A gray wolf in Memphis Zoo.
A gray wolf (canis lupus) in Memphis Zoo, Tennessee, USA. The photo was originally uploaded to flickr, where an experimental or ‘beta’ computer program attempted to assign appropriate categories to it. “Beta tags list ‘dog’,” noted the photographer, “which is fair, but also ‘sheep’, which is just ironic.” That luxuriant fleecy coat seems to have deceived the script.
Worksheet No. 7
These Worksheets are based on textbooks written by NL Clay (1905-1991) and used in English schools from the 1920s to the 1960s. They focus on vocabulary, sentence structure, and clear speaking. They are best studied in pairs or small groups, because that allows you to pool ideas and encourages you to speak; but you may of course share your sentences with me.
Composition
For each group of words, compose a single sentence that uses at least one of them. They are generated randomly from a list of very common English words.
I. Allow. Pattern. Oil.
II. Water. Window. Career.
III. Weapon. They. Key.
See more Spinners.
Vocabulary
Express each of the following in one word. Do not be satisfied with the first word you think of; try to suggest several, and choose the best.
IChoose someone to hold office. IILoop of thread joining two pieces of cloth. IIIPerson acting as replacement for another. IVReason given to lessen the blame for failure. VRemains of a fire. VIShape of an object when seen against the light. VIIWritten record of events.
Appoint. Ashes. Chronicle. Cinders. Diary. Elect. Excuse. Journal. Justification. Locum (tenens). Log. Nominate. Outline. Shadow. Silhouette. Stand-in. Stitch. Substitute. Understudy.
Try more puzzles like this one with In a Nutshell.
Prepositions
Show by means of sentences that all these verbs can be followed by a preposition, such as by, for or against.
IAverse. IICompete. IIIConnive. IVOblivious. VPrevail. VIReconciled. VIIWithdraw.
Some prepositions
Above. Against. At. Beside. By. For. From. In. Of. On. Over. To. With.
Jigsaw Sentences
Join each group of ideas together to form a single sentence. See if you can include one or more of the suggested words in each of your sentences.
i. The sun went down. He felt cold. He went in.
ii. The kidnappers demanded money. It was more than he had. Payment was expected at nine o’clock.
iii. He waited. The sentry walked away. He climbed over the fence.
Try to include one or more of these words:
Afford. Bide (one’s time). By. Chill. Deadline. Due. Evening. Force. Grow. Hand over. House. How. Move. Prospect. Raise. Ransom. Reluctant. Scale. Sight. Sum. Until. Way.
See more Jigsaw Sentences.
Narration
Turn these notes into a short passage of continuous prose.
Once upon a time... shepherd boy. Had to look out for wolves. Liked to cry out ‘Help, wolf!’ Farmers came running. Found it wasn’t true. Boy thought it funny. Farmers were angry. One day a wolf came. ‘Help, wolf!’ No farmers came. Wolf ate up the flock. And the moral of that is...
Elocution
Speak each group of words out aloud, making the difference in pronunciation clear.
IFlower, flier. IIFly, flow. IIIGather, gaffer. IVMay, mow. VSame, shame. VISmile, smell. VIIStill, steel. VIIITime, tame. IXWhile, well.
Read this short passage out aloud, clearly and without haste.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.
Robert Herrick (1591-1674), Hesperides, 208.
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