The Gift of the Magi (Adapted)
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About this ebook
This is O. Henry’s classic American short story about a young husband and wife who are very much in love, but who have no money. Christmas is coming, and each wants to buy a special gift. And so each comes up with a secret plan... what could possibly go wrong?
This adaptation is suitable for readers at the high intermediate level (CEFR B2), and includes discussion questions and a vocabulary section. In addition, the original, unchanged story is included at the back of the book for those learners who want an extra challenge.
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The Gift of the Magi (Adapted) - Dorothy Zemach
The Gift of the Magi
adapted from the short story by O. Henry
Dorothy Zemach
Copyright © 2020 by Dorothy Zemach
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
A Note about the Adaptation
The Gift of the Magi
Before You Read
The Gift of the Magi
After You Read
The Original, Unadapted Story
About This Story’s Creators
A Note about the Adaptation
This story is a classic of American literature. Written over a hundred years ago, it is still read in schools and living rooms around the world by people who enjoy good stories. You may find, in fact, that once you know this story too, that you notice references to it in popular culture or people’s conversations.
I decided to adapt this short story, a favorite of mine, for people who are learning English or improving their reading ability in English. I changed some vocabulary to simpler or more common words, and sometimes I changed the syntax in a sentence to something easier to figure out, or divided one long sentence into two shorter ones.
However, I also left some of the more ‘difficult’ vocabulary so that the story would keep its original atmosphere and mood. These days, it is easy to check a dictionary while reading an ebook. The story has been simplified; yet it is not simple.
I encourage you to read the story all the way through, the first time, without stopping to check unknown words. In this way, you will develop your ability to feel
the meaning of