The Gift of the Magi - Macmillan Readers

US Stories Answer Key
Literary analysis
Plot
1 h, f, g, i, a, b, d, e, c, j, k
2, 3, 4, 5 Student’s own answers
Character
6 Betton, Vyse and Strett. Betton and Vyse were at university together. Betton became a famous writer,
Vyse failed to make a living through his writing. Strett is Betton’s valet and one of the symbols of his
success. Betton is the main character.
7 Betton: affable, furious, high-coloured, stout, well-fed
Vyse: calm, hard-up, pale, shabby, truculent, starved, thin
Strett: devoted, watchful
affable/truculent; calm/furious; high-coloured/pale; stout/thin; well-fed/starved
Student’s own answer
8, 9, 10, 11 Student’s own answers
Narration
12 An anonymous third-person narrator who does not introduce him/herself. Student’s own answer
13 No. The narrator mainly reports Betton’s point of view. The narrator does not report the thoughts and
feelings of the other characters.
14 Betton. Betton is socially superior to the others. He is in charge and he is also the centre of attention.
The story revolves around him.
15, 16 Student’s own answers
Style
17 languidly, sensuous joy, renovating
The words convey a sense of luxury.
18 1 the sounds from the street; orchestral music; complexity and pleasure; that it has changed recently
2 Betton’s free time; a pack of hunting dogs; stress and worry; that he has a busy schedule
3 the bathroom; a temple, a sacred place of worship; peace and purity; that he enjoys this bathtime
luxury
4 as 3
19, 20 Student’s own answers
21 Betton. Vyse. Because he has become a famous writer and Vyse hasn’t. Uncomfortable and possibly
patronised, but he needs the job. Student’s own answer
22 Student’s own answer
Macmillan Readers Full Circle 34
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