CAEDMON sought the counsel of Hild, Abbess of the monastery at Whitby.
She had him repeat his tale, complete with his song, to her most learned monks, and they agreed that Caedmon possessed a heavenly gift. They set a fresh passage of Scripture for homework, which by morning he had woven into another song of surpassing wisdom and sweetness.
Hild now warmly invited Caedmon to join the monastery. Many of England’s future bishops and priests were in training there, and she was keen to see the farm-hand learn the whole Christian story, from the Creation to the life of Christ and the hope of heaven, in their company.
One day, though in fair health for his age, Caedmon asked for a bed in the infirmary, and to receive holy communion. He enquired how long it was until night prayers, and closed his eyes.
Presently, the chants began and, as if at a summons, Caedmon gave his soul into the hands of the Creator.
Précis
Caedmon’s new-found gift for composing hymns was so overwhelming that he asked Hild, Abbess of the monastery where he worked, for advice. She took him in to the monastery, where he continued to turn the Scriptures into songs until the day he died, quietly passing away just as the chants of Night Prayer were beginning (which he seemed to expect). (60 / 60 words)
Caedmon’s new-found gift for composing hymns was so overwhelming that he asked Hild, Abbess of the monastery where he worked, for advice. She took him in to the monastery, where he continued to turn the Scriptures into songs until the day he died, quietly passing away just as the chants of Night Prayer were beginning (which he seemed to expect).
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: although, because, if, must, or, otherwise, since, whether.
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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.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Appear. Holy. See.
2 Morning. Summons. Would.
3 Estate. Hand. Weave.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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