“Yes. Well, now, my plan is this: As soon as the shop gets on its feet, in a manner of speaking, we’ll fix on a moderate interest — say 2½ per cent, per year — and then, after laying a bit aside for a dull season, and paying all expenses, divide the rest of the profits among the members according to the money they have spent in the shop. That’s the idea, mates. Just you think about it.”
The men looked at each other, some nodded, some shook their heads, some scratched them, in their efforts to take in this novel idea.
One man suddenly slapped his thigh, and gave a delighted chuckle. “Well,” he said, “that beats all. Why, the more we spend the more we’ll get. Our Mollie will like that.”
There was a general laugh at this brilliant idea, and then the debate began; and that night when closing time came there were more debates with the “Missis” at the fireside of many humble cottages in Rochdale.
From Our Story: a history of the co-operative movement for young people (1903) by Miss Isa Nicholson of the Preston Branch of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Nicholson was commissioned to write it by the Society, for use in schools.
Précis
Howarth’s idea was that subscribers would receive a share of the store’s profits in proportion to the amount of custom they brought during the year, thus rewarding loyalty with hard cash. Once the idea had sunk in, the other members rose enthusiastically to approve it, and the first co-operative store came a step nearer to reality. (56 / 60 words)
Howarth’s idea was that subscribers would receive a share of the store’s profits in proportion to the amount of custom they brought during the year, thus rewarding loyalty with hard cash. Once the idea had sunk in, the other members rose enthusiastically to approve it, and the first co-operative store came a step nearer to reality.
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, although, because, just, may, must, or, ought.
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 Every. Idea. Manner.
2 First. Foot. Room.
3 His. Hope. Reply.
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 Better. 2 Sudden. 3 Helpful. 4 Useful. 5 Used. 6 Worst. 7 Willing. 8 Regular. 9 Chief.
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).
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 -less.
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.
grs (7+6)
agrees. gears. gores. grease. grouse. gurus. ogres.
augers. auguries. augurs. giros. goers. gorse.
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