AFTER supper the young branches* of our host had a dance, and Mozart joined them. Madame Mozart told me, that great as his genius was, he was an enthusiast in dancing, and often said that his taste lay in that art, rather than in music. He was a remarkably small man, very thin and pale, with a profusion of fine fair hair, of which he was rather vain.
He gave me a cordial invitation to his house, of which I availed myself, and passed a great part of my time there. He always received me with kindness and hospitality. He was remarkably fond of punch,* of which beverage I have seen him take copious draughts. He was also fond of billiards, and had an excellent billiard table in his house. Many and many a game have I played with him, but always came off second best. He gave Sunday concerts, at which I never was missing. He was kind-hearted, and always ready to oblige; but so very particular, when he played, that if the slightest noise were made, he instantly left off.
* Meaning his children, an allusion to Psalm 128:4 in the Coverdale translation used in the Church of England.
* Punch is a varied mixture of alcoholic drinks and fruit juices. It was introduced to England and thence to Europe in the late seventeenth century by employees of the British East India Company. The name is believed to derive from the Hindi word paanch meaning ‘five’, an allusion to the drink’s five traditional ingredients of alcohol, sugar, fruit juice (lime or lemon), water, and spices.
Précis
Kelly went on to give a pen-portrait of Mozart, who had just turned twenty-seven, as a man of slight build who was a little fussy about his hair and outrageously talented, surpassing everyone as a musician, a dancer and even on the billards table. The great composer had a weakness for punch, but was always kindhearted and anxious to please. (60 / 60 words)
Kelly went on to give a pen-portrait of Mozart, who had just turned twenty-seven, as a man of slight build who was a little fussy about his hair and outrageously talented, surpassing everyone as a musician, a dancer and even on the billards table. The great composer had a weakness for punch, but was always kindhearted and anxious to please.
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: if, may, not, or, ought, unless, until, whereas.
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Word Games
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 Lady. Musical. Rapidity.
2 Copious. Felt. Punch.
3 If. One. Speak.
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.)
Prepositions Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below may be followed by one or more prepositions. Compose your own sentences to show which they might be. Some prepositions are given underneath.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Deal. 2. Introduced. 3. Readiness. 4. Obliged.
Selected Prepositions
About. Against. Among. At. By. For. From. In. Into. Of. On. Out. Over. Through. To. Towards. Upon. With.
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
frs (12+1)
fairies. fairs. fares. fears. fires. firs. foresee. fours. frees. fries. furious. furs.
freesia.
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