Introduction
The lordly Hall of Hrothgar, King of the Danes, has been plagued night after night by a grotesque creature named Grendel. Offspring of Cain through many wretched fathers, he dwelt in swamps, feeding off the flesh of men, and feared neither sword nor spear. But tonight, Beowulf and his Swedish warrior-band have answered Hrothgar’s call for aid; and lying on soft pelts and rugs, they wait in uneasy slumber.
NOT that rest came to any of them at first; for not one thought in his heart he should ever again see his own folk, his native land, the castle where he was nurtured. But even as they kept turning these things over in their minds their limbs relaxed, their lids grew heavy with very weariness, and — they slept.
All slept, but one, — and he lay quite still, straining his ear to listen and his eye to peer through the dim night.
And hark! tramp, tramp, he came marching from the moor, — Grendel, the God-sent scourge. Straight for the hall he made through the gloom: it was not the first time he visited Hrothgar’s homestead; but never had he met such a welcome as now awaited him there.
He came carelessly along, as one assured of his entertainment. The door, though fastened with bars of wrought iron, sprang open at his touch. Quickly he stepped across the flagged floor, big with rage, with eyes ablaze.
Précis
Beowulf and his warriors have pledged to help rid Hrothgar of Grendel, a man-eating nocturnal terror. As they wait, one by one they fall into uneasy sleep, except for Beowulf, who remains taut and watchful. At last the sound of Grendel’s footsteps is heard, and he steals into the hall, eager for his prey. (54 / 60 words)
Beowulf and his warriors have pledged to help rid Hrothgar of Grendel, a man-eating nocturnal terror. As they wait, one by one they fall into uneasy sleep, except for Beowulf, who remains taut and watchful. At last the sound of Grendel’s footsteps is heard, and he steals into the hall, eager for his prey.
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: despite, may, must, not, or, ought, unless, whereas.
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.
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