Introduction
‘Dogma’ is merely a Greek word meaning ‘teaching,’ but the word has acquired a negative connotation, associated with narrow-mindedness and invincible ignorance. However, the jibe is often undeserved. A dogmatist is not the man who believes passionately that other people are dangerously wrong, and sets himself apart from them; as Edmond Holmes said, he is the man who sets himself over them.
THE dogmatist is one who says to another, “Such and such a thing seems good to me; therefore it must seem good to you; in other words, you must practise it. Such and such a thing seems true to me; therefore it must seem true to you; in other words, you must believe it. Such and such a thing seems beautiful to me; therefore it must seem beautiful to you; in other words, you must admire it. Such and such a thing seems desirable to me; therefore it must seem desirable to you; in other words, you must pursue it. Such and such a thing seems right to me; therefore it must seem right to you; in other words, you must do it.” Stated more briefly, the dogmatic attitude amounts to this: “My part is to lay down the law and issue orders and directions. Your part is to obey these and carry them out.”
Précis
Inspector of Schools Edmond Holmes defined a dogmatist in terms which laid stress not on the firmness of his belief, but on his determination to make others subscribe to it. He is the man whom others must unquestioningly obey in matters of truth, morality and artistic taste, a man who can judge but not be judged. (56 / 60 words)
Inspector of Schools Edmond Holmes defined a dogmatist in terms which laid stress not on the firmness of his belief, but on his determination to make others subscribe to it. He is the man whom others must unquestioningly obey in matters of truth, morality and artistic taste, a man who can judge but not be judged.
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: because, despite, just, or, otherwise, since, whereas, whether.
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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 I. Admire. Dogmatic.
2 Another. Desirable. Say.
3 Part. Seem. You.
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.)
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 Issue. 2 Lie. 3 State. 4 Order. 5 Part.
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.
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.
vrts (5+3)
averts. varieties. virtues. virtuosi. virtuoso.
overeats. verities. virtuous.
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