Introduction
George Frideric Handel was employed to write music for the court of George, Elector of Hanover in Germany. He preferred, however, to live in London and write music for Queen Anne.
IN 1712 George Frideric Handel, court composer to George, Elector of Hanover in Germany, visited London, with his employer’s warning that he expected him back ‘within a reasonable time’ ringing in his ears.
But Handel did not go back within a reasonable time. He remained in the capital, cheerfully writing matchless music for the court of Queen Anne. Prince George fired him.
If Handel thought he had got the better part of the bargain, he was forced to reconsider when, in 1714, Queen Anne died and was succeeded on the throne of Great Britain by none other than her second cousin George, Elector of Hanover.
Fortunately, a tactful friend secured a commission for Handel to write music for a royal water party on the Thames on the 17th of July, 1717.
It was a tremendous success, and not long after Handel was reemployed by the King, and retained as music master to their daughters by Queen Caroline.
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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 Great. Retain. Thought.
2 Force. Good. Ring.
3 Commission. He. Within.
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 Expect. 2 Write. 3 Visit. 4 Part. 5 Force. 6 Remain. 7 Cheer. 8 Fire. 9 Succeed.
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
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding dis-.
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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