Intermediate level-The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

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story

Once upon a time, in a cozy little apartment, lived Della and Jim, a young couple deeply in love. As Christmas approached, their hearts were filled with excitement, but their pockets were empty. With only $1.87 to spare between them, Della and Jim faced the challenge of finding the perfect gifts for each other.

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Della, with her bright eyes and determined spirit, decided to sell her most prized possession—her long, flowing hair. She braved the chilly winter air and hurried to Mme Sofronie. Sofronie's hair goods shop. With trembling hands, she offered her locks in exchange for money.

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Meanwhile, Jim, unaware of Della's sacrifice, pondered over how to make Christmas special for his beloved wife. With a heavy heart, he made a difficult decision to part with his treasured gold watch—a family heirloom passed down through generations.

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On Christmas Eve, as the clock ticked closer to midnight, Della and Jim exchanged their gifts. Della presented Jim with a beautiful platinum fob chain for his watch, while Jim surprised Della with a set of exquisite combs for her hair.

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Tears of joy and bittersweet realization flowed freely as they realized the extent of each other's sacrifices. Della's heart swelled with love as she saw Jim's adoration for her, despite the loss of her hair. And Jim, overwhelmed with emotion, realized that Della's love was more precious than any material possession.

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Their humble apartment seemed to glow with warmth and love as they embraced it, grateful for the priceless gifts they had exchanged. In that moment, they understood that true love knows no bounds and is measured not by the value of gifts but by the depth of sacrifice and devotion.

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As they sat together, hand in hand, by the flickering light of the Christmas tree, they knew that they were richer than any king or queen. For they possessed a love that was pure, selfless, and unwavering—a gift more precious than any treasure.

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And so, in their small corner of the world, Della and Jim celebrated a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and the true spirit of giving. And though their pockets may have been empty, their hearts were overflowing with the richness of their love for each other.

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Words and Idioms

1. Prized (adj.) - highly valued or cherished

2. Braved (v.) - faced or confronted courageously

3. Sacrifice (n.) - the act of giving up something valuable for the sake of something else

4. Treasured (adj.) - highly valued or cherished​

5. Adoration (n.) - deep love, admiration, or worship

6. Bittersweet (adj.) - containing a mixture of sadness and happiness​

7. Humble (adj.) - modest or unpretentious

8. Unwavering (adj.) - steady and constant, not changing or faltering

9. Flickering (adj.) - shining unsteadily or wavering in brightness​

10.Spirit of giving (idiom) - the attitude or willingness to give to others without expecting anything in return

Questions

1. What was Della's prized possession that she decided to sell?

a) A gold watch

b) A platinum fob chain

c) A set of combs

d) Her long hair

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2. What did Jim decide to sacrifice in order to buy a gift for Della?

a) His gold watch

b) His car

c) His favorite book

d) His winter coat

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3. How did Della feel when she saw Jim's reaction to her gift?

a) Angry

b) Sad

c) Overwhelmed with love

d) Indifferent

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4. What did Jim realize about Della's love?

a) It was worthless

b) It was superficial

c) It was more precious than any material possession

d) It was conditional

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5. What does Della's decision to sell her hair symbolize?

a) Sacrifice for love

b) Greed

c) Selfishness

d) Materialism

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6. What is the main theme of the story?

a) The importance of material possessions

b) The power of true love and sacrifice

c) The joy of receiving expensive gifts

d) The consequences of poverty

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Short writing topics:

7. Describe a time when you made a sacrifice for someone you love. How did it make you feel?

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8. Discuss the significance of the gifts exchanged between Della and Jim in the story. What do they symbolize?

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9. Imagine you are Della or Jim. Write a diary entry reflecting on your feelings before and after exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve.

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Answers

1. d) Her long hair

2. a) His gold watch

3. c) Overwhelmed with love

4. c) It was more precious than any material possession

5. a) Sacrifice for love

6. b) The power of true love and sacrifice

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7. Making a sacrifice for someone I love was when I gave up attending a highly anticipated concert to help my friend move houses. Despite my excitement for the concert, seeing my friend overwhelmed with packing and stress made me realize that being there for them was more important. Although I missed out on the concert, the gratitude and appreciation from my friend made me feel fulfilled and content. It reinforced the bond of friendship and taught me the value of selflessness and putting others' needs before my own.

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8. The gifts exchanged between Della and Jim hold profound symbolic meaning. Della's sacrifice of her hair represents selflessness and unconditional love, as she parts with her most prized possession to buy a gift for Jim. Similarly, Jim's decision to sell his watch signifies his willingness to make sacrifices for Della's

happiness. The gifts symbolize the depth of their love and the extent to which they are willing to go for each other, highlighting the theme of true love and sacrifice in the story.

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9. Della's Diary Entry:

December 24th, 20XX

Tonight, as I exchanged gifts with Jim, my heart swelled with both excitement and apprehension. I couldn't wait to see his reaction to the platinum fob chain I bought him, but I was nervous about his response to my chopped hair. When Jim revealed that he had sold his watch to buy combs for my hair, I was overcome with a mix of emotions—gratitude, love, and guilt. Seeing Jim's selfless gesture made me realize the depth of his love for me, and I felt incredibly blessed to have him in my life. Though our gifts may seem simple, they represent the profound bond we share and the sacrifices we are willing to make for each other.

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Intermediate level-The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

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