Introduction
St Dwynwen was 5th century royalty from the County of Brecon in Wales, who by thinking of others rather than herself won the grace of interceding for star-crossed lovers. Her feast day is January 25.
DWYNWEN, daughter of Brychan, king of Brecon, fell in love with Maelon, a man of royal blood. Some say that Brychan had other plans for her, and forbade their marriage; others say that Maelon forced himself on her, and broke her heart. Dwynwen prayed to forget him.
One night, as she slept, an angel seemed to bring a drink to her, and to her lover. As she sipped, desire for Maelon left her; but as Maelon drank, it was as if he turned to ice.
The angel then asked Dwynwen to name three favours he might do for her.
Dwynwen asked straightaway that Maelon be restored to warmth and vigour; then, that lovers who sought her help would either find their desire, or be cured of it; and finally, that she should be the bride of Christ, and never regret her choice.
Then Dwynwen woke, and shortly after became a hermit on Llanddwyn Island, near Anglesey, where she reposed in peace in about 465.
Précis
Dwynwen was a 5th century Welsh princess, who was bitterly disappointed by her lover Maelon. In a dream, she saw her wish to forget him granted, but Maelon also punished. Dwynwen begged that Maelon be unharmed, and that her prayers would thereafter guide all star-crossed lovers. She awoke, and became a hermit on Llanddwyn island. (55 / 60 words)
Dwynwen was a 5th century Welsh princess, who was bitterly disappointed by her lover Maelon. In a dream, she saw her wish to forget him granted, but Maelon also punished. Dwynwen begged that Maelon be unharmed, and that her prayers would thereafter guide all star-crossed lovers. She awoke, and became a hermit on Llanddwyn island.
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, despite, must, otherwise, until, whereas.
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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. 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 Drink. Might. Near.
2 Bring. Left. One.
3 Become. Fall. Wake.
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 ()
