Introduction
Below is a brief overview of the Kings of England from King George III in 1760, who lost the American colonies but encouraged the Industrial Revolution, to Queen Victoria in 1837, in whose day Britain became a worldwide trading Empire and ushered in the modern world.
THE collapse of Revolutionary France saw Napoleon Bonaparte emerge as Emperor in 1804, with designs on all Europe. George III could celebrate Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805, but by Napoleon’s final surrender at Waterloo in 1815, the King was incapacitated by mental illness, and from 1811 his son George governed as Regent.
When he became George IV in 1820, like his father he was King of the United Kingdom, as the crown of Ireland, held separately since the time of Henry VIII, had been merged with that of Great Britain in 1801. George’s brother William IV followed in 1830, and their niece Victoria, daughter of their deceased brother Edward, succeeded William in 1837, aged eighteen.
Victoria’s long reign saw the flowering of the Industrial Revolution, the spread of railways, and the birth of the modern world. India came under direct rule from London, the British Raj, in 1858, and Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India, a country and culture which entranced her, in 1877.*
The title was held by Victoria’s successors until George VI (r. 1936-1952), who divested it after India was granted independence in 1947.
Précis
Ill-health meant that George III’s son was acting as Regent when Britain dashed Napoleon Bonaparte’s hopes of European empire in 1815. Now free to prosper, throughout the long reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901) British global trade and industrial innvoation reached new heights, and Victoria took particular delight in Britain’s partnership with India in the Raj. (57 / 60 words)
Ill-health meant that George III’s son was acting as Regent when Britain dashed Napoleon Bonaparte’s hopes of European empire in 1815. Now free to prosper, throughout the long reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901) British global trade and industrial innvoation reached new heights, and Victoria took particular delight in Britain’s partnership with India in the Raj.
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: because, if, must, not, otherwise, ought, since, unless.
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 But. Hold. Proclaim.
2 All. Separate. Surrender.
3 Empress. Father. Their.
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.
Statements, Questions and Commands Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in a sentence. Try to include at least one statement, one question and one command among your sentences. Note that some verbs make awkward or meaningless words of command, e.g. need, happen.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Become. 2 Design. 3 Celebrate. 4 Entrance. 5 Spread. 6 Rule. 7 Flower. 8 Hold. 9 Follow.
Variations: 1. use a minimum of seven words for each sentence 2. include negatives, e.g. isn’t, don’t, never 3. use the words ‘must’ to make commands 4. compose a short dialogue containing all three kinds of sentence: one statement, one question and one command
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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