Literature: Short Stories

Free sample questions

Literature: Short Stories — sample 英语 (English) questions with answers

1. Question 1

   In the short story 'The Gift of the Magi', what is the primary irony regarding the gifts exchanged by Jim and Della?

   • AThey both forgot to buy gifts for each other
   • BThey sold their most prized possessions to buy gifts that rendered the other's own prized possession useless
   • CThey decided to save money instead of buying gifts
   • DThey bought the exact same gift for each other by mistake

   Answer: B. They sold their most prized possessions to buy gifts that rendered the other's own prized possession useless

   The story centers on the irony that Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair.

2. Question 2

   Which literary device is best illustrated by the description of Della's hair reaching below her knee in 'The Gift of the Magi'?

   • AHyperbole
   • BAlliteration
   • COnomatopoeia
   • DUnderstatement

   Answer: A. Hyperbole

   Describing her hair as reaching below her knee is an exaggeration used to emphasize the value and beauty of her hair.

3. Question 3

   In 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, why does Mathilde Loisel feel unhappy at the beginning of the story?

   • AShe is physically ill
   • BShe longs for a life of luxury and wealth that she cannot afford
   • CShe is being bullied by her neighbors
   • DShe hates her husband's profession

   Answer: B. She longs for a life of luxury and wealth that she cannot afford

   Mathilde feels she was born for all the delicacies and luxuries of life and suffers because of her social status.

4. Question 4

   What is the main conflict in 'The Necklace'?

   • AMan vs. Nature
   • BMan vs. Self
   • CMan vs. Technology
   • DMan vs. Man

   Answer: B. Man vs. Self

   The primary struggle is Mathilde's internal dissatisfaction and the choices she makes due to her vanity.

5. Question 5

   What is the significance of the ending of 'The Necklace'?

   • AThe necklace was actually made of gold
   • BThe necklace was a fake worth very little
   • CMathilde becomes rich again
   • DHer husband leaves her

   Answer: B. The necklace was a fake worth very little

   The irony of the ending is that the sacrifice of ten years of hard labor to pay for the replacement was unnecessary because the original was a worthless imitation.