Clay Lane: the Blog

32 15 May

N. gives a verb and names one of the three kinds of sentence, viz. Statement, Question, Command. M. uses the word in that kind of sentence. For example:

1 Disappear, in a Question.

2 Bring, in a Command.

3 Keep, in a Statement.

More verbs: IAdmit. IIFry. IIILook. IVPlay. VScrub.

Since commands can be as short as a single word, let’s say that sentences should be seven words or more in length.

Based on an exercise in Think and Speak (1929) by NL Clay.

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33 14 May

Red Faced

Below are three sentences taken from Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. The words have been jumbled up: see if you can restore them to the original order.

1 thinking married he’s getting of

2 hair to blushed the of up eleanor her roots.

3 unhappy harding this mr very all made

Sentences from Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

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34 14 May

Good Sense

Rewrite the following sentences, keeping the same idea but avoiding the word ‘unless’.

1I don’t know how she managed, unless by good sense and good humour.

Mary Russell Mitford, Our Village

2I don’t mean to believe it unless I have it fairly proved before witnesses.

Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

3Unless a nation is ruled by its best elements it must wither and decay.

Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche

For Example

“I won’t go unless you all go too,” Alice said.

Edith Nesbit, The Treasure Seekers

“If you all don’t go too,” said Alice, “I won’t go.”

“You’ve all got to come along,” Alice said, “otherwise I won’t go.”

“I’m not going without you, all of you” said Alice.”

35 13 May

Abstract

Use the following words in sentences, as a Noun, Verb or Adjective. How have you used your word, and how do you know?

IAbstract. IIDark. IIIIdeal. IVMinute. VPrompt. VISurprise.

36 12 May

Better By Example

by Gregory Nazianzen

Introduction — From 361 to 363, the Roman Empire was ruled by Julian the Apostate, so named because he had been brought up as a Christian but had chosen Roman paganism instead. In 362, Julian began a systematic persecution of Christians, leading to anger and rebellion. Gregory, a priest in the town of Nazianzus, told his parishioners not to play Julian’s game — even when the tables were turning.

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37 12 May

Speed Clues

This is really a game for two. Suppose you have been given a secret list containing the five words below. Can you help your friend guess all five words in under a minute?

IVeterinary surgeon. IISieve. IIIScent. IVTwist. VBang.

You can use definitions like those you find in a dictionary, or just anything you know your friend will ‘get’. Don’t use the word itself, or a word that sounds exactly the same.

For example

Detective.

A person, especially a police officer, who attempts to solve crimes by deductive reasoning.

Or more simply, Sherlock Holmes was a private one.

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