Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
March 5, 2024

Erchelle S. Bondoc
Teacher I, San Juan Baño High School
Arayat, Pampanga

Dear Ma’am Bondoc,

Greetings!

We, the Grade 12 students of San Juan Baño High School, are currently conducting a study
entitled, “Reading Between the Lines: The Effectiveness of Vocabulary Flashcards as a
Tool for Improving Grade 7 Students’ Reading Comprehension in English Subject”.
The study aims to gather bases for the study’s output which is to investigate the
effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving students reading comprehension, in
particular by describing and comparing control and experimental groups' reading
comprehension in terms of pre-test and post-test scores, determining whether there were
significant differences between these scores, and assessing the overall effectiveness of
vocabulary flashcards in improving reading comprehension of grade 7 students. The
ultimate goal of this study is to test whether the vocabulary flashcards can enhance
students’ comprehension in the English subject.

With your expertise in the field relevant to the study, the undersigned respectfully requests
you to spare a few of your time in the content validation of the interview guide questions
that the researchers will utilize with their data gathering procedure. Surely, through your
guidance, it will significantly help collect the data necessary to complete this study. Please
be assured that any information or data gathered will be treated with utmost diligence and
confidentiality.

Your positive response is highly appreciated. Thank you.

Yours truly,
Group 1 – 12-HUMSS

Sunshine Marie M. Barquez Mark Dhave C. Castillo Rizza P. Mallari

Jaschielle R. Mesina Aira H. Licu Hilario S. Miranda Lester S. Valerio

Noted by: Approved by:

Samantha Isabel V. Alarcon. Erchelle Bondoc

Research Adviser Validator
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Statement of the Problem

1. How may the reading comprehension of the control and experimental group be described

in terms of:

1.1 Pre-assessment

1.2 Post Assessment?

2. Is there a significant difference between the pre-assessment and post assessment scores?

3. How may the effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving reading

comprehension be described in terms of:

3.1 reading fluency

3.2 sentence construction and cohesion

3.3 decoding
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

by O. Henry

That was all. She had put it aside, one cent and then another and then another, in her careful
buying of meat and other food. Della counted it three times. One dollar and eighty-seven
cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was nothing to do but fall on the bed and cry. So Della did it.

While the lady of the home is slowly growing quieter, we can look at the home. Furnished
rooms at a cost of $8 a week. There is lit- tle more to say about it.

In the hall below was a letter-box too small to hold a letter. There was an electric bell, but it
could not make a sound. Also there was a name beside the door: “Mr. James Dillingham
Young.”

When the name was placed there, Mr. James Dillingham Young was being paid $30 a
week. Now, when he was being paid only $20 a week, the name seemed too long and
important. It should perhaps have been “Mr. James D. Young.” But when Mr. James
Dillingham Young entered the furnished rooms, his name became very short indeed. Mrs.
James Dillingham Young put her arms warmly about him and called him “Jim.” You have
already met her. She is Della.

Della finished her crying and cleaned the marks of it from her face. She stood by the
window and looked out with no interest. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had
only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a gift. She had put aside as much as she could for
months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week is not much. Everything had cost more than
she had expected. It always happened like that.

Only $ 1.87 to buy a gift for Jim. Her Jim. She had had many happy hours planning
something nice for him. Something nearly good enough. Something almost worth the honor
of belonging to Jim.

There was a looking-glass between the windows of the room. Per- haps you have seen the
kind of looking-glass that is placed in $8 fur- nished rooms. It was very narrow. A person
could see only a little of himself at a time. However, if he was very thin and moved very
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
quickly, he might be able to get a good view of himself. Della, being quite thin, had
mastered this art.

Suddenly she turned from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining
brightly, but her face had lost its color. Quickly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its
complete length.

The James Dillingham Youngs were very proud of two things which they owned. One thing
was Jim’s gold watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long ago, it had belonged to
his father’s father. The other thing was Della’s hair.

If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della would have washed and dried her hair
where the queen could see it. Della knew her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s
jewels and gifts.

If a king had lived in the same house, with all his riches, Jim would have looked at his
watch every time they met. Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable.

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her, shining like a falling stream of brown water. It
reached below her knee. It almost made itself into a dress for her.

And then she put it up on her head again, nervously and quickly. Once she stopped for a
moment and stood still while a tear or two ran down her face.

She put on her old brown coat. She put on her old brown hat. With the bright light still in
her eyes, she moved quickly out the door and down to the street.

Where she stopped, the sign said: “Mrs. Sofronie. Hair Articles of all Kinds.”

Up to the second floor Della ran, and stopped to get her breath. Mrs. Sofronie, large, too
white, cold-eyed, looked at her.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair,” said Mrs. Sofronie. “Take your hat off and let me look at it.”

Down fell the brown waterfall.

“Twenty dollars,” said Mrs. Sofronie, lifting the hair to feel its weight.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
Oh, and the next two hours seemed to fly. She was going from one shop to another, to find
a gift for Jim.

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 shops, and she had looked in every shop in the city.

It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value was in its rich and pure material.
Because it was so plain and simple, you knew that it was very valuable. All good things are
like this.

It was good enough for The Watch.

As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. It was like him. Quietness and value
—Jim and the chain both had quietness and value. She paid twenty-one dollars for it. And
she hurried home with the chain and eighty-seven cents.

With that chain on his watch, Jim could look at his watch and learn the time anywhere he
might be. Though the watch was so fine, it had never had a fine chain. He sometimes took it
out and looked at it only when no one could see him do it.

When Della arrived home, her mind quieted a little. She began to think more reasonably.
She started to try to cover the sad marks of what she had done. Love and large-hearted
giving, when added together, can leave deep marks. It is never easy to cover these marks,
dear friends— never easy.

Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. With her short hair, she looked
wonderfully like a schoolboy. She stood at the looking-glass for a long time.

“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he looks at me a second time, he’ll say
I look like a girl who sings and dances for money. But what could I do—oh! What could I
do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?”

At seven, Jim’s dinner was ready for him.

Jim was never late. Della held the watch chain in her hand and sat near the door where he
always entered. Then she heard his step in the hall and her face lost color for a moment.

She often said little prayers quietly, about simple everyday things. And now she said:
“Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.”
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
The door opened and Jim stepped in. He looked very thin and he was not smiling. Poor
fellow, he was only twenty-two—and with a fam- ily to take care of! He needed a new coat
and he had nothing to cover his cold hands.

Jim stopped inside the door. He was as quiet as a hunting dog when it is near a bird. His
eyes looked strangely at Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not
understand. It filled her with fear. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor anything she had been
ready for. He simply looked at her with that strange expression on his face.

Della went to him.

“Jim, dear,” she cried, “don’t look at me like that. I had my hair cut off and sold it. I
couldn’t live through Christmas without giving you a

gift. My hair will grow again. You won’t care, will you? My hair grows very fast. It’s
Christmas, Jim. Let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice—what a beautiful nice gift I
got for you.”

“You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim slowly. He seemed to labor to understand what had
happened. He seemed not to feel sure he knew.

“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me now? I’m me, Jim. I’m the same
without my hair.”

Jim looked around the room.

“You say your hair is gone?” he said.

“You don’t have to look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you— sold and gone, too. It’s
the night before Christmas, boy. Be good to me, because I sold it for you. Maybe the hairs
of my head could be counted,” she said, “but no one could ever count my love for you.
Shall we eat dinner, Jim?”

Jim put his arms around his Della. For ten seconds let us look in another direction. Eight
dollars a week or a million dollars a year— how different are they? Someone may give you
an answer, but it will be wrong. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among
them. My meaning will be explained soon.

From inside the coat, Jim took something tied in paper. He threw it upon the table.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
“I want you to understand me, Dell,” he said. “Nothing like a haircut could make me love
you any less. But if you’ll open that, you may know what I felt when I came in.”

White fingers pulled off the paper. And then a cry of joy; and then a change to tears.

For there lay The Combs—the combs that Della had seen in a shop window and loved for a
long time. Beautiful combs, with jewels, perfect for her beautiful hair. She had known they
cost too much for her to buy them. She had looked at them without the least hope of
owning them. And now they were hers, but her hair was gone.

But she held them to her heart, and at last was able to look up and say: “My hair grows so
fast, Jim!”

And then she jumped up and cried, “Oh, oh!”

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful gift. She held it out to him in her open hand. The gold
seemed to shine softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit.

“Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at your watch a
hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they look together.”

Jim sat down and smiled.

“Della,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too
nice to use now. I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And now I think we
should have our dinner.”

The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the
newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts
were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not
wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But
let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the
most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere
they are the wise ones. They are the magi.
Taken from the grade 7 MATATAG Curriculum Exemplar.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Pre-Assessment
Name: ________________________________ Yr. & Sec.: ____________ Score______
Instruction: Read the passage carefully and encircle the correct answer for each question.
Select the best answer that fits the context, and answer based on the information provided
in the passage. Do not leave any questions blank or make assumptions based on external
knowledge.
Part I. VOCABULARY TEST
1. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
2. What is the meaning of the word "waterfall" as used to describe Della's hair?
A. A small stream C. A colorful arrangement
B. A long, flowing cascade D. A messy tangle
3. What does the word "labor" mean in the context of Jim's understanding of
Della's haircut?
A. To work hard C. To struggle to comprehend
B. To give birth D. To relax
4. What is the meaning of the word "magi"?
A. Wise men B. Gift-givers C. Poor people D. Rich people
5. What does the word "valuable" mean in the context of the story?
A. Expensive C. Beautiful
B. Important D. All of the above
6. What is the meaning of the word "combs" as used in the story?
A. Hairbrushes C. Hair accessories with jewels
B. Hair ornaments D. Hair clips
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
7. What does the word "newborn" mean in the context of the story?
A. Recently born C. Infant
B. Young D. All of the above
8. What is the meaning of the word "wise" as used to describe the magi?
A. Intelligent C. Generous
B. Experienced D. All of the above
9. What does the word "strangely" mean in the context of Jim's expression?
A. Happily B. Sadly C. Unusually D. Angily
10. What is the meaning of the word "necessities" as used in the story?
A. Luxuries B. Basic needs C. Desires D. Wants
Part II. READING COMPREHENSION TEST
1. What is the author's purpose in describing the setting of the story in detail?
A. To create a sense of atmosphere and mood
B. To provide background information
C. To emphasize the characters' emotions
D. To create a sense of tension
2. How does the author use descriptive language to characterize Della's hair?
A. By comparing it to a waterfall C. By mentioning its texture and style
B. By describing its color and length D. By stating its monetary value
3. What is the author's tone in describing Jim's reaction to Della's haircut?
A. Sarcastic B. Humorous C. Sentimental D. Critical
4. How does the author use transitional phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
C. To create cohesion and connect ideas
D. To emphasize the characters' emotions
5. What is the purpose of using repetition in the story?
A. To create a sense of tension
B. To emphasize the characters' emotions
C. To create cohesion and emphasize certain ideas
D. To provide background information
6. How does the author use pronouns to refer back to previous ideas?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
C. To create cohesion and refer back to previous ideas
D. To emphasize the characters' emotions
7. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
8. What does the phrase "the magi" refer to in the story?
A. The Three Wise Men C. The setting of the story
B. The characters in the story D. The theme of the story
9. What does the word "large-hearted" mean in the context of the story?
A. Selfish B. Generous C. Cruel D. Indifferent
10. What does the word "careful" mean in the context of the sentence, "She had put it aside,
one cent and then another and then another, in her economical buying of meat and other
food"?
A. Thoughtless B. Thrifty C. Impulsive D. Wasteful
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Additional Suggestions:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Expert Validation Credentials & Experience

Erchelle Sunga Bondoc is a dedicated educator currently serving as a Teacher I at San

Juan Baño High School. With a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education focused on
English, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her classroom. Beyond
teaching, Ms. Bondoc is recognized for her proficiency as a research grammarian,
which she applies to enhance her students' learning experience. During her college
years, she excelled academically, earning recognition as a Dean's Lister for her
outstanding achievements. Prior to her current role, she contributed her skills as a PR
1 Teacher in MCESI, demonstrating her commitment to education and professional
development.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

March 5, 2024

Jeriel S. Paguio
Teacher I, San Juan Baño High School
Arayat, Pampanga

Dear Sir Paguio,

Greetings!

We, the Grade 12 students of San Juan Baño High School, are currently conducting a study
entitled, “Reading Between the Lines: The Effectiveness of Vocabulary Flashcards as a
Tool for Improving Grade 7 Students’ Reading Comprehension in English Subject”.
The study aims to gather bases for the study’s output which is to investigate the
effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving students reading comprehension, in
particular by describing and comparing control and experimental groups' reading
comprehension in terms of pre-test and post-test scores, determining whether there were
significant differences between these scores, and assessing the overall effectiveness of
vocabulary flashcards in improving reading comprehension of grade 7 students. The
ultimate goal of this study is to test whether the vocabulary flashcards can enhance
students’ comprehension in the English subject.

With your expertise in the field relevant to the study, the undersigned respectfully requests
you to spare a few of your time in the content validation of the interview guide questions
that the researchers will utilize with their data gathering procedure. Surely, through your
guidance, it will significantly help collect the data necessary to complete this study. Please
be assured that any information or data gathered will be treated with utmost diligence and
confidentiality.

Your positive response is highly appreciated. Thank you.

Yours truly,
Group 1 – 12-HUMSS

Sunshine Marie M. Barquez Mark Dhave C. Castillo Rizza P. Mallari

Jaschielle R. Mesina Aira H. Licu Hilario S. Miranda Lester S. Valerio

Noted by: Approved by:

Samantha Isabel V. Alarcon. Jeriel S. Paguio

Research Adviser Validator
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Statement of the Problem

1. How may the reading comprehension of the control and experimental group be described

in terms of:

1.1 Pre-assessment

1.2 Post Assessment?

2. Is there a significant difference between the pre-assessment and post assessment scores?

3. How may the effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving reading

comprehension be described in terms of:

3.1 reading fluency

3.2 sentence construction and cohesion

3.3 decoding
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

by O. Henry

That was all. She had put it aside, one cent and then another and then another, in her careful
buying of meat and other food. Della counted it three times. One dollar and eighty-seven
cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was nothing to do but fall on the bed and cry. So Della did it.

While the lady of the home is slowly growing quieter, we can look at the home. Furnished
rooms at a cost of $8 a week. There is lit- tle more to say about it.

In the hall below was a letter-box too small to hold a letter. There was an electric bell, but it
could not make a sound. Also there was a name beside the door: “Mr. James Dillingham
Young.”

When the name was placed there, Mr. James Dillingham Young was being paid $30 a
week. Now, when he was being paid only $20 a week, the name seemed too long and
important. It should perhaps have been “Mr. James D. Young.” But when Mr. James
Dillingham Young entered the furnished rooms, his name became very short indeed. Mrs.
James Dillingham Young put her arms warmly about him and called him “Jim.” You have
already met her. She is Della.

Della finished her crying and cleaned the marks of it from her face. She stood by the
window and looked out with no interest. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had
only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a gift. She had put aside as much as she could for
months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week is not much. Everything had cost more than
she had expected. It always happened like that.

Only $ 1.87 to buy a gift for Jim. Her Jim. She had had many happy hours planning
something nice for him. Something nearly good enough. Something almost worth the honor
of belonging to Jim.

There was a looking-glass between the windows of the room. Per- haps you have seen the
kind of looking-glass that is placed in $8 fur- nished rooms. It was very narrow. A person
could see only a little of himself at a time. However, if he was very thin and moved very

quickly, he might be able to get a good view of himself. Della, being quite thin, had
mastered this art.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Suddenly she turned from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining
brightly, but her face had lost its color. Quickly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its
complete length.

The James Dillingham Youngs were very proud of two things which they owned. One thing
was Jim’s gold watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long ago, it had belonged to
his father’s father. The other thing was Della’s hair.

If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della would have washed and dried her hair
where the queen could see it. Della knew her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s
jewels and gifts.

If a king had lived in the same house, with all his riches, Jim would have looked at his
watch every time they met. Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable.

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her, shining like a falling stream of brown water. It
reached below her knee. It almost made itself into a dress for her.

And then she put it up on her head again, nervously and quickly. Once she stopped for a
moment and stood still while a tear or two ran down her face.

She put on her old brown coat. She put on her old brown hat. With the bright light still in
her eyes, she moved quickly out the door and down to the street.

Where she stopped, the sign said: “Mrs. Sofronie. Hair Articles of all Kinds.”

Up to the second floor Della ran, and stopped to get her breath. Mrs. Sofronie, large, too
white, cold-eyed, looked at her.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair,” said Mrs. Sofronie. “Take your hat off and let me look at it.”

Down fell the brown waterfall.

“Twenty dollars,” said Mrs. Sofronie, lifting the hair to feel its weight.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Oh, and the next two hours seemed to fly. She was going from one shop to another, to find
a gift for Jim.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
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 shops, and she had looked in every shop in the city.

It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value was in its rich and pure material.
Because it was so plain and simple, you knew that it was very valuable. All good things are
like this.

It was good enough for The Watch.

As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. It was like him. Quietness and value
—Jim and the chain both had quietness and value. She paid twenty-one dollars for it. And
she hurried home with the chain and eighty-seven cents.

With that chain on his watch, Jim could look at his watch and learn the time anywhere he
might be. Though the watch was so fine, it had never had a fine chain. He sometimes took it
out and looked at it only when no one could see him do it.

When Della arrived home, her mind quieted a little. She began to think more reasonably.
She started to try to cover the sad marks of what she had done. Love and large-hearted
giving, when added together, can leave deep marks. It is never easy to cover these marks,
dear friends— never easy.

Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. With her short hair, she looked
wonderfully like a schoolboy. She stood at the looking-glass for a long time.

“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he looks at me a second time, he’ll say
I look like a girl who sings and dances for money. But what could I do—oh! What could I
do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?”

At seven, Jim’s dinner was ready for him.

Jim was never late. Della held the watch chain in her hand and sat near the door where he
always entered. Then she heard his step in the hall and her face lost color for a moment.

She often said little prayers quietly, about simple everyday things. And now she said:
“Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.”

The door opened and Jim stepped in. He looked very thin and he was not smiling. Poor
fellow, he was only twenty-two—and with a fam- ily to take care of! He needed a new coat
and he had nothing to cover his cold hands.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Jim stopped inside the door. He was as quiet as a hunting dog when it is near a bird. His
eyes looked strangely at Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not
understand. It filled her with fear. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor anything she had been
ready for. He simply looked at her with that strange expression on his face.

Della went to him.

“Jim, dear,” she cried, “don’t look at me like that. I had my hair cut off and sold it. I
couldn’t live through Christmas without giving you a

gift. My hair will grow again. You won’t care, will you? My hair grows very fast. It’s
Christmas, Jim. Let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice—what a beautiful nice gift I
got for you.”

“You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim slowly. He seemed to labor to understand what had
happened. He seemed not to feel sure he knew.

“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me now? I’m me, Jim. I’m the same
without my hair.”

Jim looked around the room.

“You say your hair is gone?” he said.

“You don’t have to look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you— sold and gone, too. It’s
the night before Christmas, boy. Be good to me, because I sold it for you. Maybe the hairs
of my head could be counted,” she said, “but no one could ever count my love for you.
Shall we eat dinner, Jim?”

Jim put his arms around his Della. For ten seconds let us look in another direction. Eight
dollars a week or a million dollars a year— how different are they? Someone may give you
an answer, but it will be wrong. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among
them. My meaning will be explained soon.

From inside the coat, Jim took something tied in paper. He threw it upon the table.

“I want you to understand me, Dell,” he said. “Nothing like a haircut could make me love
you any less. But if you’ll open that, you may know what I felt when I came in.”

White fingers pulled off the paper. And then a cry of joy; and then a change to tears.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
For there lay The Combs—the combs that Della had seen in a shop window and loved for a
long time. Beautiful combs, with jewels, perfect for her beautiful hair. She had known they
cost too much for her to buy them. She had looked at them without the least hope of
owning them. And now they were hers, but her hair was gone.

But she held them to her heart, and at last was able to look up and say: “My hair grows so
fast, Jim!”

And then she jumped up and cried, “Oh, oh!”

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful gift. She held it out to him in her open hand. The gold
seemed to shine softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit.

“Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at your watch a
hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they look together.”

Jim sat down and smiled.

“Della,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too
nice to use now. I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And now I think we
should have our dinner.”

The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the
newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts
were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not
wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But
let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the
most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere
they are the wise ones. They are the magi.
Taken from the grade 7 MATATAG Curriculum Exemplar.

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Pre-Assessment

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Name: ________________________________ Yr. & Sec.: ____________ Score______

Instruction: Read the passage carefully and encircle the correct answer for each question.
Select the best answer that fits the context, and answer based on the information provided
in the passage. Do not leave any questions blank or make assumptions based on external
knowledge.
Part I. VOCABULARY TEST
1. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
2. What is the meaning of the word "waterfall" as used to describe Della's hair?
A. A small stream C. A colorful arrangement
B. A long, flowing cascade D. A messy tangle
3. What does the word "labor" mean in the context of Jim's understanding of
Della's haircut?
A. To work hard C. To struggle to comprehend
B. To give birth D. To relax
4. What is the meaning of the word "magi"?
A. Wise men B. Gift-givers C. Poor people D. Rich people
5. What does the word "valuable" mean in the context of the story?
A. Expensive C. Beautiful
B. Important D. All of the above
6. What is the meaning of the word "combs" as used in the story?
A. Hairbrushes C. Hair accessories with jewels
B. Hair ornaments D. Hair clips

7. What does the word "newborn" mean in the context of the story?
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
A. Recently born C. Infant
B. Young D. All of the above
8. What is the meaning of the word "wise" as used to describe the magi?
A. Intelligent C. Generous
B. Experienced D. All of the above
9. What does the word "strangely" mean in the context of Jim's expression?
A. Happily B. Sadly C. Unusually D. Angily
10. What is the meaning of the word "necessities" as used in the story?
A. Luxuries B. Basic needs C. Desires D. Wants

Part II. READING COMPREHENSION TEST

1. What is the author's purpose in describing the setting of the story in detail?
A. To create a sense of atmosphere and mood
B. To provide background information
C. To emphasize the characters' emotions
D. To create a sense of tension
2. How does the author use descriptive language to characterize Della's hair?
A. By comparing it to a waterfall C. By mentioning its texture and style
B. By describing its color and length D. By stating its monetary value
3. What is the author's tone in describing Jim's reaction to Della's haircut?
A. Sarcastic B. Humorous C. Sentimental D. Critical
4. How does the author use transitional phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
C. To create cohesion and connect ideas
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

D. To emphasize the characters' emotions

5. What is the purpose of using repetition in the story?
A. To create a sense of tension
B. To emphasize the characters' emotions
C. To create cohesion and emphasize certain ideas
D. To provide background information
6. How does the author use pronouns to refer back to previous ideas?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
C. To create cohesion and refer back to previous ideas
D. To emphasize the characters' emotions
7. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
8. What does the phrase "the magi" refer to in the story?
A. The Three Wise Men C. The setting of the story
B. The characters in the story D. The theme of the story
9. What does the word "large-hearted" mean in the context of the story?
A. Selfish B. Generous C. Cruel D. Indifferent
10. What does the word "careful" mean in the context of the sentence, "She had put it aside,
one cent and then another and then another, in her economical buying of meat and other
food"?
A. Thoughtless B. Thrifty C. Impulsive D. Wasteful
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
Additional Suggestions:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Expert Validation Credentials & Experience

Jeriel S. Paguio is a 26-year-old licensed professional English teacher. He passed the

Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers on his first attempt. He is a graduate of
Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in English at Saint Mary's Angels College of
Pampanga. He was a private school teacher for three years and currently a Senior High
School teacher handling subjects such as Practical Research I teacher at San Juan Baño
High School. In his years of teaching career, he attended various trainings and seminars
related to the teaching profession, including the consecutive two-year In-service Training
(INSET) organized by the Private Education Assistance Committee in the years 2021 and
2022, in partnership with the Department of Education. He continued imparting his
expertise to the student-researchers as he validated research studies and survey
questionnaires; he also became one of the panelists of the proposal for the action research
of STEM students in his previous school. With his skills, he serves as a language critic for
research papers conducted by student-researchers.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

March 5, 2024

Laiza Grace Aguas

Teacher I, San Juan Baño High School
Arayat, Pampanga

Dear Ma’am Aguas,

Greetings!
We, the Grade 12 students of San Juan Baño High School, are currently conducting a study
entitled, “Reading Between the Lines: The Effectiveness of Vocabulary Flashcards as a
Tool for Improving Grade 7 Students’ Reading Comprehension in English Subject”.
The study aims to gather bases for the study’s output which is to investigate the
effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving students reading comprehension, in
particular by describing and comparing control and experimental groups' reading
comprehension in terms of pre-test and post-test scores, determining whether there were
significant differences between these scores, and assessing the overall effectiveness of
vocabulary flashcards in improving reading comprehension of grade 7 students. The
ultimate goal of this study is to test whether the vocabulary flashcards can enhance
students’ comprehension in the English subject.
With your expertise in the field relevant to the study, the undersigned respectfully requests
you to spare a few of your time in the content validation of the interview guide questions
that the researchers will utilize with their data gathering procedure. Surely, through your
guidance, it will significantly help collect the data necessary to complete this study. Please
be assured that any information or data gathered will be treated with utmost diligence and
confidentiality.
Your positive response is highly appreciated. Thank you.

Yours truly,
Group 1 – 12-HUMSS

Sunshine Marie M. Barquez Mark Dhave C. Castillo Rizza P. Mallari

Jaschielle R. Mesina Aira H. Licu Hilario S. Miranda Lester S. Valerio

Noted by: Approved by:

Samantha Isabel V. Alarcon Laiza Grace U. Aguas

Research Adviser Validator
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Statement of the Problem

1. How may the reading comprehension of the control and experimental group be described

in terms of:

1.1 Pre-assessment

1.2 Post Assessment?

2. Is there a significant difference between the pre-assessment and post assessment scores?

3. How may the effectiveness of vocabulary flashcards in improving reading

comprehension be described in terms of:

3.1 reading fluency

3.2 sentence construction and cohesion

3.3 decoding
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

by O. Henry

That was all. She had put it aside, one cent and then another and then another, in her careful
buying of meat and other food. Della counted it three times. One dollar and eighty-seven
cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was nothing to do but fall on the bed and cry. So Della did it.

While the lady of the home is slowly growing quieter, we can look at the home. Furnished
rooms at a cost of $8 a week. There is lit- tle more to say about it.

In the hall below was a letter-box too small to hold a letter. There was an electric bell, but it
could not make a sound. Also there was a name beside the door: “Mr. James Dillingham
Young.”

When the name was placed there, Mr. James Dillingham Young was being paid $30 a
week. Now, when he was being paid only $20 a week, the name seemed too long and
important. It should perhaps have been “Mr. James D. Young.” But when Mr. James
Dillingham Young entered the furnished rooms, his name became very short indeed. Mrs.
James Dillingham Young put her arms warmly about him and called him “Jim.” You have
already met her. She is Della.

Della finished her crying and cleaned the marks of it from her face. She stood by the
window and looked out with no interest. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had
only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a gift. She had put aside as much as she could for
months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week is not much. Everything had cost more than
she had expected. It always happened like that.

Only $ 1.87 to buy a gift for Jim. Her Jim. She had had many happy hours planning
something nice for him. Something nearly good enough. Something almost worth the honor
of belonging to Jim.

There was a looking-glass between the windows of the room. Per- haps you have seen the
kind of looking-glass that is placed in $8 fur- nished rooms. It was very narrow. A person
could see only a little of himself at a time. However, if he was very thin and moved very

quickly, he might be able to get a good view of himself. Della, being quite thin, had
mastered this art.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Suddenly she turned from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining
brightly, but her face had lost its color. Quickly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its
complete length.

The James Dillingham Youngs were very proud of two things which they owned. One thing
was Jim’s gold watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long ago, it had belonged to
his father’s father. The other thing was Della’s hair.

If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della would have washed and dried her hair
where the queen could see it. Della knew her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s
jewels and gifts.

If a king had lived in the same house, with all his riches, Jim would have looked at his
watch every time they met. Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable.

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her, shining like a falling stream of brown water. It
reached below her knee. It almost made itself into a dress for her.

And then she put it up on her head again, nervously and quickly. Once she stopped for a
moment and stood still while a tear or two ran down her face.

She put on her old brown coat. She put on her old brown hat. With the bright light still in
her eyes, she moved quickly out the door and down to the street.

Where she stopped, the sign said: “Mrs. Sofronie. Hair Articles of all Kinds.”

Up to the second floor Della ran, and stopped to get her breath. Mrs. Sofronie, large, too
white, cold-eyed, looked at her.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair,” said Mrs. Sofronie. “Take your hat off and let me look at it.”

Down fell the brown waterfall.

“Twenty dollars,” said Mrs. Sofronie, lifting the hair to feel its weight.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Oh, and the next two hours seemed to fly. She was going from one shop to another, to find
a gift for Jim.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
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 shops, and she had looked in every shop in the city.

It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value was in its rich and pure material.
Because it was so plain and simple, you knew that it was very valuable. All good things are
like this.

It was good enough for The Watch.

As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. It was like him. Quietness and value
—Jim and the chain both had quietness and value. She paid twenty-one dollars for it. And
she hurried home with the chain and eighty-seven cents.

With that chain on his watch, Jim could look at his watch and learn the time anywhere he
might be. Though the watch was so fine, it had never had a fine chain. He sometimes took it
out and looked at it only when no one could see him do it.

When Della arrived home, her mind quieted a little. She began to think more reasonably.
She started to try to cover the sad marks of what she had done. Love and large-hearted
giving, when added together, can leave deep marks. It is never easy to cover these marks,
dear friends— never easy.

Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. With her short hair, she looked
wonderfully like a schoolboy. She stood at the looking-glass for a long time.

“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he looks at me a second time, he’ll say
I look like a girl who sings and dances for money. But what could I do—oh! What could I
do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?”

At seven, Jim’s dinner was ready for him.

Jim was never late. Della held the watch chain in her hand and sat near the door where he
always entered. Then she heard his step in the hall and her face lost color for a moment.

She often said little prayers quietly, about simple everyday things. And now she said:
“Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.”

The door opened and Jim stepped in. He looked very thin and he was not smiling. Poor
fellow, he was only twenty-two—and with a fam- ily to take care of! He needed a new coat
and he had nothing to cover his cold hands.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Jim stopped inside the door. He was as quiet as a hunting dog when it is near a bird. His
eyes looked strangely at Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not
understand. It filled her with fear. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor anything she had been
ready for. He simply looked at her with that strange expression on his face.

Della went to him.

“Jim, dear,” she cried, “don’t look at me like that. I had my hair cut off and sold it. I
couldn’t live through Christmas without giving you a

gift. My hair will grow again. You won’t care, will you? My hair grows very fast. It’s
Christmas, Jim. Let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice—what a beautiful nice gift I
got for you.”

“You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim slowly. He seemed to labor to understand what had
happened. He seemed not to feel sure he knew.

“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me now? I’m me, Jim. I’m the same
without my hair.”

Jim looked around the room.

“You say your hair is gone?” he said.

“You don’t have to look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you— sold and gone, too. It’s
the night before Christmas, boy. Be good to me, because I sold it for you. Maybe the hairs
of my head could be counted,” she said, “but no one could ever count my love for you.
Shall we eat dinner, Jim?”

Jim put his arms around his Della. For ten seconds let us look in another direction. Eight
dollars a week or a million dollars a year— how different are they? Someone may give you
an answer, but it will be wrong. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among
them. My meaning will be explained soon.

From inside the coat, Jim took something tied in paper. He threw it upon the table.

“I want you to understand me, Dell,” he said. “Nothing like a haircut could make me love
you any less. But if you’ll open that, you may know what I felt when I came in.”

White fingers pulled off the paper. And then a cry of joy; and then a change to tears.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
For there lay The Combs—the combs that Della had seen in a shop window and loved for a
long time. Beautiful combs, with jewels, perfect for her beautiful hair. She had known they
cost too much for her to buy them. She had looked at them without the least hope of
owning them. And now they were hers, but her hair was gone.

But she held them to her heart, and at last was able to look up and say: “My hair grows so
fast, Jim!”

And then she jumped up and cried, “Oh, oh!”

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful gift. She held it out to him in her open hand. The gold
seemed to shine softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit.

“Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at your watch a
hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they look together.”

Jim sat down and smiled.

“Della,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too
nice to use now. I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And now I think we
should have our dinner.”

The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the
newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts
were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not
wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But
let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the
most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere
they are the wise ones. They are the magi.
Taken from the grade 7 MATATAG Curriculum Exemplar.

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Pre-Assessment

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

Name: ________________________________ Yr. & Sec.: ____________ Score______

Instruction: Read the passage carefully and encircle the correct answer for each question.
Select the best answer that fits the context, and answer based on the information provided
in the passage. Do not leave any questions blank or make assumptions based on external
knowledge.
Part I. VOCABULARY TEST
1. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
2. What is the meaning of the word "waterfall" as used to describe Della's hair?
A. A small stream C. A colorful arrangement
B. A long, flowing cascade D. A messy tangle
3. What does the word "labor" mean in the context of Jim's understanding of
Della's haircut?
A. To work hard C. To struggle to comprehend
B. To give birth D. To relax
4. What is the meaning of the word "magi"?
A. Wise men B. Gift-givers C. Poor people D. Rich people
5. What does the word "valuable" mean in the context of the story?
A. Expensive C. Beautiful
B. Important D. All of the above
6. What is the meaning of the word "combs" as used in the story?
A. Hairbrushes C. Hair accessories with jewels
B. Hair ornaments D. Hair clips

7. What does the word "newborn" mean in the context of the story?
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
A. Recently born C. Infant
B. Young D. All of the above
8. What is the meaning of the word "wise" as used to describe the magi?
A. Intelligent C. Generous
B. Experienced D. All of the above
9. What does the word "strangely" mean in the context of Jim's expression?
A. Happily B. Sadly C. Unusually D. Angily
10. What is the meaning of the word "necessities" as used in the story?
A. Luxuries B. Basic needs C. Desires D. Wants

Part II. READING COMPREHENSION TEST

1. What is the author's purpose in describing the setting of the story in detail?
A. To create a sense of atmosphere and mood
B. To provide background information
C. To emphasize the characters' emotions
D. To create a sense of tension
2. How does the author use descriptive language to characterize Della's hair?
A. By comparing it to a waterfall C. By mentioning its texture and style
B. By describing its color and length D. By stating its monetary value
3. What is the author's tone in describing Jim's reaction to Della's haircut?
A. Sarcastic B. Humorous C. Sentimental D. Critical
4. How does the author use transitional phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
C. To create cohesion and connect ideas
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga

D. To emphasize the characters' emotions

5. What is the purpose of using repetition in the story?
A. To create a sense of tension
B. To emphasize the characters' emotions
C. To create cohesion and emphasize certain ideas
D. To provide background information
6. How does the author use pronouns to refer back to previous ideas?
A. To create a sense of contrast
B. To provide background information
C. To create cohesion and refer back to previous ideas
D. To emphasize the characters' emotions
7. What does the word "furnished" mean in the context of the story?
A. Decorated C. Equipped with basic necessities
B. Rented D. Owned
8. What does the phrase "the magi" refer to in the story?
A. The Three Wise Men C. The setting of the story
B. The characters in the story D. The theme of the story
9. What does the word "large-hearted" mean in the context of the story?
A. Selfish B. Generous C. Cruel D. Indifferent
10. What does the word "careful" mean in the context of the sentence, "She had put it aside,
one cent and then another and then another, in her economical buying of meat and other
food"?
A. Thoughtless B. Thrifty C. Impulsive D. Wasteful
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
Schools Division of Pampanga
San Juan Baño High School
San Juan Baño, Arayat, Pampanga
Additional Suggestions:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Expert Validation Credentials & Experience

Mrs. Laiza Grace U. Aguas is a dedicated educator and trainer with extensive experience in
the field. With 4 years of experience as an English Teacher and 2 years as a Trainer, Laiza
has honed their skills in both teaching and facilitating learning. She has been recognized
with multiple awards as Best Trainer and Best Performer, highlighting their exceptional
contributions in the field.

In addition to her practical experience, she holds 36 MA units in Educational Management,

showcasing their commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Their
academic excellence was acknowledged with the Academic Excellence and Leadership
Award at Saint Mary’s Angels College of Pampanga.

Furthermore, Laiza possesses a C1 Advanced English Level CEFR certification,

demonstrating their high level of proficiency in English language teaching and
communication. As a research grammarian, they have validated 6 research papers and
served as a research panelist at AHCEFI, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

In their role as a trainer, she has provided product expertise and communication training,
helping individuals and teams enhance their skills and performance. With a passion for
education and a commitment to excellence, Laiza continues to make significant
contributions to the field of English language teaching and training.