Minis
Mini Copy Book

Each post in this section is a short précis (summary) of a passage in The Copy Book. All of them are in modern English. They are intended for students of English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Level.

The United States of America

The Pig-and-Potato War

In 1859, peaceful co-existence on the Canadian border was severely tested by a marauding pig.

Length: 56 words

Discovery and Invention

The Iron Horse and the Iron Cow

Railways not only brought fresh, healthy food to the urban poor, they improved the conditions of working animals.

Length: 55 words

Stories in Short

Jane Eyre

Her enemies made Jane stronger, but her lover struck a blow from which she might never recover.

Length: 106 words

Sport and Sportsmen

West Auckland, European Champions

A team of amateurs gave Europe’s finest a drubbing.

Length: 52 words

Lives of the Saints

Macarius and the Hyena

A monk of the Egyptian desert helped a desperate mother, and was richly rewarded.

Length: 51 words

Stories in Short

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Macbeth becomes wound in spells, and finds that one murder leads to another.

Length: 105 words