And he taught them that after Jesus had manifested himself to his disciples to be that Christ that was crucified, dead and buried; and by his appearing and conversing with his disciples for the space of forty days after his resurrection, he then, and not till then, ascended into heaven in the sight of those disciples; namely, on that day which we call the ascension, or Holy Thursday. And that we then celebrate the performance of the promise which he made to his disciples at or before his ascension; namely, “that though he left them yet he would send them the Holy Ghost to be their comforter;” and that he did so on that day which the Church calls Whitsunday.* Thus the Church keeps an historical and circular commemoration of times, as they pass by us; of such times as ought to incline us to occasional praises, for the particular blessings which we do, or might receive, by those holy commemorations.
From ‘The Life of Mr George Herbert (1670) by Izaak Walton (1593-1683).
* Its more technical name is Pentecost, indicating the fiftieth day after Passover; it was originally a Jewish feast of the Spring harvest. The English name Whitsunday, or White Sunday, derives from the very early tradition that christenings were held on this day, as they were on all the Sundays from Easter to Pentecost, for which white robes were used.
Précis
Leaving Easter behind, Herbert noted that Christ taught his disciples the mysteries of his Passion until the Ascension after forty days. Then he spoke of Pentecost (naming it Whitsunday) ten days afterwards, commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost, before returning to his theme, that the Church calendar exists to reminds of things for which to be thankful. (58 / 60 words)
Leaving Easter behind, Herbert noted that Christ taught his disciples the mysteries of his Passion until the Ascension after forty days. Then he spoke of Pentecost (naming it Whitsunday) ten days afterwards, commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost, before returning to his theme, that the Church calendar exists to reminds of things for which to be thankful.
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, may, not, or, ought, whether.
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Word Games
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 Circumcision. Note. Such.
2 East. Then. Would.
3 Frankincense. Mankind. Saint.
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 Ghostly. 2 Passing. 3 Blessed. 4 New. 5 Better. 6 Useful. 7 Happy. 8 Happier. 9 Used.
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?
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