Introduction
Polydectes, King of Seriphos, sent Perseus to get the vile Gorgon’s head, thinking it was a hopeless errand that would lead to the boy’s death.
POLYDECTES, King of Seriphos, coveted Danaë, but he was afraid of her young son Perseus.
So the King demanded that the boy leave the island, and not return without the head of the Gorgon Medusa, so hideous that to look on her would turn a man to stone.
As he went, Perseus met Athene, who gave him a shield polished like a mirror, and a sword of adamant.
Nymphs gave him a helmet too, brought from Hades itself, which shrouded him in darkness as Perseus crept into Medusa’s den.
Using the reflection in the shield, Perseus did not have to look on the Gorgon directly, and with a single stroke he swept off her head as she slept.
When he returned to Seriphos, Perseus found his mother still harassed by Polydectes. He brandished the Gorgon’s head before the King’s horrified eyes, and turned him to stone.
Précis
Polydectes sent Perseus to fetch the head of a Gorgon named Medusa, the sight of which would turn any man to stone. Looking only at her reflection in his polished shield, Perseus beheaded the Gorgon, and then took his revenge by thrusting the severed head in front of Polydectes’s eyes. (50 / 60 words)
Polydectes sent Perseus to fetch the head of a Gorgon named Medusa, the sight of which would turn any man to stone. Looking only at her reflection in his polished shield, Perseus beheaded the Gorgon, and then took his revenge by thrusting the severed head in front of Polydectes’s eyes.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, despite, must, otherwise, since, until, who.
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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 Into. Not. So.
2 Island. Shield. Stroke.
3 Covet. Do. Horrify.
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 Turn. 2 Leave. 3 Mirror. 4 Meet. 5 Eye. 6 Look. 7 Bring. 8 Man. 9 Still.
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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