Introduction
Edmund Burke remains one of the most significant statesmen in British history, who spoke up for the American colonists and the people of India as well as the English working man. Around the time of his marriage to Jane Mary Nugent in 1757, Burke also shared with us some thoughts on his ‘Idea of a Woman’.
SHE has a face that just raises your attention at first sight; it grows on you every moment, and you wonder it did no more than raise your attention at first.
Her eyes have a mild light, but they awe you when she pleases; they command, like a good man out of office, not by authority, but by virtue.
Her stature is not tall. She is not made to be the admiration of every body, but the happiness of one.
She has all the firmness that does not exclude delicacy: she has all the softness that does not imply weakness.
Her smiles are inexpressible.
Her voice is a low, soft music, not formed to rule in public assemblies, but to charm those who can distinguish a company from a crowd. It has this advantage — you must come close to her to hear it.
No person of so few years can know the world better; no person was ever less corrupted by that knowledge.
Abridged
Précis
Prominent Georgian statesman Edmund Burke described his ‘idea of a woman’ in terms of a young lady who is not a striking beauty or the kind of conversationalist to hold a room, but a quietly spoken, intelligent woman of discerning character whose personal charm and magnetism are felt more strongly at each meeting. (53 / 60 words)
Prominent Georgian statesman Edmund Burke described his ‘idea of a woman’ in terms of a young lady who is not a striking beauty or the kind of conversationalist to hold a room, but a quietly spoken, intelligent woman of discerning character whose personal charm and magnetism are felt more strongly at each meeting.
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: about, although, besides, must, otherwise, ought, unless, whereas.
Archive
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.
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 Awe. Charm. Form.
2 Advantage. Corrupt. Rule.
3 Better. Tall. Voice.
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.)
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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