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Introduction
Mark Twain was invited by fellow office-workers to go bowling with them. He declined as he knew nothing of the game, but now they seemed so anxious for his company that he was rather flattered, and gave in.
I WAS given an alley all to myself. The boys explained the game to me, and they also explained to me that there would be an hour’s play, and that the player who scored the fewest ten-strikes in the hour would have to provide oysters and beer for the combination.
This disturbed me very seriously, since it promised me bankruptcy, but my pride would not allow me to back out now, so I did what I could to look satisfied and glad I had come. It is not likely that I looked as contented as I wanted to, but the others looked glad enough to make up for it, for they were quite unable to hide their evil joy. They showed me how to stand, and how to aim the ball, and how to let fly; and then the game began.
The results were astonishing. During half an hour I never started a ball down the alley that didn’t score a ten-strike, every time, at the other end.
Précis
American novelist Mark Twain recalled that he was once invited to play ten-pin bowling by friends. As he was a total novice, they gave him a lane to himself and taught him the basics, but stipulated that whoever scored lowest must stand oysters and beer for all. To his surprise and theirs, however, Twain’s every ball was a ten-strike. (59 / 60 words)
American novelist Mark Twain recalled that he was once invited to play ten-pin bowling by friends. As he was a total novice, they gave him a lane to himself and taught him the basics, but stipulated that whoever scored lowest must stand oysters and beer for all. To his surprise and theirs, however, Twain’s every ball was a ten-strike.
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: may, not, otherwise, ought, unless, until, whereas, whether.
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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