For these Reasons, Trade cannot be carried on so cheap as in free Countries: and whoever supplies the Commodity cheapest, will command the Market. In free Countries, Men bring out their Money for their life, Pleasure, and Profit, and think of all Ways to employ it for their Interest and Advantage. New Projects are every Day invented, new Trades searched after, new Manufactures set up; and when Tradesmen have nothing to fear but from those whom they trust, Credit will run high, and they will venture in Trade for many times as much as they are worth: But in Arbitrary Countries, Men in Trade are every Moment liable to be undone, without the Guilt of Sea or Wind, without the Folly or Treachery of their Correspondents, or their own want of Care or Industry; their Wealth shall be their Snare, and their Abilities, Vigilance, and their Success shall either be their undoing, or nothing to their Advantage: Nor can they trust any one else, or any one else them, when Payment and Performance must depend upon the Honesty and Wisdom of those who often have none.
Original spelling
Précis
In free countries (the authors went on) goods are cheap, credit is easy, new discoveries and inventions flow, and every man can pursue his dream. But in countries where the State can do as it pleases, simply being wealthy attracts the notice of grasping officials, and there is an atmosphere of well-deserved suspicion and distrust that soon stifles business. (59 / 60 words)
In free countries (the authors went on) goods are cheap, credit is easy, new discoveries and inventions flow, and every man can pursue his dream. But in countries where the State can do as it pleases, simply being wealthy attracts the notice of grasping officials, and there is an atmosphere of well-deserved suspicion and distrust that soon stifles business.
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, must, not, otherwise, ought, until, whereas.
About the Authors
John Trenchard (1662-1723) was a barrister and MP for Taunton, remembered today for his partnership with his secretary Thomas Gordon (?-1750). In 1720-23, the two men published a series of outspoken letters in the British press, criticising the government of George I for misuse of public funds, abuse of patronage, meddling in the lives of citizens, and destroying the prosperity of the nation by military interventions. The letters, signed ‘Cato’ in reference to the vocal critic of Roman dictator Julius Caesar, were popular in Britain and also in America, where they were quoted by leading figures in the American independence movement.
Archive
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 Life. New. Often.
2 Lower. Stock. Take.
3 Any. Rapacious. Undoing.
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.)
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Highest. 2 Careless. 3 Great. 4 Lifeless. 5 Able. 6 Careful. 7 Designing. 8 Easy. 9 Willing.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
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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