No! oh, dear no! sleep! no more sleep. Outside, I liked to watch the mice; but when they climbed the ivy and got inside, the pleasure entirely ceased. Nor was this all; they got into the vineries and spoilt the grapes, and the rats killed the young ducks and chickens, and undermined the building also, besides storing quantities of grain and other things under the floor.
The result number one was, three cats coming on a visit. Farmyard cats — cats that knew the difference between chickens, ducklings, mice, and rats. Result number two, that after being away a couple of weeks, I went again to my cottage, and I slept undisturbed in the room late the playground of the mice. My chickens and ducklings were safe, and soon the cats allowed the birds to be fed in front of the window, though I could not break them of destroying many of the nests.
I never noticed more fully the very great use the domestic cat is to man than on that occasion. All day my cats were indoors, dozy, sociable, and contented. At night they were on guard outside, and doubtless saved me the lives of dozens of my ‘young things.’
Précis
At last, Weir felt he had no choice but to hire three farm cats. With consummate professionalism they despatched the mice and rats but left his domestic fowl alone, and even ignored the songbirds that crowded round his window. The relief prompted him to reflect that cats are truly a blessing to man — and sometimes even to little birds too. (60 / 60 words)
At last, Weir felt he had no choice but to hire three farm cats. With consummate professionalism they despatched the mice and rats but left his domestic fowl alone, and even ignored the songbirds that crowded round his window. The relief prompted him to reflect that cats are truly a blessing to man — and sometimes even to little birds too.
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, besides, if, must, otherwise, ought, since, until.
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 Hour. Indoor. Room.
2 Cease. Foot. Skirt.
3 Ivy. Kill. While.
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.)
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.
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Like. 2. Light. 3. Keep. 4. Watch. 5. Break. 6. Content. 7. Drive. 8. Board. 9. Duck.
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.
stds (5+1)
steadies. studies. studios. studious. studs.
steeds.
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