Introduction
Captain Wentworth once proposed to Anne Eliott, but to her lasting regret her family persuaded her to reject him. Years later, Captain Wentworth is eavesdropping while Anne tells a friend, Captain Harville, that men soon forget such disappointments.
“Ah!” cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling, “if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at his wdfe and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows whether we ever meet again!’ And then, if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a twelvemonth’s absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port, he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till such a day,’ but all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them arrive at last, as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner still! If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his existence! I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!” pressing his own with emotion.
Précis
Anne Elliot and Captain Harville are discussing whether women are more faithful in love than men are. Captain Harville paints a moving word-picture of the Navy captain (at any rate, one such as he is) who struggles to bear the parting from his wife on his long sea-journeys, and yearns ever more for her as the home port comes closer. (60 / 60 words)
Anne Elliot and Captain Harville are discussing whether women are more faithful in love than men are. Captain Harville paints a moving word-picture of the Navy captain (at any rate, one such as he is) who struggles to bear the parting from his wife on his long sea-journeys, and yearns ever more for her as the home port comes closer.
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: about, despite, if, just, may, must, not, otherwise.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
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.
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