bird, weight, fish
Gerunds: farming, picking, lifting, mining, watching, driving
Ans.
fruit picking – the activity of gathering ripe fruit from trees or plants
coal mining – the process of extracting coal from the ground
lorry driving – the occupation of operating large trucks/lorries
bird watching – the hobby of observing birds in their natural habitat
weight lifting – the sport or exercise of lifting heavy weights
fish farming – the business of raising fish commercially (aquaculture)
(b) Now combine the gerunds with the nouns to form compound nouns:
Given words:
Gerunds: waiting, diving, dining, driving, swimming, housing, skating
Nouns: committee, pool, rink, licence, board, hall, room
Ans:
waiting room – a room where people wait (at doctor’s office, station, etc.)
diving board – a springboard from which swimmers dive into a pool
dining hall – a large room where meals are served (in schools, hostels)
driving licence – an official document permitting someone to drive
swimming pool – a structure filled with water for swimming
housing committee – a group that manages housing issues and policies
skating rink – a surface for ice skating or roller skating
(iii) Fill in the blanks with the suitable word:
1. Happiness is to sorrow as strength is to ______. (muscle/lion/weakness/strong)
2. Touch is to strike as whisper is to ______. (shout/kill/quiet/anger)
3. Snow is to white as honey is to ______. (light/bee/sweet/tree)
4. Deep is to shallow as bold is to ______. (dull/strong/timid/loud)
5. Bear is to cub as horse is to ______. (lamb/fawn/foal/kid)
6. Herd is to deer as bunch is to ______. (people/chickens/cattle/keys)
7. Horse is to neigh as lamb is to ______. (bleat/screech/roar/yell)
8. Haste is to delay as honour is to ______. (king/judge/shame/prize)
9. Puppy is to dog as fawn is to ______. (bear/wolf/duck/deer)
10. Victory is to defeat as vague is to ______. (lose/definite/virtue/fame)
Ans.
1. Weakness
2. Shout
3. Sweet
4. Timid
5. Foal
6. Keys
7. Bleat
8. Shame
9. Deer
10. Definite
C. Grammar Exercises
(i) Look at the sentences:
“She put on her old brown hat.” “Della got off the table and moved towards him.”
When a preposition or an adverb is placed after a verb, the phrase so formed gives a variety of meanings.
Now fill in the blanks with the phrases given below:
Phrases: put off, look ahead, put out, look after, put on, look out, put forward, look up.
1. Will you …… my dog when I am away.
2. You should …… and make plans for your future.
3. While swimming in the sea, …….. for sharks.
4. He was depressed after his accident, but with time, life began to …….
5. …….. the light, I want to read.
6. …….. the light, I want to sleep.
7. I shall ……. my visit to Delhi till the weather is fine.
8. The new officers ……. many new suggestions.
Ans.
1. Look after
2. Look ahead
3. Look out
4. Look up
5. Put on
6. Put out
7. Put off
8. Put forward
(ii) Correct the following sentences: (errors in the use of prepositions)
1. To save the child he jumped in the well.
2. You have to answer on your misbehaviour.
3. He did not agree with my proposal.
4. We should abide with the decision of the management.
5. He has been accused for theft.
6. You must apologize from the boss on your misbehaviour.
7. The student assured the teacher with his honesty.
8. Della was absorbed with her studies.
9. The nurse is attending near your father.
10. He is addicted from drugs.
Ans.
1. To save the child he jumped into the well.
2. You have to answer for your misbehaviour.
3. He did not agree to my proposal.
4. We should abide by the decision of the management.
5. He has been accused of theft.
6. You must apologize to the boss for your misbehaviour.
7. The student assured the teacher of his honesty.
8. Della was absorbed in her studies.
9. The nurse is attending to/on your father
10. He is addicted to drugs.
(iii) Rewrite the following in the Indirect Form of Narration:
1. “You have cut off your hair?” asked Jim, speaking with difficulty. “Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me just as well, without my hair?”
Ans: Jim, speaking with difficulty, asked Della if she had cut off her hair. Della replied that she had cut it off and sold it. She then asked him if he didn’t like her just as well without her hair.
2. “You needn’t look for it,” said Della. “Be good to me, because I did it all for you.”
Ans: Della told Jim that he needn’t look for it. She requested him to be good to her because she had done it all for him.
3. “Isn’t it lovely, Jim? I hunted all over the town to find it. You will have to look at your watch a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it,” said Della to Jim.
Ans: Della asked Jim if it wasn’t lovely. She told him that she had hunted all over the town to find it. She added that he would have to look at his watch a hundred times a day then. She requested him to give her his watch as she wanted to see how it looked on it.
D. Pronunciation Practice
Check up the pronunciation of the following words in the dictionary and say them aloud.
| wool | onion | suite |
| lamb | oven | adjective |
| cough | potato | interrogative |
| ewe | quay | bury |
| hero | suggestion | exhibition |
Detailed Pronunciation Guide
1. wool
Pronunciation: “wull” (rhymes with “pull” and “full”)
Common mistake: Not pronouncing it like “cool” – the vowel sound is shorter
Tip: The ‘oo’ here sounds like the ‘u’ in “put”
2. onion
Pronunciation: “UN-yun”
Syllables: on-ion (2 syllables, stress on first)
Common mistake: Pronouncing it as “on-ee-on” (3 syllables)
Tip: The first syllable sounds like “un” in “under”
3. suite
Pronunciation: “sweet” (exactly like the adjective meaning sugary)
Common mistake: Pronouncing it like “suit”
Tip: Remember: “suite” sounds like “sweet”, “suit” sounds like “soot”
Note: This is a French borrowing referring to a set of rooms or furniture
4. lamb
Pronunciation: “lam”
Common mistake: Trying to pronounce the ‘b’ at the end
Tip: The ‘b’ is completely silent – just say “lam”
Similar words: bomb, comb, climb, thumb (all have silent ‘b’)
5. oven
Pronunciation: “UV-un”
Common mistake: Pronouncing the ‘o’ as in “over”
Tip: The first syllable sounds like “uv” not “ov”
Note: Stress on the first syllable
6. adjective
Pronunciation: “AD-jik-tiv”
Syllables: ad-jec-tive (3 syllables, stress on first)
Common mistake: Saying “ad-JECK-tive” with stress on second syllable
Tip: First syllable “ad” as in “add”
7. cough
Pronunciation: “koff” (rhymes with “off”)
Common mistake: Pronouncing the ‘gh’ or making it sound like “cow”
Tip: The ‘gh’ is silent; sounds like “off” with a ‘k’ at the start
Similar words: tough, rough, enough (same ‘ough’ sound)
8. potato
Pronunciation: “puh-TAY-toh”
Syllables: po-ta-to (3 syllables, stress on middle)
Common mistake: Equal stress on all syllables
Tip: Middle syllable “tay” gets the emphasis
9. interrogative
Pronunciation: “in-tuh-ROG-uh-tiv”
Syllables: in-ter-rog-a-tive (5 syllables, stress on third)
Common mistake: Stressing the wrong syllable
Tip: Think “in-ter-ROG-a-tive” – the “ROG” syllable is emphasized
10. ewe
Pronunciation: “yoo” (exactly like the pronoun “you”)
Common mistake: Trying to make it sound like “ee-wee”
Tip: Despite the spelling, it sounds identical to “you”
Note: A ewe is a female sheep
11. quay
Pronunciation: “kee” (rhymes with “key” and “see”)
Common mistake: Saying “kway” or “kwey”
Tip: Ignore the unusual spelling – it sounds exactly like “key”
Note: A quay is a wharf or dock where ships load/unload
12. bury
Pronunciation: “BERRY” (rhymes with “merry” and “cherry”)
Common mistake: Pronouncing it like “bur-ee” or making it rhyme with “fury”
Tip: Think of “berry” – it sounds identical
Note: One of English’s most irregular spellings
13. hero
Pronunciation: “HEER-oh” or “HEE-roh”
Syllables: he-ro (2 syllables, stress on first)
Common mistake: Pronouncing it as one syllable too quickly
Tip: Make sure both syllables are clear
14. suggestion
Pronunciation: “suh-JES-chun”
Syllables: sug-ges-tion (3 syllables, stress on second)
Common mistake: Pronouncing the ‘gg’ as a hard ‘g’ sound
Tip: The ‘gg’ sounds like ‘j’ as in “jump”
15. exhibition
Pronunciation: “ek-si-BISH-un”
Syllables: ex-hi-bi-tion (4 syllables, stress on third)
Common mistake: Saying “ex-hi-BISH-un” with stress on second syllable
Tip: The stress falls on “BISH” – “ek-si-BISH-un”
Don’t you think you should learn some phonetic symbols to be able to read the correct pronunciation of words from the dictionary?
Practice Table: Spelling vs. Sound
| Word | How It Looks | How It Sounds | Rhymes With |
| suite | Looks like “suit” | “sweet” | greet, meet |
| lamb | Has ‘b’ at end | “lam” | ham, jam |
| bury | Has ‘u’ | “berry” | merry, cherry |
| quay | Has ‘ay’ | “kee” | key, sea |
| ewe | Looks like “ee-wee” | “yoo” | you, new |
| cough | Has ‘ough’ | “koff” | off, golf |
| wool | Has ‘oo’ | “wull” | pull, full |
Quick Memory Tips:
Words with Silent Letters:
lamb – ‘b’ is silent (like bomb, comb, thumb)
cough – ‘gh’ is silent (like tough, rough, enough)
Words That Sound Like Other Words:
suite = sweet (not suit)
ewe = you
quay = key
bury = berry
Words with Tricky Vowels:
wool – short ‘u’ sound (like pull)
onion – starts with ‘un’ sound (not ‘on’)
oven – starts with ‘uv’ sound (not ‘ov’)
Practice Sentences:
Say these aloud to practice the words in context:
The lamb’s wool is very soft.
I bought a suite of furniture for my bedroom.
Can you chop the onion without crying?
Put the potato in the oven.
The ship docked at the quay.
They will bury the treasure near the old tree.
My cough is getting worse.
“What is an adjective?” is an interrogative sentence.
The ewe gave birth to two lambs.
The art exhibition featured many paintings of heroes.
E. Creative Writing and Extended Reading
1. Continue an imaginary dialogue (started below) between Jim and Della while sitting over the dinner table on the Christmas Eve.
Ans.
Jim: Della, how could you think of this gift?
Della: Jim darling, I’ve been dreaming about it for months. Every time I passed that jewelry store window and saw that platinum chain, I knew it was meant for your watch. Your grandfather’s watch deserves something beautiful to match its elegance. I couldn’t bear the thought of you carrying such a treasure on that old leather strap anymore.
Jim: But, why did you not tell me anything about it?
Della: Because then it wouldn’t have been a surprise, silly! And honestly, I knew you’d try to stop me. You would have said your watch was fine as it was, that we couldn’t afford luxuries, that I shouldn’t sacrifice anything for you. But Jim, making you happy isn’t a sacrifice, it’s the greatest joy I know. Besides, if I’d told you, you might have worried and tried to earn extra money somehow, working even harder than you already do.
Jim: Couldn’t we do without gifts this Christmas?
Della: I suppose we could have, from a practical standpoint. We have each other, and that’s worth more than all the treasures in the world. But Jim, Christmas is about showing love, and I wanted to show mine in a tangible way. Twenty dollars a week doesn’t let me show you every day how special you are to me. This was my chance to give you something that said, “You are treasured.” But you too did not disclose your plans. Why?
Jim: For exactly the same reasons as you, my dear. I’ve watched you admire those combs in the Broadway window for months, the way your eyes would light up when we passed that store. You never said a word, never asked for anything, but I saw the longing in your face. Your beautiful hair deserved those combs, Dell. You’re always so patient with our poverty, never complaining, always making our little flat feel like a home. I wanted to give you something beautiful, something that would make you feel as precious as you are. And like you, I knew if I told you, you’d insist we save the money for practical things, new shoes, warmer clothes, fixing that leaky faucet.
Della: Should we not put them away for the next Christmas?
Jim: Perhaps we should, Dell. By next Christmas, your hair will have grown back, long and beautiful again. And I’ll have saved enough to buy another watch, maybe not a gold one like grandfather’s, but a good, reliable timepiece. Then your combs won’t be wasted, and my chain won’t be useless. But you know what? Even if we never use these gifts, they’ve already served their true purpose. They’ve proven something more valuable than any physical object.
Della: What’s that, Jim?
Jim: That we love each other enough to give up our most precious possessions. That we think of each other before ourselves. That in a world where people are selfish and greedy, we have something rare and beautiful, a love that sacrifices willingly. The rich folk in their mansions can buy each other expensive gifts without sacrifice, but they’ll never know what we know tonight. They’ll never feel what we feel, this strange mixture of loss and joy, disappointment and pride.
Della: You’re right, darling. I sold my hair, but I gained something priceless, the knowledge that I’m married to a man who would sell his family heirloom for my happiness. And these gifts, foolish as they seem now, tell a story. Someday, when we’re old and grey, we’ll take them out and remember this Christmas when we were poor in money but rich in love.
Jim: Exactly. Now, my dear, that coffee smells wonderful, and I’m starving. Let’s enjoy this Christmas dinner together. We might not have a feast, but we have each other, and that’s enough for me.
Della: For me too, Jim. For me too. Merry Christmas, my love.
Jim: Merry Christmas, Della. The merriest Christmas of all.
2. Write a short paragraph on: The Practice of Exchanging Gifts on Special Occasions
Ans.
The Practice of Exchanging Gifts on Special Occasions.
The custom of exchanging gifts on special occasions is a universal tradition that transcends cultures and religions. Gift-giving serves as a tangible expression of love, appreciation, and social connection, strengthening emotional bonds between people. It allows us to express feelings that might be difficult to articulate in words. However, in modern consumer society, this practice has become increasingly commercialized, sometimes creating financial pressure rather than joy. The most meaningful gifts are rarely the most expensive, they’re the ones chosen with genuine care and thoughtfulness. As O. Henry’s story beautifully illustrates, the greatest gifts involve sacrifice and love rather than monetary value, reminding us that true gift-giving should come from the heart.
3. Discuss with your friends, the wisdom (or otherwise) of Jim and Della in matter of the practice of exchanging gifts on the Christmas eve.
Ans.
Discussion Points: The Wisdom of Jim and Della’s Gift Exchange
Arguments Supporting Their Wisdom:
Jim and Della’s story in “A Gift for Christmas” beautifully shows that true love often demands selfless sacrifice. Despite their poverty, they gave up their most prized possessions purely to bring joy to one another, proving that love’s worth lies not in material gifts but in the heart behind them. Their intentions were genuine, and through this act, they discovered a priceless truth, that their love mattered more than beauty, status, or possessions. In this sense, they were wise, valuing connection over comfort.
However, their choices also reveal a lack of practical wisdom. Their secrecy led to ironic, useless gifts, and their spending was financially reckless for a struggling couple. What they gained emotionally, they lost materially , a balance that wiser communication and foresight might have preserved. True wisdom in relationships blends deep emotion with sound judgment.
In the end, O. Henry’s story reminds readers that love and sacrifice are the soul of giving, but they should be guided by thoughtfulness. Jim and Della’s actions, though impulsive, reflect a timeless truth: the greatest gifts come from love, not wealth. Yet for modern readers, the deeper lesson endures, to love generously, but also wisely.
Punjab Board Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Gift for Christmas Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
A.
“There was clearly nothing that Della could do except throw herself on the dirty little couch and cry. While Della is crying let us take a look at her home which is a furnished flat at $8 a week. You see signs of poverty wherever you turn your eyes.”
Q1.Why did Della throw herself on the couch and cry?
Ans. Della cried because she had saved only $1.87 for Christmas and it was not enough to buy a worthy present for Jim.
Q2. How much rent did the Youngs pay for their flat?
Ans. The Youngs paid $8 a week for their furnished flat.
Q3.What does the description of their home reveal about their living conditions?
Ans. The description reveals that they lived in extreme poverty with very modest and shabby furnishings, as signs of poverty were visible everywhere in their home.
Q4. What does the phrase “dirty little couch” tell us about their furniture?
Ans. The phrase “dirty little couch” indicates that their furniture was small, worn out, and poorly maintained because they couldn’t afford to clean or replace it, showing their financial struggle.
Q5. Why does the narrator address the reader directly by saying “let us take a look”?
Ans. The narrator uses direct address to involve the reader in the story, creating intimacy and making readers feel like they are personally witnessing Della and Jim’s poverty and their circumstances.
B.
“Suddenly Della turned away from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its colour all of a sudden. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.”
Q1. What sudden idea came to Della’s mind?
Ans. Della suddenly thought of selling her beautiful long hair to get money for Jim’s Christmas present.
Q2. Why did her face lose its colour?
Ans. Her face lost its colour because she realized she would have to sacrifice her most prized possession, her beautiful hair, which was a difficult decision.
Q3. How long was Della’s hair?
Ans. Della’s hair was very long, reaching below her knees like a cascade of brown waters.
Q4. What do the contrasting descriptions “eyes were shining brilliantly” and “face had lost its colour” reveal about Della’s emotions?
Ans. The contrast reveals Della’s mixed emotions – her eyes shone with excitement at finding a solution to buy Jim’s gift, while her pale face showed fear and sadness about sacrificing her precious hair.
Q5. Why did Della pull down her hair “rapidly”?
Ans. Della pulled down her hair rapidly because she wanted to act quickly before she lost courage or changed her mind about selling it, showing her determination despite her fear
C.
“She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores. It was a platinum watch-chain, simple but well made. It was worthy of the watch.”
Q1. What gift did Della buy for Jim?
Ans. Della bought a platinum watch-chain for Jim.
Q2. How much did Della pay for this gift?
Ans. Della paid twenty-one dollars for the watch-chain.
Q3. Why did Della think it was perfect for Jim?
Ans. Della thought it was perfect because it was simple yet well-made, and it was worthy of Jim’s precious gold watch. She felt it had been made specifically for Jim and there was no other like it.
Q4. What does the phrase “worthy of the watch” reveal about Jim’s watch?
Ans. The phrase reveals that Jim’s watch was very valuable and precious, being a gold family heirloom that had belonged to his father and grandfather, so it deserved an equally fine chain.
Q5. How long did Della search before finding this gift?
Ans. Della spent two hours searching in various stores before she found the perfect platinum watch-chain, showing her dedication to finding something truly special for Jim.
D.
“Jim’s eyes were fixed on Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was neither anger, nor surprise. He simply stared at her with a strange expression on his face.”
Q1. What was Jim’s reaction when he first saw Della?
Ans. Jim stared at Della with a strange, unreadable expression that was neither anger nor surprise, which terrified her.
Q2. Why couldn’t Della understand Jim’s expression?
Ans. Della couldn’t understand Jim’s expression because it was complex and unusual, he wasn’t angry or surprised, but stunned by the irony of the situation.
Q3.What was the real reason behind Jim’s strange expression?
Ans. Jim’s strange expression was because he had just sold his watch to buy expensive combs for Della’s beautiful hair, only to find that she had cut and sold her hair. He was realizing the tragic irony of their mutual sacrifice.
Q4. Why did Della feel “terrified” by Jim’s expression?
Ans. Della felt terrified because she couldn’t understand what Jim was thinking or feeling, and she feared he might be disappointed or angry about her cutting her beautiful hair that he loved so much.
Q5. What does the phrase “eyes were fixed on Della” suggest about Jim’s state of mind?
Ans. The phrase suggests that Jim was in shock and unable to look away, completely absorbed in processing what he was seeing, Della without her long hair, and understanding the implications for his own gift to her.
E.
“‘Don’t make any mistake, Dell,’ he said, ‘about me. Whatever happens I shall always love you just the same. Now open the package and you will understand why I behaved as I did.'”
Q1.What assurance did Jim give to Della?
Ans. Jim assured Della that he would always love her the same way, regardless of what happened or how she looked.
Q2. What did Jim want Della to do?
Ans. Jim wanted Della to open the package he had brought for her so she would understand his strange reaction.
Q3. What was inside the package that Jim gave to Della?
Ans. Inside the package was a beautiful and expensive set of combs (side and back combs) that Della had admired in a Broadway shop window.
Q4. Why did Jim call Della “Dell” instead of her full name?
Ans. Jim used the affectionate nickname “Dell” to show tenderness and reassurance, emphasizing his love for her and trying to comfort her during this emotional moment.
Q5. What does Jim mean by “you will understand why I behaved as I did”?
Ans. Jim means that once Della sees the combs he bought for her hair, she will understand why he looked so shocked and strange when he saw her short hair, his gift was now useless because she had sold the hair to wear them in.
F.
“‘Dell,’ said he, ‘let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep them awhile. They are too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now please get the dinner ready.'”
Q1. Why did Jim suggest putting away the Christmas presents?
Ans. Jim suggested putting away the presents because both gifts had become temporarily useless, Della had no long hair to wear the combs, and Jim had no watch to attach the chain to.
Q2. What sacrifice had Jim made to buy Della’s gift?
Ans. Jim had sold his most treasured possession, his gold watch that had been his father’s and grandfather’s, to buy the expensive combs for Della.
Q3. What is the irony in this situation?
Ans. The irony is that both Della and Jim sacrificed their most prized possessions to buy perfect gifts for each other, but in doing so, each made the other’s gift useless. Their selfless love rendered the gifts impractical, yet made them priceless in emotional value.
Q4. What does Jim’s phrase “too nice to use just at present” really mean?
Ans. Jim’s phrase is a gentle understatement meaning the gifts cannot be used right now—it’s his tactful way of accepting the situation without making Della feel worse about their mutual sacrifice.
Q5. Why does Jim calmly ask Della to “get the dinner ready” after revealing he sold his watch?
Ans. Jim’s calm request shows his practical nature and acceptance of the situation. He wants to move forward and return to normal life, showing that their love and daily life together matter more than the material gifts or losses.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. How much money had Della saved for Jim’s Christmas present?
A. $2.87
B. $1.87
C. $1.67
D. $2.67
Ans: B. $1.87
2. What was the weekly rent of Jim and Della’s flat?
A. $6 per week
B. $10 per week
C. $8 per week
D. $12 per week
Ans: C. $8 per week
3. What was Jim’s weekly salary?
A. $15 per week
B. $25 per week
C. $30 per week
D. $20 per week
Ans: D. $20 per week
4. What did Della see from her window that reflected her mood?
A. A grey cat on a grey fence in a grey backyard
B. A black dog on a white fence
C. Children playing happily
D. A beautiful sunset
Ans: A. A grey cat on a grey fence in a grey backyard
5. How did Della describe the gift she wanted for Jim?
A. Cheap and practical
B. Fine and rare
C. Simple and useful
D. Expensive and flashy
Ans: B. Fine and rare
6. How long was Della’s hair?
A. Shoulder length
B. Waist length
C. Below her knees
D. Floor length
Ans: C. Below her knees
7. What was Jim’s treasured possession?
A. A silver watch
B. A gold watch from his grandfather
C. A diamond ring
D. A family bible
Ans: B. A gold watch from his grandfather
8. What was the name of the hair shop owner?
A. Madame Dupont
B. Madame Sofronie
C. Madame Dubois
D. Madame Laurent
Ans: B. Madame Sofronie
9. How much did Madame Sofronie pay for Della’s hair?
A. $15
B. $25
C. $20
D. $30
Ans: C. $20
10. What gift did Della buy for Jim?
A. A gold watch
B. A platinum watch chain
C. A silver cufflinks
D. A leather wallet
Ans: B. A platinum watch chain
11. How much did the watch chain cost?
A. $20
B. $19
C. $22
D. $21
Ans: D. $21
12. After buying the gift, how much money did Della have left?
A. 67 cents
B. 87 cents
C. 97 cents
D. 77 cents
Ans: B. 87 cents
13. What did Della use to try to fix her short hair?
A. Hair extensions
B. A wig
C. Curling irons
D. Hair gel
Ans: C. Curling irons
14. What did Della think she looked like with her short, curled hair?
A. A movie star
B. A schoolboy
C. A fashion model
D. A flapper girl
Ans: B. A schoolboy
15. How old was Jim?
A. 25 years old
B. 20 years old
C. 22 years old
D. 24 years old
Ans: C. 22 years old
16. What was Jim’s reaction when he first saw Della?
A. He smiled happily
B. He stared with a strange expression
C. He laughed
D. He immediately hugged her
Ans: B. He stared with a strange expression
17. What gift had Jim bought for Della?
A. A necklace
B. A set of combs
C. A dress
D. A mirror
Ans: B. A set of combs
18. Where had Della seen the combs before?
A. In a catalog
B. In a Broadway window
C. At a friend’s house
D. In a magazine
Ans: B. In a Broadway window
19. What did Jim do to afford Della’s gift?
A. Worked overtime
B. Borrowed money
C. Sold his watch
D. Sold his coat
Ans: C. Sold his watch
20. What does Jim suggest they do with the presents at the end?
A. Return them to the stores
B. Give them to charity
C. Throw them away
D. Put them away for a while
Ans: D. Put them away for a while
21. What comparison does the narrator use to describe Della’s hair?
A. Like golden wheat
B. Like a cascade of brown waters
C. Like silk threads
D. Like a dark river
Ans: B. Like a cascade of brown waters
22. What piece of clothing did Jim need but couldn’t afford?
A. New shoes
B. A new suit
C. A new overcoat
D. A new hat
Ans: C. A new overcoat
23. What was Jim without that he needed?
A. Gloves
B. Socks
C. A scarf
D. Boots
Ans: A. Gloves
24. At what time did Jim usually come home?
A. Six o’clock
B. Eight o’clock
C. Seven o’clock
D. Five o’clock
Ans: C. Seven o’clock
25. What did Della pray for when Jim was arriving?
A. That he wouldn’t be angry
B. That God would make him think she was still pretty
C. That he would like the gift
D. That he had brought her a gift
Ans: B. That God would make him think she was still pretty
True or False
State whether the following statements are true or false
1. Della had saved more than two dollars for Jim’s present.
2. Jim and Della lived in a luxurious apartment.
3. Della’s hair reached below her knees.
4. Jim’s watch was brand new.
5. Della sold her hair for twenty-five dollars.
6. The watch chain was made of silver.
7. Della bought the watch chain for exactly twenty dollars.
8. Jim immediately understood why Della’s hair was short.
9. Della had admired the combs in a Broadway shop window.
10. Jim borrowed money to buy Della’s present.
11. Both Jim and Della sacrificed their most precious possessions.
12. The gifts could be used immediately.
13. Della cried when she first counted her money
14. Jim was angry when he saw Della’s short hair.
15. The story ends with them using their gifts happily.
Answers:
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False Explanation: Jim’s watch was a family heirloom that had belonged to his grandfather and father.
5. False
6. False
7. False
8. False
9. False
10. True
11. False
12. False
13. True
14. True
15. False
Fill in the Blanks
1. Della had saved ________ for Jim’s Christmas present.
2. Jim’s weekly salary was ________ dollars.
3. Their furnished flat cost ________ dollars per week.
4. Della’s hair looked like a cascade of ________ waters.
5. The two prized possessions were Jim’s ________ and Della’s ________.
6. Della sold her hair to ________ ________.
7. Della received ________ dollars for her hair.
8. Della bought a ________ watch chain for Jim.
9. The watch chain cost ________ dollars.
10. After her haircut, Della thought she looked like a ________.
11. Jim was ________ years old.
12. Jim needed a new ________ and was without ________.
13. Jim bought Della a set of ________.
14. Della had admired the combs in a ________ window.
15. Jim sold his ________ to buy Della’s present.
16. The story takes place on ________ Eve.
17. Della spent ________ hours searching for Jim’s present.
18. Jim arrived home at ________ o’clock.
19. Jim’s watch had belonged to his ________ and ________.
20. Jim suggested they put the presents away because they were too ________ to use just at present.
Answers
1. one dollar and eighty-seven cents / $1.87
2. twenty / $20
3. eight / $8
4. brown
5. gold watch, hair / watch, hair
6. Madame Sofronie
7. twenty / $20
8. platinum
9. twenty-one / $21
10. schoolboy
11. twenty-two / 22
12. overcoat, gloves
13. combs
14. Broadway
15. watch / gold watch
16. Christmas
17. two
18. seven
19. father, grandfather / grandfather, father
20. nice
Extra Questions
Answer the following Questions
1. Why was Della’s $1.87 insufficient for the gift she wanted to buy?
Ans: Della wanted to buy something “fine and rare” for Jim, not just any ordinary present. The platinum watch chain she found cost twenty-one dollars, far exceeding her meager savings of $1.87.
2. How does the grey imagery reflect Della’s mood?
Ans: The repetition of “grey” (grey cat, grey fence, grey backyard) creates a monotonous, depressing atmosphere that mirrors Della’s feelings of hopelessness and despair about not affording a proper gift for Jim.
3. What does “worthy of the honour of being owned by Jim” reveal about Della?
Ans: This phrase shows Della holds Jim in extraordinarily high regard, considering him so wonderful that belonging to him is an “honour” for any object, revealing her deep love and admiration.
4. Why did Della hesitate before selling her hair?
Ans: Della hesitated because her hair was her most precious possession and crowning beauty that took years to grow. She faltered with tears, understanding the magnitude of her sacrifice.
5. How does Madame Sofronie’s shop contrast with Della’s sacrifice?
Ans: The cold, businesslike transaction treats Della’s precious beauty as mere commercial “hair goods” with market value, contrasting sharply with the deep emotional significance of her sacrifice.
6. What made the platinum watch chain perfect for Jim?
Ans: The chain was simple yet elegant, beautifully crafted, and unique, “there was no other like it in any of the stores.” Della instantly knew it was made for Jim.
7. Why did Della become nervous after returning home?
Ans: After buying the gift, Della confronted the reality of her changed appearance and worried that Jim might not find her attractive anymore with short hair.
8. What does Jim’s appearance reveal about his life?
Ans: Jim looked thin, serious, and burdened beyond his twenty-two years, needing a new overcoat and gloves he couldn’t afford, revealing the constant stress of poverty.
9. Why couldn’t Jim process that Della’s hair was gone?
Ans: Jim was in shock because he had just bought beautiful combs for Della’s long hair, and discovering she’d cut it created such a devastating ironic coincidence.
10. How does Della’s reaction to the combs show her character?
Ans: Despite the combs being useless, Della holds them lovingly, smiles through tears, and reassures Jim her hair grows quickly, showing emotional maturity and selflessness.