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A portrait of a young woman, by Ivan Makarov (1822–1897). White Nights is told by an unnamed narrator, who looks back over a brief but intense friendship with a girl called Nastenka (short for Anastasia) during the romantic white nights of St Petersburg in June. Both live very restricted, reclusive lives, both are sensitive and highly strung. One after the other they share their personal histories, and as Nastenka speaks it becomes clear that for our hero, the friendship is going to present him with a dilemma. Whether the story has a happy ending or not is not an easy question to answer.
But while I was seeking for a word, the girl came to herself, looked round, started, cast down her eyes and slipped by me along the embankment. I at once followed her; but she, divining this, left the embankment, crossed the road and walked along the pavement. I dared not cross the street after her. My heart was fluttering like a captured bird. All at once a chance came to my aid. Along the same side of the pavement there suddenly came into sight, not far from the girl, a gentleman in evening dress, of dignified years, though by no means of dignified carriage; he was staggering and cautiously leaning against the wall. The girl flew straight as an arrow, with the timid haste one sees in all girls who do not want any one to volunteer to accompany them home at night, and no doubt the staggering gentleman would not have pursued her, if my good luck had not prompted him.
Précis
The girl, realising she was being watched, began to make off, quickening as the narrator showed signs of following her. Just then a man came into view, evidently the worse for drink. He might have let her alone, but some imp — the narrator called it his own good fortune — prompted him to clumsy gallantry towards a lady alone at night. (60 / 60 words)
The girl, realising she was being watched, began to make off, quickening as the narrator showed signs of following her. Just then a man came into view, evidently the worse for drink. He might have let her alone, but some imp — the narrator called it his own good fortune — prompted him to clumsy gallantry towards a lady alone at night.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, just, or, otherwise, since, unless, until.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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Grok : Ask Grok
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