The Gift of the Magi (abridged): Reading Comprehension for Class 7 

Jim and Della were a young couple living in a small apartment. They were poor but deeply in love. As Christmas approached, Della wished to buy Jim a special gift. She looked at her long, beautiful hair in the mirror and thought for a long time. Finally, she decided to sell it to a wig-maker to earn some money. With the few rupees she received, Della bought a silver chain for Jim’s old pocket watch, his most precious possession. That evening, Jim came home and stared in surprise at her short hair. Then he smiled gently and handed her a small box. Inside was a pair of elegant hair combs she had once admired in a shop window. Della laughed and cried at the same time, realising that Jim had sold his watch to buy her the combs. Both gifts were now useless, yet their love shone brighter than ever. They hugged, understanding that true giving means sacrifice. The narrator compares them to the Magi, the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus, saying that of all who give and receive, these two were the wisest. 

Why Reading Comprehension Matters in Grammar? 

Reading comprehension connects language skills to meaningful life lessons. For Class 7 learners, this worksheet is important because: 
1. It builds vocabulary related to love, sacrifice, and selflessness. 
2. It enhances understanding of the themes of giving, sacrifice, and the value of emotional connections over material possessions. 
3. It encourages students to think critically about the true meaning of giving and love. 
4. It promotes empathy and self-reflection by analyzing the characters’ actions. 

What’s Inside This Worksheet? 

This worksheet includes a variety of exercises to test comprehension, reflection, and analysis: 
🧠 Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice Questions 
Students answer questions about the gifts Della and Jim gave each other, the sacrifices they made, and the lesson they learned. 

✏️ Exercise 2 – Short Answer Questions 
Learners describe why Della sold her hair, how Jim reacted to her short hair, and what lesson they both learned. 

📋 Exercise 3 – Deep Thinking Questions 
Students explore the theme of love and sacrifice, why the gifts were now useless, and how the story’s ending conveys a deeper message. 

✅ Answer Key (For Parents & Educators) 

Exercise 1 – Choose the Correct Option 
1. What did Della sell to buy Jim’s gift? 
- b. Her long hair. 

2. What gift did Della buy for Jim? 
- c. A silver chain. 

3. What did Jim give Della in return? 
- a. Hair combs. 

Exercise 2 – Short Answers 
1. She wanted to express love through giving.
2. He was surprised but touched by her effort.
3. Their love made their gifts meaningful.

Exercise 3 – Extended Thinking 
1. Love is richer than material things.
2. It shows how giving brings emotional wealth.
3. True care means giving selflessly.
4. “precious” – valuable or dear.

This worksheet encourages children to reflect on the meaning of selfless love and the value of emotional bonds over material possessions. 

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