Introduction
The Anglo-Zanzibar War on the 27th of August 1896 is the shortest in British history, but to the people of Zanzibar it meant everything.
ZANZIBAR is an island territory off the east coast of Africa, now part of Tanzania.
Relations with Britain had been good ever since the island gained independence from the Sultanate of Oman in 1858. However, the British were keen to use their influence to eradicate slavery, and not every Zanzibari was happy with that.
On the 25th of August 1896, the Sultan of Zanzibar died suddenly, and his pro-slavery nephew, Khalid bin Bargash, took his place. The British demanded that he step down, but he refused, and two days later the first shots were fired in the Anglo-Zanzibar War.
Inside forty minutes, Khalid’s palace was in ruins, and the war was over. On the British side, just one sailor was injured. Nine hundred Zanzibaris fought for the British.
The upstart Sultan was exiled, and a few months later his replacement, Hamud bin Muhammed, abolished slavery in all its forms.
Précis
In 1896, the Sultan of Zanzibar, friendly to Britain, died in suspicious circumstances. His pro-slavery nephew took his place, and the British threatened war if he did not step down. When he refused, the British, supported by nine hundred Zanzibaris, drove him out of power in thirty-eight minutes - to this day, the shortest war in history. (56 / 60 words)
In 1896, the Sultan of Zanzibar, friendly to Britain, died in suspicious circumstances. His pro-slavery nephew took his place, and the British threatened war if he did not step down. When he refused, the British, supported by nine hundred Zanzibaris, drove him out of power in thirty-eight minutes - to this day, the shortest war in history.
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, because, besides, or, otherwise, ought, since, whether.
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 All. Influence. Off.
2 Exile. Slavery. Territory.
3 Happy. However. Since.
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.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Verb and Noun Find in Think and Speak
Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Ruin. 2 Form. 3 Demand. 4 Influence. 5 Fight. 6 Refuse. 7 Place. 8 Gain. 9 Map.
Variations: 1.if possible, use your noun in the plural, e.g. cat → cats. 2.use your verb in a past form, e.g. go → went. 3.use your noun in a sentence with one of these words: any, enough, fewer, less, no, some.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
hrd (7+1)
hard. hared. heard. herd. hired. hoard. horde.
hairdo.
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