Introduction
Astronomer Thomas Wright approached his subject not only with passion but also with reverence. In a preface to his collection of nine ‘Letters’, in which he discussed fifteen years of observations, he told his unnamed correspondent that in common with many heroes of science and literature, he had found his religious belief deepened by studying the stars.
I REMEMBER you have often told me, that to apply ourselves to the Study of Nature, was the surest and readiest Way to come at any tolerable Knowledge of ourselves, however difficult the Task might prove either in the Attempt, or the attaining it, and the less to be neglected, as it never fails to introduce a proper Knowledge of the Divine Being, as a certain Consequence along with it, and such a Knowledge, as will naturally make every Man, who has but a tolerable Share of common Sense, and is not a Slave to another’s Reason, without any other Evidence or Motive, in all Stations, and under all Circumstances, Act justly, Live cheerfully, and die full of Hope in the Expectation of a happy Sequel, in Futurity.
Eternity is written in the Skies:
Mankind’s Eternity, nor Faith alone;
Virtue grows there.*
* Adapted from The Complaint: or Night-thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality (1742) by Edward Young (1683-1765):
Eternity is written in the skies.
And whose eternity? — Lorenzo! thine;
Mankind's eternity. Nor faith alone,
Virtue grows here; here springs the sovereign cure
Of almost every vice, but chiefly thine.
Wrath, pride, ambition, and impure desire.
Précis
Astronomer Thomas Wright thanked a correspondent for having encouraged him to think that astronomy develops not only self-knwledge, but a knowledge of God. Provided that we resolve always to think for ourselves, he wrote, the encounter with the vastness of eternity not only strengthens belief, it nurtures a sense of perspective that is morally improving too. (56 / 60 words)
Astronomer Thomas Wright thanked a correspondent for having encouraged him to think that astronomy develops not only self-knwledge, but a knowledge of God. Provided that we resolve always to think for ourselves, he wrote, the encounter with the vastness of eternity not only strengthens belief, it nurtures a sense of perspective that is morally improving too.
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, despite, if, just, may, must, ought.
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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 Either. Fail. Often.
2 Knowledge. Make. Sure.
3 Full. Might. Other.
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 Ready. 2 Hopeless. 3 Natural. 4 Full. 5 Least. 6 Happy. 7 Sure. 8 Neglectful. 9 Certain.
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).
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 Task. 2 Apply. 3 Hope. 4 Attempt. 5 Station. 6 Introduce. 7 Study. 8 Remember. 9 Make.
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
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?
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