Introduction
The Revd Alexander Scott was the chaplain on Nelson’s ship, and was with him when the great Admiral died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. This is what he wrote about his friend.
LET the country mourn their hero; I grieve for the loss of the most fascinating companion I ever conversed with — the greatest and most simple of men — one of the nicest and most innocent — interesting beyond all, on shore, in public and even in private life.
Men are not always themselves and put on their behaviour with their clothes, but if you live with a man on board a ship for years; if you are continually with him in his cabin, your mind will soon find out how to appreciate him.
I could for ever tell you the qualities of this beloved man. I have not shed a tear for years before the 21st of October and since, whenever alone, I am quite like a child.
Précis
After Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, his navy chaplain, Alexander Scott, wrote about the man behind the national hero, testifying that Nelson was honest, approachable, and full of interesting conversation. Scott admitted that the memory of his friend moved him tears on every anniversary of the Trafalgar battle. (56 / 60 words)
After Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, his navy chaplain, Alexander Scott, wrote about the man behind the national hero, testifying that Nelson was honest, approachable, and full of interesting conversation. Scott admitted that the memory of his friend moved him tears on every anniversary of the Trafalgar battle.
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: although, because, besides, if, since, until, whereas, 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 Find. One. Their.
2 If. Nice. Public.
3 Companion. Hero. Ship.
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.)
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 Mind. 2 Interest. 3 Ship. 4 Let. 5 Board. 6 Appreciate. 7 Tear. 8 Man.
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
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.
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.
clls (5+3)
callous. calls. cellos. cells. culls.
callus. collies. colls.
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