LET a wine glass filled with water be inverted over the Conferva, the air will collect in the upper part of the glass, and when the glass is filled with air, it may be closed by the hand, placed in its usual position, and an inflamed taper introduced into it; the taper will burn with more brilliancy than in the atmosphere. This is an experiment. If the phenomena are reasoned upon, and the question is put, whether all vegetables of this kind, in fresh or in salt water, do not produce such air under like circumstances, the enquirer is guided by analogy: and when this is determined to be the case by new trials, a general scientific truth is established — That all Confervae in the sunshine produce a species of air that supports flame in a superior degree;* which has been shewn to be the case by various minute investigations.
These principles of research, and combinations of methods, have been little applied, except in late times.*
* Owing to a high proportion of oxygen, a product of photosynthesis.
* That is, only recently. Davy makes a great deal of the contrast between mediaeval alchemy and the chemistry which accompanied the industrial revolution, though he shows proper respect to pioneers such as Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626).
Précis
Davy described a simple instance of observation, analogy and experiment. He remarked, by Analogy, that water weeds of all kinds produced the little gas bubbles he had noted by Observation in one sample. He then showed by Experiment that the gas consistently burns more brightly than air, before adding that such scientific method was a recent innovation. (57 / 60 words)
Davy described a simple instance of observation, analogy and experiment. He remarked, by Analogy, that water weeds of all kinds produced the little gas bubbles he had noted by Observation in one sample. He then showed by Experiment that the gas consistently burns more brightly than air, before adding that such scientific method was a recent innovation.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, just, must, otherwise, ought, since, who.
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 Foundation. Investigation. Respect.
2 Air. Progression. Show.
3 Its. Method. Philosophy.
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.)
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding dis-.
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 Close. 2 Late. 3 Chemical. 4 Determined. 5 Distinct. 6 Established. 7 Various. 8 Leading. 9 Latest.
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).
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 ()
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
