Bihar Board class 9 English Prose chapter 9 solutions are available here! This is our free guide to solve all the problems asked in this chapter. It also helps you to clear your doubts with chapter 9 – “The Gift of The Magi”.
Chapter 9 of the Bihar Board Class 9 English book, “The Gift of the Magi,” is a beloved short story by the American writer O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter. This heartwarming tale focuses on a young married couple, Della and Jim, who make sacrifices to buy each other Christmas gifts.
Bihar Board Class 9 English Prose Chapter 9 Solutions
| Subject | English |
| Class | 9th |
| Chapter | 9. The Gift of The Magi |
| Author | |
| Board | Bihar Board |
A. Form small groups and discuss the following
Question 1: The importance of gifts on great occasions.
Answer: Gifts on special occasions are symbols of love and affection. They create lasting memories and strengthen relationships between people. Receiving a thoughtful gift can make someone feel valued and appreciated, adding joy to important moments in life.
Question 2: Importance of Christmas, Eid, Diwali and New Year presents.
Answer: Presents during festivals like Christmas, Eid, Diwali, and New Year are important because they reflect the spirit of celebration and sharing. These gifts help bring people together, promote cultural understanding, and create a sense of unity and goodwill among different communities. They also add to the festive atmosphere and make the celebrations more meaningful.
B.1.1. Fill in the blanks
Complete the following sentences on the basis of the unit you have studied:
- Della counted her money three times.
- Expenses had been greater than Della had calculated.
- The two precious possessions that Jim and Della had were Jim’s gold watch and Della’s golden hair .
- The Queen of Sheba might have been envious of Della’s beautiful hair .
- “Will you buy my hair?” said Della .
- Della bought a platinum fob chain for Jim’s watch for her husband.
B.1. 2. Answer the following questions very briefly
Question 1. Who are Jim and Della?
Answer: Jim and Della are a loving married couple who are the main characters in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.”
Question 2. Who is the mistress of the home?
Answer: Della is the mistress of the home, managing their household with care and devotion.
Question 3. What is the possession of Della in she took pride?
Answer: Della took great pride in her long, beautiful golden hair, which was her most treasured possession.
Question 4. What was the precious possession of Jim?
Answer: Jim’s most precious possession was a gold watch inherited from his father and grandfather.
Question 5. Why did Della sale her hair?
Answer: Della sold her hair to earn money for buying a special Christmas gift for her husband Jim.
Question 6. What was worthy of the watch?
Answer: The platinum fob chain that Della bought was considered worthy of Jim’s precious gold watch.
Question 7. Why did Della buy a platinum fob chain?
Answer: Della bought the platinum fob chain as a perfect Christmas gift to complement Jim’s prized gold watch.
B.2.1. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements
- Jim will say that Della looks like a Coney Island chorus girl. T
- Della had a habit of saying noisy prayers. F
- Jim scolded Della for selling her hair. F
- Jim bought a set of combs for Della. T
- The Magi presented a gift to infant Christ. T
B.2.2. Answer the following questions briefly
Question 1. Why does Della say, “Please God, make him think I am still pretty”?
Answer: Della says this because she’s worried Jim won’t find her attractive after cutting her hair. She hopes God will help Jim see her inner beauty despite the change in her appearance.
Question 2. “He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face”. Why did Jim stare at her fixedly?
Answer: Jim stared fixedly at Della because he was shocked to see her without her long hair. He had bought expensive combs for her hair, which was now gone, leaving him bewildered.
Question 3. “Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered but nobody could ever count my love for you.” Why did Della say so?
Answer: Della said this to reassure Jim that her love for him was immeasurable and far more important than her hair. She wanted to emphasize that her feelings remained unchanged despite her altered appearance.
Question 4. Why did Jim say about their gifts that “they’re too nice to use at present?”
Answer: Jim said their gifts were too nice to use because both had sold their most prized possessions to buy them. The watch chain was useless without the watch, and the combs couldn’t be used on Della’s short hair.
Question 5. Who is Magi? Why are Jim and Della called the Magi?
Answer: The Magi were wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Jim and Della are called the Magi because they wisely sacrificed their most valuable possessions to show their selfless love for each other.
C. 1. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What is the significance of the title “The Gift of the Magi”?
Answer: The title “The Gift of the Magi” refers to the biblical story of the wise men (Magi) who brought gifts to baby Jesus. It symbolizes the wisdom of giving selflessly out of love. In the story, Jim and Della’s sacrifices for each other mirror this selfless giving. The title emphasizes that the true value of a gift lies in the love and sacrifice behind it, not its material worth.
Question 2. How can you say that Jim and Della loved each other very much?
Answer: Jim and Della’s love is evident in their willingness to sacrifice their most prized possessions for each other. Despite their poverty, they each secretly sell their treasure to buy a gift for the other. Della sells her beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. Their actions demonstrate that they value each other more than any material possession.
Question 3. Describe the family status as well as the family life of Jim and Della.
Answer: Jim and Della were a young couple living in modest circumstances. Their weekly income was only $20, which barely covered their basic needs. They lived frugally, with Della trying to save money by haggling with shopkeepers. Despite their financial struggles, they maintained a loving relationship, showing that their emotional bond was stronger than their material hardships.
Question 4. Who invented the art of giving Christmas gifts and why are Jim and Della called the Magi?
Answer: The Magi were wise men who started the tradition of giving Christmas gifts by bringing presents to baby Jesus. Jim and Della are called the Magi because they show similar wisdom in their gift-giving. They selflessly sacrifice their most valued possessions to buy gifts for each other, demonstrating that true love values the act of giving over material possessions. Their actions reflect the spirit of the original Magi’s gifts.
Question 5. The essence of love is sacrifice. Justify this statement with reference to ‘The Gift of the Magi; Jim and Della were right in their decision.
Answer: The story “The Gift of the Magi” beautifully illustrates that the essence of love is sacrifice. Jim and Della each give up their most cherished possession to buy a gift for the other, showing that they value their partner’s happiness above their own. Their selfless acts demonstrate that true love is about putting the other person first. While their gifts end up being unusable, the love and sacrifice behind them are what truly matter.
Question 6. Do you think that to sell their possessions for Christmas gifts was wise? Give your own opinion.
Answer: Selling their possessions for Christmas gifts was wise in terms of demonstrating their love and commitment to each other. It shows that Jim and Della value their relationship more than material things. However, from a practical standpoint, it might not have been the most prudent decision. The story teaches us that while material gifts are nice, the true gift is the love and sacrifice behind them.
