Introduction
The following anecdote comes from a pamphlet entitled Popular Sketches of British Quadrupeds, published in 1815. Reflecting the gentler times of Georgian England, the authors looked not only at working animals but also at pets, and treated the reader to a tissue of heartwarming tales of their affection and intelligence.
IN October 1800, a young man going into a place of public entertainment at Paris, was told that his dog could not be permitted to enter, and he was accordingly left with the guard at the door. The young man had scarcely entered the lobby, when his watch was stolen. He returned to the guard, and begged that his dog might be admitted, as through his means, he might discover the thief: the dog was suffered to accompany his master, who intimated to the animal that he had lost something; the dog set out immediately in quest of the strayed article, and fastened on the thief, whose guilt on searching him was made apparent. The fellow had no less* than six watches in his pocket, which being laid before the dog, he distinguished his master’s, took it up by the string and bore it to him in safety.
* Strictly speaking, the author should have written ‘no fewer than’. ‘Less’ should be used for a reduced amount of one thing (e.g. less sugar), ‘fewer’ should be used for a reduced number of several things (fewer sugar cubes). Unless, of course, the author meant ‘no less [a scandal] than’, in which case he was right.
Questions for Critics
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Précis
In October 1800, a young man was robbed of his pocket watch shortly after entering a Paris theatre. He returned to the door, where he had been obliged to leave his dog, and put his pet on the thief’s scent. The dog not only identified the thief, but also selected his master’s watch from among six found on his person. (60 / 60 words)
In October 1800, a young man was robbed of his pocket watch shortly after entering a Paris theatre. He returned to the door, where he had been obliged to leave his dog, and put his pet on the thief’s scent. The dog not only identified the thief, but also selected his master’s watch from among six found on his person.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, just, otherwise, since, until, whereas, whether.
Archive
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. 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 Lobby. Search. Through.
2 Public. Set. Take.
3 Discover. Have. Out.
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.)
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Lesser. 2 Masterly. 3 Intimate. 4 Guarded. 5 Boring. 6 Young. 7 Public. 8 Mean. 9 Guiltless.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
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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