JMJ
Vocabulary and Questions for The Gift of the Magi
Reading ____ Hour
“The Gift of the Magi”
C. Key Vocabulary Define and find the sentence used in the story
1. Imputation –
2. Parsimony –
3. Scrutiny –
4. Inconsequential –
Discussion Questions for “The Gift of the Magi”
1. How much money does Della have to spend for Christmas?
2. How did she manage to save even this little amount?
3. Explain why the “Dillingham” on the mailbox seems inappropriate now.
4. What are Della and Jim’s most prized possessions?
Name _______
Date _______
JMJ
Vocabulary and Questions for “The Necklace”
Reading ____ Hour
Name _____________
Date ______________
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
C. Key Vocabulary Define the Word and write down the sentence from the story
1. Incessant –
2. Chagrin –
3. Homage –
4. Vestibule –
5. Odious -
Discussion Questions for “The Necklace”
1. What type of lifestyle do the Loisel’s have?
2. What type of lifestyle does Mdm. Loisel desire?
3. Why is Mdm. Loisel upset by the invitation to the fancy party?
4. What do we learn about the moral character of the husband when he gives his wife the
400 francs that he has saved to buy himself a gun?
5. After she buys a dress, Mdm. Loisel is still unhappy. Why?
6. Explain the transformation of the Loisels during the ten years it takes them to pay back
the debt.
7. Do you feel sorry for Mdm. Loisel at the end of story? Why or why not?
8. Do you feel sorry for Mr. Loisel? Why or why not?
JMJ Vocabulary and Questions for “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Name ______
Reading ____ Hour
Date ________
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
C. Key Vocabulary—define the word and write down the sentence as it was used in the story.
1. Pandemonium –
2. Disdain –
3. Inscrutable –
.
Discussion Questions for “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
1. What is Walter Mitty saying about life when he imagines himself in front of a firing
squad?
2. What type of marriage does Walter Mitty have?
JMJ Vocabulary and Questions for “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Reading ____ Hour
Name ____________
Date _____________
“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe
C. Key Vocabulary—define the word and write the sentence the word was used in from the
story.
1. Dissimulation –
2. Cunning –
3. Sagacity –
4. Hearkening –
5. Scantlings –
Discussion Questions for “The Tell-Tale Heart”
1. What question does the speaker ask his audience?
2. What physical feature does the narrator dislike about the old man?
3. Explain how the speaker behaves towards the old man every morning.
4. How does the narrator feel when he realizes that he can scare the old man?
5. What simile does the speaker use to describe the effect that the beating heart had upon
him?
6. Where does the narrator hide the body of the old man?
7. What does the narrator hear when he is explaining the events to the police?
8. Do you think that the narrator is sane or insane at the end of the story? Explain your
answer.
9. Would you have brought the police into the room with the body? Why or why not?
10. Explain the title of the story.