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National Library Bibliotheque nationale
of Canada du Canada

EXERCISES* IN COMPOSITION

-^4 '/.~y^Tv-y —

KOU

FOURTH AND FIFTH CLASSES.

G. E. HENDERSON

Editor of *' The Canadian Teacher."

CHAS. G. ERASER

Assistant Master^ Gladstone Ave. School, Toronto.

AND

GEO. A. ERASER

Principal oj Public School^ ^lawkesville.

F»RICK. 16 CENTS

TORONTO :

THE EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING CO.

1898.

.v..:t

.\ '"

Entered according to Act of the Parliament o" Canada, in the year one
thousand eight hundrer! suid ninety-eight, by G. E. Henderson, Chas. G.
Fkaser, and Gko. A. Fkaser, at the Department of' Agriculture.

'"f

PREFACE

To THE Boys and Girls:—

If you would excel in Composition you must practice.
Excellence comes only b/ careful, honest effort. From
the beginning, remember that "Trifles make perfection,
and perfection is no trifle." Do each exercise as if it
were to be handed down the ages ; and let each sentence
praise the little Composition "Apprentice" who aspires
to be a " Master'' in the art. Criticize your own work
mercilessly. Never be satisfied with "good enough."
K^ep correctness, usefulness and beauty in view. Be
thorough. Do not be afraid of the effort it will cost to
b'jcome well informed on any subject. The result will
be, not only excellent compositions, but also a thorough-
ness of character which will be shown in every under-
taking of your life.

These general ideas we supplement with the following
definite rules : — ' .

Let your work be neatness itself. . '

Form each letter with the greatest care.

Watch carefully the spelling of e^ach word.

Choose words that will express tnil^dea correctly.

At first, make short sentences.

Let each sentence contain one idea definitely ex-
pressed.

7. Express the idea grammatically.

8. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

9. End each sentence with a period.

10. Use the interrogation mark (?), the exclamation
mark (!), and the quotation marks (" — ") correctly.

.3-

5-
6.

r*' *

11. Do not use such words as "and," **but," "so,"
'*then," too often.

12, Learn to use the comma (,) properly.

PREFACE.

In writing a composition we suggest the following ?.s a
guide : —

1. Secure information on the subject.

2. Decide on the points you shall discuss.

3. Select the statements you wish to make on each

point.

4. Arrange these statements logically. This will form

a paragraph ; the paragraphs will form the com-
position.

5. Criticize your work — the correctness of the state-

ments — the choice of words, striking out those
that are faulty and substituting others— the spell-
ing—the arrangement of the words in the sen-
tences — the grammar -the arrangement of the
thoughts in the paragraph. This is the mechan-
ical part and it is absolutely necessary. Here
the eye tests.

6. Then let the ear test. Read your composition

aloud, and see that the arrangement of the
sounds is agreeable. Allow nothing harsh to
pass.

7. If possible lay the composition aside. Then criticize

again and copy your work neatly, putting the title
at the centre of the top, and doubly underlining it,
leaving a margin, and writing your name in the
upper right-hand corner of the page. It will
then be ready to be presented to the public.

.„', ■*•'

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise i.

I, Correct the errors and give reasons : —

1. John adams was President of the united states.

2. I am going by the new york central Railway.

3. Lake erie is north of the state of ohio.

4. March, april and may are Spring months.

5. The bay of biscay is west of france.

1. Pekin is the capital of the empire of china.

2. easter Sunday comes in april next year.

3. James alien lives in new Orleans.

4. what does John think of robert's Success ?

5. Have you read the globe to-day ?

6. it was a summer evening,

old Casper's work was done,
and he before his cottage door

was sitting in the sun,
and by him sported on the green

his little grandchild wilhelmine.

2, Explain the abbreviations in the following :-^.

1. Jas. Brown, M.A., left on the 22nd inst.

2. Address Chas. Ross Esq., Ottawa, Ont.

3. He bought i doz. eggs and 3 lbs. butter. ' {

4. The G.T.R. Express is due at 8 o'clock p.m.

5. Messrs Brown Bros., Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.A.

6. TheC.P.R. train arrives in St. Thomas at 5.3oa.mi

7. The MSS. consist of 8pp., each 24 II.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION,

Exercise a.

/. Change to the plural: —

1. My mother gave me that picture.

2. The boy and the girl rode in a carriage. ;

3. Mr. Brown and his son visited me.

4. The master wrote 2, 3 and 8 on the board.

5. She sees the stars shining through the chinks.

2. Change to the singular: —

1. Days pass quickly away.

2. Lions and tigers eat men. ' •

3. Mice ran up and down the halls. • ..

4. They bought apples and potatoes.

5. We caught geese and ducks in the trap. .

6. You must watch the gaps for two days.

J. Change the number of each noun and pronoun
and make any other changes necessary : — : , .

1. The girl gave her father and mother a present.

2. We came past the trees to the road.

3. His knife and fife fell on the roof below.

4. He loves his brother and his sister.

5. The general and his aide-de-camp have come.

6. The Englishman and the Norman talked together.

4, Change to the plural: — • .,

1. The girl's hat was torn by the wolf.

2. The lass's dress is made of tartan.

3. The lady's hat was spoiled by a shower.

4. The thief stole the farmer's ox.

5. I walked a mile to my brother's farm.

6. The teacher corrects the boy's exercise. ^

5. Change to the singular : — ' ' * " "

1. It took days to do the two men's work.

2. Nicks were cut in the boys' knives.

3. The rainbows' colors are always the same.

4. The women's parcels are carried by boys.

5. The princes* yacht won the prize. ,i(

6. James' hats and coats are on the floor.

/•■•

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

I ■

Exercise 3.

/. Change to the masculine gender : —

1. The ewe lamb was killed by the tigress.

2. The Princess of Wales visited the Queen of
Denmark.

3. Lady Macdonald visited the Duchess of York.

4. The Czarina is a granddaughter of the Queen.

5. The Countess of Aberdeen is a noble woman.

2. Change to the feminine gender : —

1. " I am killed, sire," the boy replied.

2. The king and his noblemen ate thereof.

3. The child is father of the man.

4. The abbott and the monk know the priest. •

5. The emperor was the arbiter of Europe.

6. Father welcomed our two nephews to-day.

J. Change to words of opposite gender : —

1. He saw the queen and the prince to-day.

2. The drake and the goose seized the bread.

3. The king's niece lives with the duchess.

4. The count visited his brother, the abbott.

5. The widower has two lovely daughters.

6. She gave her mother his cap.

4. Change the Norman to the Saxon possessive : —

1 . The soldiers of Napoleon won many battles.

2. The armies of Rome conquered Gaul.

3. The sting of the bee is very painful.

4. The song of the reaper is heard in the land.

5. The mother of the boy keeps him neat and clean.

6. The tail of the rat was caught in the trap.

J". Change the Saxon possessive to the Norman : —

1 . The king's army was completely defeated.

2. The men's work was spoiled in one night.

3. The mouse's mother kept away from the trap.

4. The tree's leaves covered the ground.

5. The ass's burden fell off his back.

6. The sheep's wool was spun into yam.

■■

tXERClSES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 4.

Use these words in the Subject Nominative ,••«.
man dog mice deer

child cat cows sheep

Use these words as Predicate Nominatives : —
hoop apple kite house

parlor girl robin plate

3, Use these words as Appositive Nominatives : —

baker teacher Canadian hero
lawyer doctor American heroine

4. Use these words in the Nominative of Address :■

Charles master queen sir

Robert judge father Paul

jf. I'se these words as direct objects of verbs : —
wall fruit cradle donkey

tree milk river birds

6. Use these words as indirect objects of verbs : —
me mother horse friend

you father man London

/. Use these words as objects of prepositions ;—
head cheek finger arm

eyes heel thumb neck

8, Distinguish these plural nouns: —

Pence and pennies Dies and dice

Cloths and clothes Sail and sails

Brothers ancl brethren Peas and pease.

g. Fill the blanks with the proper words : —

We heard the .... of the wagon, the

of the thunder and the

train of cars, the . .
the rain.
2. We heard the .... of the mower, the

lark, tiie of the children playing, the

clock and the of the school bell.

of the
... of

of the
of the

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 5

Write appropriate adjectives in these blanks :~
v^'ater .... stones .... fruit

snow
clouds
lumber
residence

. . eagle
• . glass
. . apple
. . description

2. Give the words meanino the opposite of:~

'^^ ^ few straight finite

much' late fewer complete

3. Use these words in a statement :

brave honest happy loose

^'"d old feathery neat

4. Use each of these words in a statement:

two seven twice tenth

tnree nme thrice twenty-first

S' Use these words in describing something :—
singing running crying walking

shmmg burnmg laughing talking

6. loin appropriate adjectives to : —
a watch a lamb a dress
a cane a dog a suit

7. What adjective corresponds to :

America France England

story •
woman
man
picture

a river
an ocean

Canada

>pain Turkey

Asia
Europe

8. Use these adjectives in the comparative degree ;—
wise much first b-vfiful

old many last lovely

p. Use these adjectives in the superlative degree /—
tall farther round handsome

kind nearer straight happier

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

■4,

Exercise 6.

Add " v" to each of the following words.
Then form a sentence containing the neiv word.
ram wood water star wool

glass dirt cotton sugar whole

Supply " rt " or ^^ an'^ in the blanks : —
J editor wrote .... account of the struggle ....

United Empire Loyalist had on .... rough bush farm in

.... Province of Canada.

2 European brought .... useful article.

3 hostler took .... ass to .... ox's stall.

4. . . hotel-keeper welcomed . . young man to the bar.

5. . . heiress gave . . apple to . . boy with . . old coat.

Harvest Time.

J. Add an adjective to each of the nouns in italics ; —
The grain waves. The air stirs. The sickle rattles
in the field. The thrush sings in the tree and the quail
whistles to his mate. Horses draw the reaper and the
gratn falls before it. The thunder rumbles. Now the
whip cracks and the bundles fall rapidly to the ground.
The harvesters gather the tightly bound bundles and
place them in thocks till the sun sinks. Soon the bins
will be full. Cares will cease, songs will resound, and the
men will rest.

Tlie Cricket and the Butterfly.

Substitute nouns for the pronouns in italics.

A little cricket sat in the grass. She saw a beautiful
butterfly flit about from flower to flower. She envied hinty
ior he had a beautiful color. "Ah," sighed .f^^, "why
am I not as beautiful as he?"

Many children came across the meadow. They espied
the summer birdling. " Oh," cried /^^j/, " see the beauti-
ful butterfly." They ran with hat and apron after him.
He tried to escape, but one child caught him. But the
child was careless. He broke off one of his wings.
Then he crushed in his little head. The cricket had
seen it all. " Ah," said she^ " how good it is that I Hve
in concealment." .

,,t

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 7.
The Qlowworm.

" Of what use is my light or who sees it down here
in the grasses?" sighed tie glow worm. "If I could
shine up there in the sky now like that beautiful moon
or the stars, or even if I could fly about in the air as the
fireflies do, I might brighten the world a little, but what
good can I do here ?

" I will curl myself up here and sleep and nobody will
miss me."

So the glowworm lay in his bed two whole nights and
days.

*'Heigho!' he sighed at the end of the second day,
" I am tired of this. I believe I wi I light my lamp
to-night and go out once more for a stroll."

"Oh, here you are," cried the cricket. "I missed
your light last night, didn't enjoy my practising half as
much as usual."

*' Glad to see you !" cried the daisies and grasses.
" The fireflies flit over our heads, but no one but yourself
thinks of lighting our feet. Where have you been ?"

*'Oh, we are so glad that you have come! "cried
a voice, and the Canada lilies rang a merry chime
to welcome him. " We are so glad you have come.
We know the stars are overhead and the fireflies flitting
about above us, but we cannot see them, for we cannot
lift up our heads, our necks are so slender. So you see
we always watch for your cheery light down in the
grass. You light up our faces, too, and make them
almost as beautiful as the daylight does"; and all the
lily bells pealed another chime, gay enough for a fairy
weddmg.

" Well, well !" thought the glowworm, " I will let my
light shine after this ; there is something for every one
to do."

1. Change to the plural.

2. Supply nouns jor the pronouns, .

J. Change to the feminine gender. • .•'•

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 8.

A Fairy Tale.

A young" peasant once sat by the side of a wood. He
was hungry, and prayed the gods to give him just a morsel
of food.

Suddenly a dwarf came forth out of the wood, an 'I
told him his prayer was answered. Taking a pouch
from his side, and giving it to the peasant, he said :
** You will always find in this pouch something to satisfy
hunger and thirst ; but you must nev r consume it al!,
and you must always share your food and drink with
those who ask you."

The dwarf then vanished ; and the peasant found,
to his delight, new bread and chees.% besides delicate
viands and delicious beverages. He ate heartily and
noticed that the pouch immediately filled up again.

He now felt sure of food, and from this time lived an
idle, shiftless life. One day, as he wa gorging himself,
a feeble old man tottered up to him and prayed for a
morsel, as he himself had done in the past. But he
refused in a brutal, churlish tone. Immediately the
bread and cheese broke and scattered at his feet, and
pouch and all vanished.

1. Change to the first person singular^

2, Change to the first pef*son plural,
J, Change to the present tense.

Dally Tasks.

" Over and over again, ;

No matter which way I turn,
I always find in the book of life

Some lesson that I must learn ;
I must take my turn at the mill,

I must grind out the golden grain, '
I must work out my task with a resolute will

Over and over again." — Anon. , ;, .,7

Change to the plural ; the second person ; the past tense.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 9.

1. Use these adjectives attributively : —
old merry courteous talented
good much polite vocal

Then change the degrees of the adjectives,

2. Use these adjectives predicatively : —
good sweet horizoi. al wel ome
kind bright perpendicular dilij.ent
wise happy generous affa )le
warm sunny affectionate britile

J. Change the gender of the pronouns : —

1. He caught his hand in a wheel.

2. She knitted the stocking for her mother.

3. She washed his face in the spring.

4. His sleigh carried her over his rink.

5. I quickly caught her hand in mine.

4. Change the number of the pronouns : —

1. I know my lessons as well as they.

2. We caught his dog eatmg our meat.

3. They broke his saw while cutting our wood.

4. This cost them many hours of their time.

5. She knows it is my hat.

6. They bought that hat for you and me.

The Birds.

The birds have a glorious time. They fly, and hop,
and skip. They sing till field and wood resound. They
are well and free from care, and they always find some-
thing good to eat. Wherever they fly the table is set.
When the day's work is ended they settle in the trees.
They softly rest through the night and have beautiful
dreams. When the early morning light breaks, they
mount upon their wings and fly forth into the world to
sing their joyous songs.

1, Change this extract to the singular number,

2. Change this extract to the first person,
J. Then change to the singular.

\ . -.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

8'!

Exercise lO.

1. Write these ivords in Declarative sentences : —

love justice bitterness peace

cold virtue diligence pride

Change each sentence to the opposite.

2. Use these words in Interromtive sentences : —

desk clock date pointer

bell time chalk student

Answer each question properly.

J. Use these words in Imperative sentences : —

walk drink shut run

creep read write stand

4. Use these ivords in Exclamatory sentences : —

burns barks hurrah I flies

roared growled alas ! flew

5. Usetheseas (/) transitive^ {2) intransitive^verbs : —

fell wrote read shot

burn learn smoke thresh

6. Use these (i) in the active^ (2) in the passive^ voice: —

sold raise shovel combine

sung bay effect idled

/. Make statements using these words to denote
possession : —

father scholar masters children

teacher visitor trustees oxen

king friend generals men

8. Make questions using these words in the po:.-
sessive case : —

mother Agnes tomatoes women

sister Robert potatoes ladies

princess Alice knives baby

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise ii.

I. Select (i) the subject ; (2) the object ;—

1. The soldiers fight battles.

2. The dog bit the rabbit.

3. The boy won a prize.

4. Tom broke a window,

5. Fred loves his sister.

6. The policeman caught the man.

Add words to describe bjtii subject and objects

2 Change the verbs to the passive voice ;—

1. The dog bit the boy.

2. The man finished the work.

3. The maid milks the cow.

4. The woman mends the dress.

5. The boy learns the lesson.

6. The teacher teaches the pupil.

J. Change the verbs to the active voice : —

1. The latch ^ i a gate was broken by a boy.

2. The gate was blown open by the wind.

3. A cow strayed from the field.

4. The cow was run over by a train.

5. The train was overturned by the cow.

6. -A little child was killed by the accident.

7. So a little child was killed by that mischievous boy.

4. The folloiving are concise statements of stories in
the School Readers, Enlarge the subject and the
predicate so as to include the chief ideas of the story.
Then transpose in as many ways as possible: —

Fourth Reader.

1. " The Little Midshipman " — A midshipman escapes.

2. *' Battle of Hastings " — Harold was killed.

3. " Battle of Bannockburn '' — JrucedefeatedEdward.

4. "The Death of Little Nell "— Nell died.

5. ** Discovery or America' — Columbus discovered.

6. '* The Black Prince at Crecy" Edward fought bravely

7. " A Christmas Carol " — Scrooge was cJianged,

> ,

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise la.
\ Day on the Farm.

The long night passes. The day dawns and breaks.
The sun rises from behind the hills, and the golden sun-
beams call to work. Willie, the farmer's boy, awakes,
and, rising from his comfortable bed, dresses himself and
goes out to meet the duties of the day. With hi-: dog,
he scampers along the lane to the meadow where the
cows are grazing, or standing waiting fv^r them at the
bars. He puts down the bars and calls the cows by
name. How Collie barks as he drives the cows along !
He does not bite them. He merely wants to show how
glad he is to take them home, and how willing he is to do
his duty.

At the end of the lane the maids are waiting with their
pails ; and soon the music of the milk upon the pails is
heard. Then the milk becomes deep enough to cover
the tin, and the music ceases. Merrily the work goes
on, and, milking c one, the pails of warm, foamy milk are
carried to the dairy, where the milk is strained and the
cans are placed into the clear, cool water, and the golden
cream begins to rise.

The dairy is closed, and all have a good wash before
going in to breakfast. How hearty each one is ! The
morning air has given a good appetite, and mother's
meals always satisfy. The fried potatoes, the ham and
eggs, the light, well-baked bread and sweet butter, and
the warm coffee and cream receive ample attention, and
then all go out to continue the duties of the day. Father
takes the horses to the field to drive the mower. Mother
and the girls wash the dishes, make the beds and clear
up the rooms. The men finish the chores, and harness
the horses, ready to haul in the hay, while Willie and
Collie drive the cows to the pasture again, and hurry
back to go with the waggon to draw in the hay.

What fun it is to draw in hay ! Will stands on the
hay-rack and builds the load as the men lift up great
forks of hay. As layer after layer of hay is placed on the

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

load, he binds it fast. At last the load starts for the
barn, where the great hay-fork, which has been fastened
to the roof of the barn, lifts half a ton at a time and
throws it into the mow where it is stored for the winter.
At last the girls ring the dinner-bell, and men and
horses as well as Will, welcome its merry sound. Again
their appetites «re satisfied, and the afternoon's work
begins. The loads continue to pass into the barn, while
the sun pursues his course across the clear blue sky,
and, when he sinks to rest behind the western woods,
the twinkling stars peep down upon a farmer's family,
tired in body but happy in heart.

jf ell this story : —

(i) in the past tense ; (j) in the present perfect tense.

(2 ) in the future tense ; (4) in the past perfect tense.

Exercise 13.
Morning.

The rising sun proclaimed the day, and the sunbeams
which peeped through the curtain roused Mary from a
good night's rest. Father had already lit the fire, and
the water in the kettle was boiling, so she arose at once,
arranged her clothes and put them on. When her hands
and face were washed and her hair was combed, she
quickly came down to prepare breakfast. The coffee was
made, the dishes were placed upon the table and the
victuals were brought out. Then she set the chairs and
called the family to breakfast. How pleasantly they met
to say good morning to each other, and form a happy
circle round the table ! Father said grace, and each set
to work ; and while the appetites were being satisfied,
the duties of the day were discussed. Breakfast finished,
they rose from the table and each started for his own
work. • i

Re write this para^^raph^ changing the voice of the
verbs, - ..... . - .. . . -. *

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 14.

Change the construction of these setttences by: —

/. Changing the voice of the verbs.

2. Interchanging Nortfian and Saxon possessive.

J. Interchangifig direct and indirect narrative.

4. Interchanging wofdsy phrases^ and clauses,

5. Using synonyms for words or ph^uses.

6. Expressing the idea in another ivay.

1. " Well, you are a queer fish," she said.

2. The bear said he was not afraid of a bird.

3. The shanty is covered with boughs.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Brown's home is in Ottawa.

5. Thou animated torrid zone.

6. All men are mortal.

7. Evil communications corrupt good manners.

8. The man caught the weasel in a trap.

9. I asked her where she was going.

10. " I should like to see the nest,*' said the bear.

1 1. The wolf told the bear he had better be careful.

12. It was not so much the lateness of the hour as
the solitude and desolation of the place that terrified me.

13. In front of it, two enormous logs are roiled closely
together and a fire is built between them.

14. No English soldier pulled a trigger ; with match-
less endurance they sustained the trial.

15. Your friendships determine your character.

16. Jack said it was only an axe they had heard.

17. The secret of eminence is love.

18. John is wiser than Thomas.

19. Arthur began his ablutions at once.

20. Sleep deserted his pillow.

21. James, not being ready, cannot go.

22. The year Napoleon was born was also tne year
of Wellington's birth.

23. The old verger put the lights out.

24. The Duke of York's yacht entered port.

25. The boys' and girls' les ons are long. ,;

'if .

■4t

.Hi

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exftrcise i5.

1. Change to the opposite as many word^ as you
can : —

1. He is a rich man.

2. She bought a new dress,

3. I do not like cold soup. '

4. Me is late this morning.

5. The girl lost the boy's sister.

6. He is a drunken man.

2, Account for these capital letters : —

1. The man caught a fish.

2. My son is called Charlie.

3. He ;^nd I are going to Toronto.

4. O Caesar 1 Great is thy fame !

5. Willie has read " Uncle Tom's Cabin."

6. Scott wrote " The Lady of the Lake."

7. Shakespeare said, "Brevity is the soul of wit."

8. The Prince of Wales is a son of the Queen of
England.

9. Thou, God, seest me, and Thou art Love.
10. How doth the little busy bee

Improve each shining hour ;
And gather honey all the day,
From every opening flower.

J. Change each 7Vord to a phrase : —

daily plentiful fashionable

yearly hopeful agreeable

seaward cloudless backward

homeward lifeless monthly

childless beggarly rapidly

Use each phrase in a sentence.

penniless

graceful

appear

semi-weekly

bi-weekly

4, Give one word for each
Having no money.
With kind ways.
Every three months.
Looking like death.
Without knowledge.
To bear patiently.

of the following phrases .
In the style.
Towards the front.
Every year.
Every twelve months.
To think over.
One liked by all.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise i6.

J. Choose the appropriate word : —

4.
5-

He was angry (at, with) his father.

There were six of us (beside, besides) those absent.

The basket is made (of, from; wire.

He careful (of, with) your books.

Strive to be reconciled (to, with) vour enemy.

Write sentences to show the preposition which

should follow : —

absent

boast

exclude

quarrel

address

blush

grateful

reflect

arrive

change

long

unite

approve

compare

need

wait

banish

differ

opposite

worthy

J. Use these prepositions in sentences to show the
relation between ** boy " and some other word: —
in at behind under from

on by amongst above across

4. Write sentences to show the difference between : —

1. divide between

2. overcome by

3. familiar with

4. live in

5. agree with

6. angry with

7. ask of

8. careful of

divide among
overcome with
familiar to
live at
agree to
angry at
ask after
careful in

5. Write sentences using these phrases (/) as adjec-
tives ; (2) as adverbs : —

on the fence
among the trees
behind the sofa
beside the house
at the store
around this school
by the fence

in the cellar
along the road
above the picture
under the stove
beneath the barn
near the town
to Berlii\

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 17.

/. Divide these into smaller sentences : — »

1. The poor old blind man fell on the ice.

2. The tDoy >vas tall, strong and polite. •

3. The teacher is energetic, kind and patient.

4. My mother was washing, ironing and baking.

5. The rich and poor, the great and sm-^ll, must die.

6. The lazy and ignorant do not succeed.

2. Combine these sentences in as many ways as you
can : —

1. You will get the prize. You dest o it .

2. They spoke. We listened.

3. The dinner was ready. We all sat down.

4. The boy had been called. He came at once.

5. You are truthful. You will be believed.

J. Supply the ellipses : —

1. It is better to do that than to be idle.

2. I remember the day he arrived.

3. I shall not use it unless forced to do so.

4. I love thee more than life.

5. She is taller than I.

4. In sentences write the names of: —

1. Three men.

2. Three married women.

3. Three unmarried women.

4. Three ministers.

5. Three professors.

Three newspapers.
Three poems.
Three novels. *

Three doctors.
Three members of

parliament.
5. Compose three sentences showing the use of: —

in, into between, among

of, off less, fewer

this, that oldest, eldest

these, those farther, further

much, many who, which

good, wiU who, that,

teach, learn

taught, learned

full, fill

lie, lay

rise, raise -•

shall, wil\ , , ..

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise i8.

Combine into a simple^ a compound, a complex
sentence : —

1. The tiger is fierce. He is a blood-thirsty animal-
He lives in India. He lives in China. He lives in the
Indian islands. He roams about. He lives in the
jungles. These jungles are dense. He goes about
very silently.

2. Pussy has fur. The fur is pretty. The fur is soft.
She is gentle. She can purr. She has claws. The
claws are sh?***" The claws are short. She can scratch
hard.

3. The hunters went through the jungles. There
were many hunters. They were on elephants. They
sat on the backs of these animals. There is grass in the
jungles. It is long. The hunters were chasing the man-
eater. This is a fierce animal.

4. The girl had curls. They were long. They were
beautiful. They were of a brown color. The girl was
timid. She was a little girl. She sat under a tree.
She was in the shade. It was a maple tree. The tree
was tali. The girl was sleeping.

5. There are some boys. They are on the road.
There is a crowd of them. They are making a lot of
noise. They are going to fish. They wish to catch
truut. The fish are shining. They are also speckled.
The boys will go to the river. The river is broad.

6. Baker discovered a lake. He was a traveller.
He travelled in Africa. He was celebrated. He spent
many years in his efforts. They were weary years.
He made determined efforts. The lake was called
Albert Nyanza. It is one of the sources of the Nile.
This is a great river.

7. Th«re is a lodge. It is in ruins. It is seven
miles from the town. It was built by the Duke of Kent.
The Duke is now dead. He was the father of Victoria.
Victoria is our sovereign. The Duke was then Com-
mander-in-chief. He was over all the forges of the colony.

EXERCISES IN CdMPOSiTlON.

Exercise 19.

Divide the following words into
the accented syllable : —

1. woodman
blackbird
playmate
penknife
blackboard
shoelace

2. beginning
certainly
dignity
hearth
wrapped
passenger
terrible

3. merciful
bri liant
manufacture
quantities
dissolute
unfortunate

4. conquered
heareth
touched
chanced
buried
arrived
injured

5. condemned
permitted
merriment
vengeance
individuals
accompanied
volunteers

brooklet

homeward •

pitching

troublesome

freedom

youthful

Providence

resembles

retraced

induced

nestled

carrying

pitcher

unconscious

draughts

captivity

successfully

glistening

dazzles

favorable

travelling

easily

suggested

generously

threatened

vegetable

dimensions

especially

luxuriant

acknowledged

triumphantly

agriculture

composition

syllables and mark

bosom

blossom

express

enlarge

manage

Saxon

engineer

judgment

assistance

carriage

distances

numbered

business

defeated
evenly

contentment
exacting
enlighten
elephant

severely

thieving

foreign

corpse

puzzled

pitying

existence

responsible

confident

coquetry

menageries

variegated

principle

alcohol

* *

■I t
■; i

34 EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise ao.

I. Give words related in meaning to : —
Show the difference in their meanings.
Construct sentences^ using them correctly.

Model.— Divide f division, dividend, individual

I. amiable
annual

century
certain

export
esteem

auditor

captain

educate

appear
barbarous

complete
diameter

equator
frigid

bigamy

dialogue

fence

2. gravity
general
heritage
humanity

knowledge
letter
luminary
morality

orator
purity
peace
question

justice
inflection

majority
noble

quarter
regent

2. Show by the derivation the meaning c * / —
Make a list of other words from same root.
Show by sentences the difference in meaning.

I. advocate

confirm

finish

accident

direct

factory

aqueduct

dignity

fortune

alter

flourish

denominator

brief

delusion

geography

clear

exceed

hospital

2. imbibe

position

urban

legalize

polygon

virtue

memory

pardon

valiant

maniac

session

vegetable

monarch

similar

vinegar

province

solution

village

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise ai.

1. Show the difference in meaning between : —

ail, ale forth, fourth martin, marten

brews, bruise flew, flue pole, poll

b'ue, blew gall, Gaul pore, pour

cote, coat grown, groan root, route

clime, climb lone, loan sell, cell

doze, does lief, leaf use, ewes

Use each pair of words correctly in a sentence.

2. Write the words of similar sound to : —

ark

bell

broach

cord

ciaws

dew

fowler

furs

grater

gild

hide

jam

kill

lone

lea

maze,

new

nose

our

peak

plum

rood,

sink

sell

sum

Salter

throws

teem

wave

won

Use each pair of words correctly in a statement.

J. Give the homonyms (words of the same sound)
of:—

adds hart air road slight

birth just bare rain two

coarse knit cent raze use

dust links hew seer vane

faint mote meet slay write

glare nave pare sow you

Use each pair of words correctly in a question.

4 Show the meaning of these words by using them
correctly in sentences : —

bate, bait graze, grays

lessen, lesson
meter, metre
pleas, please .
peak, pique
quarts, quartz

bow, beau
chews, choose
claws, clause
day, dey
friar, fryer

rime, rhyme
rest, wrest
sweet, suite
sun, son
tear, tare
wane, wain

.».>>i^

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise aa.

I. Distinguish these pairs

Creator and creature
parent and child
landlord and tenant
winner and loser
wholesale and retail
host and guest

cause, effect
superior, inferior
plaintiff, defendant
principal, assistant
transparent, opaque
economy, extravagance
antiquity, novelty

of words : —

leader and follower '
teacher and pupil
creditor and debtor
lender and borrower
native and foreigner
external and internal

ancestor, descendant
physician, patient
ruler, subject
affirmative, negative
convex, concave
wealth, poverty
bravery, cowardice

2, Use these pairs of

counsel, council
mettle, metal
vial, viol
succor, sucker
profit, prophet
plaintiff, plaintive
bridal, bridle
calendar, calender
aloud, allowed

words properly in sentences

currants, currents
holy, wholly
symbol, cymbal
knotty, naughty
principal, principle
lesson, lessen
Britain, Briton
carrot, carat
altar, alter

Place the accent on the italicized words : —

1. If you redet you will be declared a redet.

2. You may discoun' the note if the discount is low.

3. In a minute he had taken only a minute part of
the gold.

4. What is your object when you object to his v jte ?

5. I give you a permit which will permit you to go
with the army.

i, i6« We never desert our friends in the desert.

. Tiies^ countries produce butter, eggs and other

$^<

9. I

EXEi^CISES IN COMPOSITION.

Synonyms.

I. Give as 7tiany synonyms as you can for : —

friendship

genial

protract

work

frugahty

fortunate

quicken

pure

food

industrious

teach

queer

fiction

mysterious

support '

jardon
lealthy

exercise

primeval

speak

2. Give as

many antonyms as you can for

• -

sagacious

satisfy

send

severe

righteousness

slander

declare

support

youthful

pretence

poetry

polite

pleasant

love

obscure

large

ill-natured

persuade

light

necessity

J. Give the

classical word

corresponding to

•
•

ask

breast

hearty

burgess

build

room

careful

fairness

forsake

ring

friendly

ease

ill-use

wont

nightly

enough

keep

flag

godly

truth

4^ Give the Saxon word corresponding to :■

human

matron

comprehend

martial

royal

captive

convey

ancient

novel

barbarian

repair

natal

sombre

vagrant

observe

adjacent

divine

vapor

premit

similar

5. Distinguish the following synonyms : —

alliance, league, union, partnership, federation,
appetite, thirst, longing, relish, desire, craving,
displace, mislay, remove, derange, misplace, confuse,
neat, trim, tidy, orderly, clean, nice, prim, spruce,
precedent, example, pattern, instance, antecedent,
sagacious, intelligent, shrewd, judicious, wise.

6. Account for the derivation of these words :—
cows and beef ; i P>gs and pork
sheep and mutton _ calves and veal

i^£isiaiBrgrs aj ? u

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 24.

IVkaf rules of syntax are violated in the following ? —

1. My left foot is the coldest.

2. I only ate one apple.

3. This is the dog who bit me.

4. Their's is far better than your's.

5. Who owns this here house?

6. They have chose a fine motto.

7. He has no less than five cents.

8. Two miles aren't much of a walk.

9. I wish you would walk slower.

10. Let every man look out for themselves.

11. Them books is not worth readin'.

12. Do not go any further than the bridge.

13. What do yous think of that book?

14. Let's you and I go to the concert.

15. He's a pretty fine sort of a fellow.

16. Who spoiled my pen ? It wasn't me.

17. Thou hath done all things well.

18. Little children should love each other.

19. He ain't going to Buffalo this week.

20. Divide this between the boys and girls of your class.

21. Every man and boy were put out of the room.

22. That was the amusingest story I ever heard.

23. One has to be careful when he throws stones.

24. John throwed the apple in the river.

25. I am quite sure I seen the man yesterday.

26. He refused to comply to my request.

27. Of the three I consider him the more suitable.

28. What is the distance between every telegraph pole :

29. John is a better reader than any boy in his class.

30. Are you going to the Teacher's Association ?

31. You scarcely said nothing all the time you was there.

32. Him and me and John was at the picnic.

33. The parents, not the boy, is to blame.

34. Are these your brother*s-in-law houses ?

35. I am mad at John for acting so silly.

''.^wmssm^^M

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Exercise 25.

1. Which words in each sentence are redundan
(unnecessary ) ? —

1. He stepped on to a chair.

2. We saw no one at aHr

3. Iron sinks dewn in the water.

4. T le balloon rose up very rapidly.

5. She ^s a poor widow wofftan.

6. Give me another -one-.

7. They returned back to the same place.

8. I do not wish for any at all.

9. Don't do it any more^i^fai«.

10. Where have you been 4a..'*

1 1. They both-met in the street.

12. I ate both the two of themr-

13. He continued to read.

14. Give me a yard off t)f that piece.

2. Rearrange to express the sense intended : —

1. A gentleman will adopt a little boy with a smal?
family.

2. They built a house for their clergyman with sever
gables. ^' '^^ '

3. We hav^ a room for a lodger twelve by sixteen.

4. A boy wanted who can open oysters with references.

5. Wanted, room for two gentlemen about thirty feef
long and twenty feet broad.

6. Wanted, an organist and a boy to blow the same.

7. Bulldog for sale ; will eat anything, very fond of
children.

8. Furnished apartments suitable for gentlemen with
folding doors.

9. Lost, near High Park, an umbrella belonging to a
gentleman with a bent rib and a bone handle.

10. For sale, a mail phaeton, the property of a gentle-
man with a movable headpiece as good as new.

11. Wanted, experienced nurse for bottled baby.

12. Wanted, by a respectable girl, her passage to New
York, willing to take care of children and a good sailor.

30 EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Punctuation.

1. The crow said the fox is not my friend.

2. The crow repHed the fox is a black bird.

3. The king sang the jester makes jokes too.

4. My heart cried the man. is as brave as the best,

5. It was and I said not or.

6. They that have have they that have not have not.

7. That that that that that modifies is a noun.

Did'nt Think.

(Arrange as Poetry.)

Once there was a robin Hved outside the door who
wanted to go inside and hop upon the floor oh no said
the mother you must stay with me Httle birds are safest
sitting in a tree I don't care said robin and gave his tail
a fling i don't think the old folk know quite everything
down he flew kit seized him before he'd time to blink
oh he cried i'm sorry but i didn't think.

Bitter Fruit.

This is very pleasant cried a young bear as he floated
down the river on a log he had found by the waters edge
what a mistake my mother made when she told me not
to go on it its the nicest time i ever had and so i shall
tell her when i get back and the log floated down the
river i wonder when it will go the other way cried the
little bear after a time as the current bore him farther
and farther from home im getting huiigry but the log
floated on i want to go back cried the little bear again
ive been quite far enough and im getting stiffand cramped
still the log floated on o dear cried the little bear i
wish id listened to my mother i believe she was right
after all and when i get home i think ill tell her so but
alas the poor little bear never had a chance of telling her
so for he never saw his mother or his home again he was
seen and captured by some fur traders and many a time
in his captivity did he mourn over the disobedience
that cost him his liberty mrs prosser

m \

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Sentence Exercises.

I. Ask what the following are made of : —

books houses watches fences

ships guns dishes roads

Answer your question^ properly,

2* Give different meanings for : —

last will like

can bear row

J. In one sentence make two statements about: —

3»

stake
plate

grass iron
milk gold

boys
girls

clouds
rain

4. Tell the uses of: —

music butter
mowers bread

mitts
gloves

scissors
scales

^, Write questions containing nouns forvied J ^om ,;— ♦

smaii long true just

poor frail high young

6. Write commands^ using these words in the f>os<ii-
sive case, both singular and plural : —

boy baby oxen ladies

girl day children sheep

7. Write a short composition telling the uses of: —

coal leather wheat

iron silk barley

8. Name four things made of: —

wood gold cotton

iron silver linen

Tell the uses of each thing.

g. What various materials are used in making : —
hats suits wine ships

engines

sugar
salt

steel
paper

shoes

dresses

fences

exercisb:s in composition.

Sentence Exercises.

I, IVhai to the emblem of :^^

Canada Scotland

United States England

Great Britain Ireland

France Russia

Germany
China
Japan
Newfoundland.

2. What is the title of the highest officer in :■

Great Britain
United States
Canada
Sweden
France

Spain

Germany

Italy

Russia

Mexico

Newfoundland
New Zealand
Denmark
Switzerland
Greece

China

Japan

Persia

Turkey

Ceylon

J. Fill the blanks properly : —

I is hard, smooth, yellow, opaque and fusible.

2. .... is light, soft, porous, brown, absorbent, and
compressible.

3 is a small, hard, pungent, aromatic, foreign,

vegetable.

4 is thin, white, smooth, pliable, and inflammable

Construct five similar descriptions.

4. Write out sentences stating the quality each of the
following must have : —

a son

a daughter
a sister
a brother
a friend

a servant
a workman
a lady

a gentleman
a foot-racer

a judge
a king
a doctor
a hero
a. preacher

J". What information will your senses s^ive you
regarding the following objects placed before you : —

a lump of sugar an apple

a lump of clay a peach

a sheet of paper a brick

a piece of coal a rubber ball

a piece of glass an ^^g

^ piece of wood 9- picture

fM^^brm

kXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Transposition.

Transpose — change the order of the words — in as
many ways as you can.

Tell a story suggested by each of the statements.

1. It is not safe to stand beneath tall trees during a
thunderstorm, for they are often struck by lightning.

2. Bears and wolves were still found in the forests of
Germany three hundred years ago.

3. In a crack near the cupboard with dainties provided

A certain young mouse with her mother resided.

4. Early in the morning, while the dew is on the grass,
the farmer's lad is roused from his pleasant sleep, to go
to the meadow to fetch the cows.

5. In the morning, a sailor was seen sitting by a grave
•n a cemetery in Boston.

6. We buried him darkly at dead of night,
The sods with our bayonets turning.
By the struggling moonbeam's misty light
And the lantern dimly burning.

7. As he was walking round the island, early in the
morning, Robinson Crusoe, filled with terror, discovered
a large, freshly-made footprint in the sand.

8. Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight,

And all the air a solemn stillness holds.

9. In the great marsh, far beyond any building, lies the
pond, gleaming like a silver shield in the midst of wood
and field.

10. Poor robin sits and sings alone
When showers of driving sleet
By the cold winds of winter blown
The cottage casement beat. — Bowles.

II. Fixed in a white thorn bush, its summer guest.
So low, e'en grass o'er-topped its tallest twig,
A sedge-bi»-d built its litttle benty nest.

Close by the meadow pool and wooden brig.

34 EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Combining Sentences.

Combine each group into a sitnple se?ttence : —

1. A wild shriek broke from the crowd. Tlicy were
watching anxiously. They were on a iiigh bluff. The
bluff was near by. This happened at the same moment.

2. There were some old men. They were in a
company. They were venerable men. They wore
white garments. They had white beards. Their beards
were long. They appeared in the room.

3. Two boys tried to throw a train off. They lived
at London. One was nine years old. The other was
ten years old. The train was on the track. They nearly
succeeded in their plan. This happened the other
day.

4. A public convention was held in London. It was
held the other day. One of the delegates saw* a man.
He supposed him to be a friend. He hurried up to the
man. He gave him a hearty slap. He slapped him
on the back.

5. Sir Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth. This
city is in England. Drake was a daring genius. He
lived in Elizabeth's reign. He sailed in August, 1595.
He sailed for the West Indies. He had a large ^eet
of ships. There were twenty-seven ships in the fleet,

6. Zimri lay on the bluff. This was farther along
the shore. He was hidden behind a bend. The bend
was sharp. He had a telescope in his hand. It was
steadied against a boulder. He was looking at a tiny
speck. He was looking steadily. The speck was out
at sea. The speck was to the westward.

7. This historian dictated his history. It was a
history of the world. He dictated it from memory.
His secretary wrote it down. He was eighty-nine years
of age. He worked day after day. He worked eleven
hours each day. It was intellectual labor. It was
very fatiguing Libor.

EXKRCISr^S IN COMPOSITION.

Combine each }:;roup into a compound sentence : —

1. The coach hove in sight. It was old and hiinber-
ing. It came around tlie corner. A troop of chikiren
was there. They greeted llie coach. They made a
great deal of noise. They were very dirty. They were
ragged beyond description. They were jolly withal.

2. The old windows rattled. Every one had broken
panes. Two or three panes were broken in each. They
were stuffed with rags. They were stuffed with old hats.
The cabin had a curious appearance. It had a piebald
appearance. It looked wi etched. It looked dejected.

3. A womjm came to the door. She was weary-faced.
She wore a sailor hat. She wore a pea jacket. She
gazed at her husband. There was despair in her look.
She had a slovenly husband, fie was sitting in the
shade. He was whittling a stick. He was under an old
elm tree.

4. [Two hunters heard snorts.^ They also heard
whistles. They heard the noise of a fierce contest. They
were on the borders of the Everglades. The Everglades
are in Florida. The hunters drew near. They found a
full-grown panther. They found an angry buck. The
panther was trying to tear down the buck.

5. A little spring boiled up. It was in a basin.
Ferns grew around the rim of the basin. The spnng
was under a tulip tree. It was a magnificent tree. The
tree stood near the cabin. Two young girls were drink-
ing. They were dressed daintily. They were guests at
a boarding house. They were there for the summer.
The house was a mile away. They were drinking from
the gourd dipper.

6. The boat followed down the slope. It went with
a rush. It was a hissing slope. It was a slope of receding
water. The whalemen leaped to their places. They pulled
madly at the oars. They wished to gain headway.

7. Two m Ti pushed their way. They came through
the bushes. 1 hese fringed the lake shore. They came
about that time. They looked across the water. It was
a wide stretch of water. They looked at the forms of the
swimmers. Their forms were fast disappearing.

exi:rcises in composition.

:il':

Combine each ^roup into a complex sentettce : —

1. Samuel Bnidburn was a preacher. He was
very famous. He lived in the eighteenth century. His
father was a humble soldier. The father was impressed
for service. He serrr^-d at Gibraltar. He served King
George II. This happened in 1740.

2. There was a young man. He worked on a
newspaper. He lived in one of our cities. He laid aside
his pen. He wished to take a rest. He wished for a
fortnight's rest. He prepared to start. He was going
to the country, the home of his boyhood. One of his
teeth began to ache. He visited a dentist.

3. A Sailor arrived in London. He belonged
to the ship Ganges. It was Her Majesty's ship. He
came to one of the side streets. He was searching

mate was having a half-holiday,
with his parents. These lived

They had moved there itcently.
were returning. They were on a

for a shipmate. The
He was spending it
in that neighborhood.
4. Some hunters

trip after deer. It was an unsuccessful trip. They had
been in the wilds of Maine. It w«s in the winter
of 1897. The day was very stormy. They saw a large
brown bear. They saw a pack of wolves. These
were in the deep snow. They were in deadly combat.

5. There was a civil war. It raged with fury.
This was thirty years ago. The war was between the
North and the South. A poor soldier was tired. The
day's march had wearied him. He lay down on the
ground. The ground was muddy. He slept until the
morning. He slept soundly.

6. The hunter left the track. It was incautious
to do this. He entered the dark forest. There were
trees and undergrowth. The forest was. gloomy. He
hoped to find seme iguanas. These reptiles are beautiful.
They abound in the wildernesses, in the East Indies.

7. An inn was called the Maypole. It was an old-
fashioned inn. It stood near a forest. This was known
as Epping Forest. It is about twelve miles from London.
London is a great city. London is in England. The inn
was founded in the year 1775.

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EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Direct and Indirect Narration.

Change from the direct to the indirect or oblique
form of narration : —

1. " How is it done ?" said John. .

2. '* Are there many seeds ?" enquired James.

3. Mr. Wood replied : *' I will try to answer any
questions you may ask."

4. *' How is it done?" asked Jane.

5. "Is it there made into cloth.'*" John enquired.
*' First into thread, and then into cloth," said his father.

6. "Yes, I have seen them," said William.

7. "If you can hop, froggie, why don't you have a
try for that bluebottle sitting on the thistle near you.-*"
said the sparrow.

8. " I will do my best, as Hubert says," answered
Locksley.

9. ' Thou canst not mend that shot, Locksley,'' said
the Prince, with an insulting smile.

10. " What is thy name, yeoman }" asked Prince John.
" Locksley," answered the yeoman.

11. " How if I refuse to shoot on such a wager ? " said
the yeoman.

12. "Good morning, my lad," said the stranger,
" Whence do you come so early, and whither are you
going?" .

13. "I am \ery glad to hear it," said Daffydowndilly,
" but I should like to get out of his way as soon as
possible."'

14. *' O God be thanked," said Alice the nurse,
" That all comes round so just and fair."

1 5. " Pardon me, noble i rince," said Locksley, " but I
have vowed that if ever I t ike service it should be with
your royal brother. King Ki>;l.j x'."

16. "Now, Locksley, s .d Prince John to the bold
yeoman, with a bitter smile, "wilt thou try conclusions
with Hubert, or wilt thou yield up bow, baldric, and.
quiver to the provost of the sports?"

••ex

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

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M r

Change the following sentences to the direct form • —

1. Little Jean said he would go and find him.

2. His little sister said she would go too.

3. As he came in, Jenny asked him if he had seen
the children.

4. The bear said he would like to see the nest, and
asked where it was.

5. The bear asked who was afraid of a tomtit,
and as he said this he poked his great nose into the nest.

6. The poor birds screamed out with terror, and
they told him again and again to go away.

7. The paper said that it was wonderful, and
that she was finer than ever. She also asked who
could tell what beautiful stories might be written upon
her.

8. His father told him that he seemed to be very
much taken up with the bricklayers and asked him
what he might be thinking about and if he had a notion
of learning the trade.

Edwin smiled and said that he had not, but he was
just thinking what a little thing a brick was and that
that great house was built by laying one brick upon
another.

9. A dervish was travelling alone in the desert
when he met two merchants. He asked them if they
had lost a camel. They replied that they had indeed.
The dervish asked if the camel was not blind in his
right eye and lame in his left leg, and the merchants
replied that he was. He then asked if the camel had
lost a front tooth, and they said he had. Lastly he asked
if the camel was not laden with honey on one side
and with corn on the other. The merchants said that
he most certainly was and told the dervish that as he
had seen him so lately he could of course lead them
to him. The dervish called them friends and said
he had never seen their camel, nor had he heard of him
except through themselves. They said he must have
seen the camel and asked where the jewels were which
formed a part of his burden.

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EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Tommy and the Fly.

Change this story so as not to need the quotation marks.

One rainy day Tommy saw a fly buzzing against the
window pane.

"I'll catch that fly," said he, and with his fat little
fingers he chased the fly down into a corner and caught it.

" Let me go," said the fly.

** I won't," said Tommy.

"You hurt me; you pinch my legs and break my
wingSy" said the fly.

*' I don't care if I do," said Tommy. " You're only a
fly and not worth anything."

" I can do something that you can't do," said the fly.

*' I don't believe it," said the boy. " What can you do ?"

*' I can walk up the wall," said the fly.

** Let me see you do it," said Tommy, and he opened
his hand.

The fly flew across the room, and walked up the wall
and then down again.

" My !" said Tommy, " What else can you do.'*

'* I can walk across the ceiling," said the fly, and he
did so.

*' My ! " said Tommy again. *' How do you do that ?"

*' I have little suckers on my feet that help me to hold
on. I can walk anywhere. I am smarter than a boy."

*' Well, you're not good for anything," answered Tommy,
stoutly.

" Indeed I am good for something," returned the fly.
" Flies eat up the poison in the air."

*' Is that true.?" asked Tommy, in great surprise.

*' Yes, it is true," said the fly.

*' I never thought of that,'* answered Tommy, soberly.
" I'll never hurt a fly again as long as I live, and be sure
I'll never hurt you."

'* You won't get a chance," answered the fly, as he
walked across the ceiling.

" Well, you are a wonderful fly,' said Tommy, " I am
glad that I let you go." Then he sat in deep thought for
some time.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

' sfflBi!

Change from the indirect to the direct form : —

1. A man and a lion once travelled together.
Each one boasted of his own strength, as if he were
greater than the other. As they were disputing, they
passed a stone statue, which stood near the road.
It represented a lion killed by a man. The man then
told the lion to look and see how strong men were ;
that even the king of beasts had to yield to them. The
lion replied that that sounded very well. He asked
if it was a lion or a man who made the statue, and
said that perhaps the lions would have told a different
story. There are two sides to everything.

2. A father on receiving the school report of his son
Henry, said severely to the boy that it was disgraceful.
His report said that he was the last boy in a class
of twenty-two. The boy told his father that it might
have been worse. The father said he didn't see how
it could be, when the boy replied there might have been
more boys in the class.

3. A lawyer who was very little, but also very learned
and witty, had to appear one day as a witness in court.
Another lawyer who, as it happened, was of gigantic
size, asked him what his business was. After he had
received an answer the second lawyer expressed his
astonishment and said that he could put him into his
pocket. The little man retorted that that might be,
but that if the big man did so he would have more
brains in his pocket than ever he had in his head.

4. A gentleman in Ireland having built a large house
was at a lc>ss what to do with the rubbish. His steward
advised him to have a pit dug, large enough to contain
it. The gentleman asked the steward what he should
do with the earth that came out of the pit, to which the
steward replied that he should have the pit made large
enough to hold all.

5. An Irishman, on comparing his watch with the
clock of St. Paul s Cathedral, burst into a fit of laughter.
When a bystander enquired why he was laughing, the
Irishman asked how he could help it. His little watch
had beat the big clock a whole hour and a quarter sinca
the day before.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

4.
5.

Change of Construction.

Change the italicized words to phrases : —

He set up a joyful cry.
The sailor's eyes stood open with surprise.
They were sure of a martyr's reward.
I saw a blue-eyed Dutch girl to day.
They made several useful articles.
6. American cities have grown very fast. .

They advanced cautiously.

They hewed furiously with their hatchets.

3. Few said their prayers publidy at Rugby.

4. The coach comes up presently.

5. Gaily they entered it, heedUsslv^ recklessly.

6. We walk securely under His guidance.

7. They drew upon themselves the royal anger.

Change the italicized words to subordinate clauses : —

1. They had the same indigestible dishes.

2. They welcomed these children with visible ']oy.

3. These are astounding facts.

4. Have they sold the prize turkey ?

5. They made several useless attacks.

6. Medical men have cases on record.

Change the words in italics to phrases ; to clauses: —

1. It caused a momentary anguish.

2. It was a pitiful sight.

3. The rain cannot penetrate i\\es& grassy structures.

4. The boys stood toget!.er at \hQ farther table.

5. Not for the violets golden.

6. lie saw a boy in Sunday clothes.

1. Did you ever hear of such a pitiable case .''

2. This was only a ftassing \\iQW^\..

3. " Tom," cried Will, starting^ " there is a whale."

4. Meanwhile^ Montcalm had been completely
deceived.

5. Montcalm was mortally wounded.

6. He occupies an influential position.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Change these to other simple sentences ^ retaining the
present meaning : —

1. He was small in size.

2. His efforts were in vain.

3. The outlaw stood motionless.

4. His astonishment was great.

5. There is no necessity for it.

6. I am the guardian of the property.

7. I will t n this to good account soon.

8. We pa> aim great respect.

9. They resumed their journey.

10. The island has no inhabitants.

11. The boy made a long pause.

12. He did not answer me. ,

13. It relieved me at once.

14. His effort was a failure.

15. He was about six feet high.

16. The place is frequented by all the boys.

17. He was led into great temptation.

18. You have given a repetition of my story.

19. These shoes are very comfortable.

20. I paid a visit to my grandfather.

21. They promised to consider it carefully.

22. He was the defender of their rights.

23. His offering was a lamb.

24. I made a report to the manager.

25. They were in pursuit of him.

26. My opinions are the opposite of yours.

27. He was under the protection of the Great Spirit.

28. In the interior was a rusty stove.

29. The man wore a long, black beard.
30 It has stopped raining.

31. Some footprints attracted our attention.

32. This would lessen crime.

33. They made enquiry about you.

34. She was in conversation with a friend.

35. The loth of August was the day of his birth.

\ ' \

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EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

the

Cha n<^e these simple sente?ices to compou nd ; to complex,

1. I can vouch for the truth of it.

2. I have answered your question.

3. I know the statement to be false.

4. He rejected both my offers.

5. I cannot beheve his long story.

6. He never would have done it without help.

7. He is evidently greatly to blame.

8. Of the two boys, John is the taller.

9. He showed his appreciation of our services.

10. The boy answered with all his might of wonder.

1 1. Being too heavy to carry, we had to leave it.

12. Notwithstanding his illness, he tried to work.

13. On opening the door, he saw a poor beggar.

14. Having finished his task, he went out to play.

15. He was rejected on account of his slowness.

16. None of the keys tried would fit the lock.

17. Notknowing their lesson, theteacherkeptthemin.

18. After reading it, he handed it to the secretary.

19. Owing to the lateness of the hour, I must go.

20. The snow being deep, we could not go very fast

21. The second question is the harder of the two.

22. Right merrily they sing at their work.

23. The dusty miller fills all their sacks.

24. The miller grinds the grain only in dreams.

25. The miller's children are glad to see the snow.

26. He performs tricks at the command of his keeper.

27. On hearing the noise, he rushed about in alarm.

28. He lay down on the soft green grass.

29. The songs of the birds were heard on every side.

30. He saw two old crows sitting on a tree.

31. I flew through the air with them in my mouth.

32. The street was wet with a recent snow.

33. On the tail, the stripes form complete rings.

34. The tall, pink fox-glove bowed his head.

35. A miller, hale and bold, dwelt beside the river Dee

36. The plates of bone in a whale's mouth weigh a ton.

37. They shoot whales with harpoons fired from guns.

! i '

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Change these compound sentences to simple; to com-
plex : —

1. I groped about for the match and I found it.

2. He went up to his chamber and lay down on his
bed.

3. The judge summed up the evidence and gave his
decision.

4. One day I picked up an apple and I began to

His friend went away and he began to study
He came nearer and saw the havoc made by the

eat It.

.5-

again.

6.
storm.

7. The case came on and the proof of the man's
guilt was brought out.

8. The people ran to assist him but he refused the
proffered help.

9. Then he saw the terrible distress of his chief and
threw a bucket full of water over him.

10. Twice or thrice the engineer was overcome by
the torture and fell exhausted from his seat.

11. Two men would not eave the burning building
and they were quickly burned to death.

12. There were two of the animals outside now and
she dared not open the door of the kitchen.

13. The following incident is related by an English
journal but it might have happened anywhere.

14. The rations were often short but the men were
always good-natured over it.

15. 1 was a boy of some mechanical ability and
I noticed the cause of the trouble at once.

16. A long time was sp'nt in trying to coax the beast
out of his lair but the attempts were ineffectual.

17. The director went with all haste to the waterside,
and in the distance he saw a fine ship.

18. The young lady was evidently frightened half out
of her wits at the drove of cattle and she was tacking
from one side of the road to the other in a dangerous
fashion.

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EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

CJ these complex sentences to simple ; to com

pot/

I know that he is an honest man.

2. I cannot deny that I am weak.

3. As the wind was piercing cold I hurried along.

4. It was surrounded on ail sides by lofty mountains
whose tops were always covered with snow.

5. It was very strange that none of these little
streams descended into the valley itself.

6. It is a shame that you disobey your good and kind
mother.

7. An unusual verdict was rendered by the jury in a
case which was tried in California some years ago.

8. The captain makes a frequent boast that his horse
is the fastest driver in the town.

9. The deck was so far below the level of the wharf
that there seemed no danger of the tiger escaping to land.

10. In the meantime the tide rose, which brought
the deck of the vessel up to the level of the wharf.

11. Leopold von Ranke, who was an eminentGermar
historian, enjoyed the widest popularity.

12. When I conceived the plan a few years ago, the
entire work stood completed in sharp outlines before my
eyes.

13. The animal, which had escaped from his cage
several days before, was at large on the deck.

14. When he had told his pathetic story he made an
urgent appeal for immediate relief.

15. The mother was in deep distress over a wayward
son who had run away from home.

16. A young woman who went into a large drygoods
store not long ago, began openly to pocket articles from
the counter.

17. Our naval officers are not cowards, for war is
their business.

18. An English clergyman, who was a hard smoker,
was cured of the taste for tobacco by a certain twinge of
conscience.

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46 fcXKRCiSKS IN COMPOSITION.

Combine into three sentences : —

My sister fell. My sister cut her arm. My brother
ran for the doctor. The doctor came at once. The
doctor sewed the wound. The wound was soon well
again.

Write out independent statements to represent all the
ideas expressed in the folloiving sentence : —

I made an essay of them by putting; the weight of
wisdom in one scale and that of riches i\ r.notlier, upon
which the latter, to show its comparative lightness,
immediately "flew up, and kicked the beam."

Make one statement out of : —

John is a boy. He is my brother. He is good. He
is good to his mother. He is good to his father. He is
good to his brothers. He is good to his sisters. He is
good to everyone.

Render into good English : —

A fox was passing through a vineyard and so he saw
some fine bunches of grapes on one of tiie trees, so lie
tried to reach one of them, but it hung very high and he
could not get it.

Combine into a compound sentence : — •

The snow is still a foot or two deep in the woods.
The ox-sled is taken out to make a road to the sugar
camp.

The campaign begins.

Combine into a complex sentence : —

A traveller was drenched with rain.

He was benumbed with cold.

He arrived at a country inn.

He found it full of people.

Consequently he could not get near the fire.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION. 47

The Indian Council.

Combine^ making not more than two sentences : —

It was noon. I went to a place. There something
had been arranged. This had been arranged. I should
hold a council with the chiefs of-all the tribes. The chiefs
of all the tribes had congregated to meet me. This was
according to appointment. I arrived. I found the chiefs
of all the tribes there. I found all the chiefs of all the tribes
assembled. The chiefs of all the tribes were standing
in groups. The chiefs of all the tribes were dressed in
their finest costumes. The chiefs of all the tribes had
feathers waving on their heads. The faces of some were
painted. The faces of some were half-painted. The faces
of some were quarter painted. Some had one eye painted.
This was according to the customs of the different
tribes.

The Young Bears.

Two young bears left their native woods. They
came to a bee-hive. The bee-hive was well stored with
honey. They were delighted with their discovery. They
hastily overturned it. They began to eat voraciously.
The bees were not to be deprived of the fruits of their
labor with impunity. They flew about the bears. They
stung them severely in the ears. They stung them
severely in the eyes. The bears endeavored in vain to
repel the attacks of their nimble foes. They were at last
forced to retreat to the woods. They were maddened
with the pain. They were blinded with rage. Their
sufferings at last subsided. They had leisure to reflect
upon their conduct. They laniented their folly. They
resolved to profit by their sad experience. Pleasure
is often bought with pain.

Combine so as to form a connected narrative.
Then transpose in as many 7vays as you can.
Then chans^e to the passive voice.
Change the construction in any other way.

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48 EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION,

Supplying Words.

The Duck and the Fox.

A . . . . w.'is one .... swimming on a . . . . There ....
woods. .. .the pond. In these. .. .there lived a.... He
... .the. .. .for his. .. .very. .. .So. .. .tried to.... her to
the .... Ikit she .... his .... and would .... come. She
then.... to the.... of the pond. The fox. .. .his tricks
... .in vain. He then. . . .vexed and slunk. . . . The. . . .
was ....

Fault-Finding.

A . . . . lady .... a good deal of her .... time in
making artificial. . . .and flowers. By means of. . . .skill,
patience, and. .. .practice she.... very clever. Her
productions. . . .triumphs of artistic. . . ., but her friends
always succeeded in finding some. .. .in them. One ...
she passed. .. .for. .. .inspection a large apple, saying
that she .... they would now, at least, be quite .... How-
ever, this was by no.... the case. One found. .. .with
the. ..., another said the.... was unnatural. .. .all had
....fault to.... When the. . . .came. . . .to. . . ., ....
quietly. .. .it without.... a word, although there.... a
....twinkle in her.... Her clever. .. .had been....
fault with a. . . .apple.

Respiration.

Whether we .... or . . . ., the .... of ... . the ....

should be .... on in the The .... so pure, and

.... when it is . . . . , is .... and deadly when it is

It is then .... the out of the It has .... its

.... power. If ... . it does not the .... and if con-
tinued to be .... serious .... follow. Every ....
should therefore be .... to .... our rooms, .... a good

of , life-giving ..,, which the .... has ....

so .... and so .... .

Its
;on-

> • • •

food

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

STORIES FOR REPRODUCTION.

The Story of an Apple.

Little Tommy, and Peter, and Arcliie, and Bob
Were walking one day when they found

An apple ; 'twas mellow and rosy and red,
And lymg alone on the ground.

Said Tommy, '* I'll have it ;'' said Peter, **'Tis mine."

Said Archie, " Pve got it, so there."
Said Bobby, " Now let us divide in four parts

And each of us boys have a share."

" No, no," shouted Tommy, **T11 have it myself."

Said Peter, '* I want it, I say,"
Said Archie, Pve got it and 1 ^l have it all,

I won't give a morsel away."

Then Tommy, he snatched it, and Peter he fought,

('Tis sad and distressing to tell !)
And Archie held on with his might and his main,

Till out of his fingers it fell.

Away from the c|uarrelsome urchins it flew,

And then down a green little hill
That apple it rolled and it rolled and it rolled.

As if.it would never be still.

A lazy ola brindle was nipping the grass,

And switching her tail at the flies.
When all of a sudden the apple rolled down

And stopped just in front of her eyes.

She gave it a bite and a swallow or two —
That apple was seen never more.
I wish," whimpered Archie and Peter and Tom,
" We'd'kept it and cut it in four."

— The Independent

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EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Saved by a Spider.

A king who had been defeated in battle, fled from the
field, pursued by his enemies. Happening to pass a cave
with a very narrow entrance, he went in and lay down to
rest for the night. Meanwhile a spider wove her v/eb
across the mouth of the cave.

Next morning the enemy continued the chase. On
reaching the cave it struck one of the soldiers that the
king might have taken refuge there, and he proposed to
search it. *' It is of no use," replied his companion, '"' for
if he had gone in there, he would have swept away that
spider's web which covers the entrance." They accord-
ingly passed on, and after their departure the king left
the cave and continued his flight in another direction,
owing his escape to the little spider which wove her web
over the entrance to his hiding place.

The King and the Thief.

A thief once formed a plan for stealing a clock from
one of the apartments in the palace of Louis XIV. He
entered unobserved, and, placmg a ladder against the
wall, he mounted for the purpose of bringing down the
clock.

As hj was doing so the king happened to enter the
room, and the thief, without losing his presence of mind,
said : *' I'm afraid the ladder may slip." The king
thought that this was one of his servants taking down the
clock to get it repaired. He therefore held the foot of
the ladder for fear of an accident. When this was done
the king walked away and thought no more of the matter.

Some hours afterwards he was told that a clock had
been stolen from the palace. The truth flashed upon his
mind at once. The man whom he had so graciously
helped was none other than the thief. " Say nothing
about it," said his majesty, "for I am an accomplice ii^
the *heft ; I held the ladder while he was taking down
the clock."

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Napoleon and the Soldier.

Napoleon was one day at a review of his troops, when
the bridle of his horse shpped from his hand and the
horse bolted. He was stopped by a common soldier
and brought back to the Emperor, who said, *' Well
done, Captain ! "

" Of what regiment, sire ? " was the quick reply.

" Of the Guards," replied Napoleon, who was pleasevl
with the man's innocent belief of his word.

The man instantly threw down his musket and joined
the Emperor's principal officers, although he had neither
sword, epaulets, nor any other mark of his promotion than
the word of the Emperor. They laughed at him, but he
said that the Emperor had called him Captain of the
Guards and that was sufficient for their not disputing
his rank. He afterwards made such a brillian'j officer
that he was considered worthy of the rank.

The King's Correction.

There is a story told of one of the Kings of Spain,
that he heard, one day, that his pages neglected to say
their grace, before and after their meals. He determined
to put a stop to this irreverence and invited them all
to supper at his grandest banquet hall.

As usual, they sat down to eat the food set before them
without saying grace. Suddenly a ragged beggar came
into the hall, and sat down beside the pages. This
behavior horrified them, and when the beggar went
out at the end of the meal widiout expressing his thanks,
they said, " What a horrid, rude fellow that i ; he never
said a word of thanks to your Majesty for his excellent
dinner."

*' Boys," said the King, "you have done v oise than
that poor beggar ; you have sat down each 'hiy tc eat
without a word of thanks to Almighty God for all the
blessings He has given you."

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

■i

Paraphrasing.

1. Thoroughly grasp the writer's meaning.

2. Write out these thoughts in an entirely different
way, being very careful of the figurative expressions.

(a) Changing the construction. — See page i8.

\b) Expanding the ideas.

(r) Changing the form of the sentences.

(d) Long sentences into shorty concise expressions.

J. Condense your expressions^ then carefully examine
\ind correct^ never being satisfied with one attempt.

1. Simple duty hath no place for fear. — Whittier.

2. The boy is father of the man. — Wordsworth.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.— P^?/^.

Earth'snoblest thing— -a woman perfected. — Lowell.

Your friendships determine your character. — Anon.

You must forge yourself a character. — Froude.

Look before you ere you leap,

For as you sow y'are like to reap — Butler.

For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds,
And though a late, a sure reward succeeds.

9. Who does the best his circumstance allows

Does well, acts nobly ; angels could do no more.

10. The rank is but the guinea's stamp ;
The man's the gowd for a* that. — Burns.

1 1. God shall make divinely real
T'le highest forms of thine 'idea\— Annie Preston.

12. Hours are golden links, God's token.
Reaching heaven ; but one by one

Take them, lest the chain bei^roken
Ere thy pilgrimage be done. —Proctor.

13. One by one the sands are flowing,
One by one the moments fall ;

Some are coming, some are going ;

Do not strive to grasp them 2i\\.~ Proctor.

5-
6.

\..\\

EXERCISES IN COiMPOSITION.

in.

14. Hark ! that's the nightingale,
Telling the self-same tale

Her song told when this ancient earth was young :
So echoes answered when her song was sung
.In the first wooded vale. — Rossetti.

15. The sunrise wakes the lark to sing,
The moonrise wakes the nightingale.
Come darkness, moonrise, everything
That is so silent, sweet and pale.

Come, so ye wake the nightingale. — Rossetti.

16. They'll come again, to the apple tree —

Robin and all the rest —
When the orchard branches are fair to see

In the snow of the blossoms dressed.
And the sweetest thing in the world will be

The building of the nest. — Margt. Sangster.

17. Full many a gem of purest ray serene

The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear ;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air. — Gray.

18. Begin while life is bright and young,

Work out each noble plan ;
True knowledge lends a charm to youth,

And dignifies the man.
Then upward, onward, st%p by step,

With perseverance ri^ ;
And emulate, with hearts of hope.

The good, the great, the wise. — Anon.

19. Love all, trust a few,

Do wrong to none ; be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than in use ; and keep thy friend
Under thy own life s key ; be checked for silence,
But never taxed for speech. — Shakespeare.

It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse
with superior minds, and these invaluable means of com-
munication are within the reach of all. In the best
books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious
thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. — Cunning.

i 1 1

1 1

1 '
1

1
1

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54 , EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

The Pineapple and the Bee.

The pineapples, in triple row,

Were basking hot, and all in blow ;

A bee of most discerning taste,

Perceived the fragrance as he passed.

C. eager wing the spoiler came,

And searched for crannies in the frame,

Urged his attempt on every side,

To every pane his trunk applied j

But still in vain, the frame was tight,

And pervious only to the light ;

Thus having wasted half the day.

He trimmed his flight another way. — Cowper.

The Nightingale and the Glowworm.

A nightingale, that all day long
Had cheered the village with his song,
Nor yet at eve his note suspended,
Nor yet when eventide was ended,
Began to feel, as well he might.
The keen demands of appetite,
When, looking eagerly around,
He spied far off, upon the ground
A something shining in the dark
And knew the glowworm by his spark.
So stooping down from hawthorn top.
He thought to put him in his crop.

The worm, aware of his intent,
Harangued him thus right eloquent :
'' Did you admire my lamp ! " quoth he,
**As much as I your minstrelsy,
You would abhor to do me wrong,
As much as I to spoil your song ;
For 'twas the seK-same Power Divine
T.iught you to sing and me to shine.
That you with music, I with light.
Might beautify and cheer the night."

The songster heard his short oration
And warbling out his approbation,
Released him, as the story tells,
And found a supper somewhere'else. — Comper^

Pxraphrase the above extracts.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Qood-Morning and Good-Nlg;ht.

Good -Morning peeped over her eastern gate,

To see if the children were up ;
And laughed at a bumblebee coming home late.

Who was caught in a hollyhock cup.
Good-Morning has eyes like the glint of the skies

When they're bright as the sun and the stars mixed together.
And her lips are so sweet, and her steps are so fleet,

She can dance like a thistledown, fly like a feather.
You *' never have seen her ?" Oh, me I Oh, me I
What a dull little sleepy head you must be 1

Good-Morning can sing like a brook or a bird :

She knows where the fairies all hide ;
Some folk, hard of hearing, say they never have heard

Her sing, though they often have tried.
Good -Morning has hair made of sunshine so rare.

The elves try to steal it to weave in the weather ;
Which made her afraid, the bonny wee maid.

To swing on the gate many minutes together.
You " never have seen her ?" Ah, me ! Ah, me I
What a cross, lazy lie-abed you must be !

Good- Night is her neighbor, a dear little soul,

Who swings in a hammock and not on a gate.
She half shuts her eyes with a great yawn so droll.

It would make an owl laugh, I will venture to state.
Good-Night always brings the most wonderful things,

To hide in the children's beds, glittering and gleaming.
Such tales she can tell, and she tells them so well,

You could listen all night, and believe you were dreaming.
You '* never have heard her?" Oh, me ! Oh, me 1
What a small naughty wide-awake you must be I

Good-Night has a house full of beautiful toys.

That she keeps for the children — no grown folks are there ;
And she carries them off, the wee girlies and boys,

To her magical palace, and oh, how they stare !
Good -Night never frowns when she sees the white gowns

Come trooping to beg for more stories — the dear.
But with kisses and smiles the time she beguiles,

And bids them to come again soon — do you hear ?
You *' never have teen there ? " Ah, me ! Ah, me !
What a very sad, grown-up young chick you must be 1
Paraphrase the above selection.

EXERCISES IN COxMPOSITION.

Answer in full Sentences.

1. IVAy is it best to use simple language ?

2. Illustrate the uses of capital letter i,

3. Write sentences to show the use i / ' shall and will.

4. Show the characteristics of direct and indirect
narrative.

5. Write sentences using the interrogative pronouns.

6. What two methods are employed in askittg questions ?
Give examples,

7. How is a question in writing indicated?

8. What is an abbreviation ? A contraction ? Give
five examples of each.

9. Name three places in which a period is used.

10. Make a list of abstract nouns ending in : —
th ; ness ; tion ; ance ; ence ; ing ; hood ; ty.

11. Make a list of ten nouns derived from : —
I. adjectives. 2. verbs. 3. nouns.

12. Make a list of ten collective nouns and show the
meaning of each by using it correctly in a sentence.

13. What date have we to-day ?

14. Make a list of the things used on the farm; grown
on the farm.

15. Make a list of things sold in a grocery j in a butcher
shop; in a drygoods store.

16. Name the different kinds of factories; mills; tell
what is manufactured in each.

17. Name five garden products^ telling the size^ color and
shape of each.

18. Name five articles of foody and tell where each is
obtained.

19. Make a list of the advantages and enjoyments of
farm life which cannot be had in the city. Arrange your
work as a composition.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION^

Information Lessons.

(Anszvers to be in the form of sentences.)
Animals.

1. Name our domestic animals.

2. Why are they called domestic animals ?

3. Name the domestic animals of other lands and tell
where each lives.

4. What name is given to a collection of wild animals ?

5. What wild animals have been tamed and made
useful ?

6. What wild animals are useful to man ? Name uses.

Seeds.

Name some seeds : —
(i) That are used as food when ripe.

(2) That are stored as food for future use.

(3) That may be distributed by the wind.

(4) That are scattered by the plant itself.

(5) That are distributed by sticking to the hair of
animals.

Foods.

1. Name the meats used as food.

2. Name some grains used as food.

3. Name some roots used as food.

4. Name some home drinks.

5. Show the advantages of milk as a food.

6. Tell how four foods are prepared for the table.

The Senses.

1. Name the five senses boys and girls should have.

2. What is the purpose of each sense ?

3. How can those be made very acute ?

4. Name things that are soft, hard, wet, dry, smooth,
rough, light, heavy, hot, cold.

5. Name thmgs that are bright, white, black, brown,
red, green, pretty.

6. Name things that are sweet, sour, bitter.

7. Name the primary colors, the secondary colors.
What one object has all these colors ?

'■'jj^^^^^^^^f^i-

■\^i'-''J. Ajt,.'t=^li=A.kA.

58 EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

Trees.

1. The parts of a tree and their forms.

2. The organs of the tree and their uses.

3. How they grow — their food.

4. The kinds and shapes of trees.

5. The uses of trees.

6. The trees of your neighborhood.

7. Important foreign trees. •

Forms of Water.

1. Name the various forms of water.

2. How is each produced.''

3. What is rain, snow, hail, sleet, mist, fog, dew, and
hoar frost ?

4. What are the uses of rain and snow ?

5. Why is it colder on a starry night than if the sky
were cloudy ?

6. Where does the rain come from ?

7. What becomes of the rain that f^lls ?

Tea.

1. What it is.

2. Where it grows.

3. How it is prepared for export.

4. The various kinds of tea.

5. How it is used in Canada.

6. Substitutes for tea.

Order.

1. What care should you take of your clothes and
shoes ?

2. Give two good rules for the use of your cap.

3. What use should you make of your slate, sponge,
and pencil ?

4. What rules should you observe regarding your
desk and your books.

5. When is your room in order ?

6. Describe your room when in order. /

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

For Reproduction.

Fables.

1. The Lark and her Young Ones.

2. The Bundle of Sticks,

3. The Dog and his Shadow.

4. The Ant and the Grasshopper.

5. The Hare and the Tortoise.

3-
4-
5-

I.
2.

3-
4-
5-

5.
6.

Fairy Tales.

Cinderella.
Red Riding Hood.
The Sandy Road.
The Twelve Brothers.
The Sleeping Beauty.

Briar Rose.
Little Snow-white.
Faithful John.
The Dog Sultan.
The Queen Bee.

Mythology.

Theseus and the Minotaur.
Perseus and the Gorgon.
The Centaur and his Hero Princes.
Jason and the Argonauts.
Antaeus and the Pigmies.

Old Testament Stories.

The Calling of Samuel.
Daniel at Babylon.
David and (joliath.
Jonah and the Whale.
David and Jonathan.

Childhood of Moses.
Pharoah's Dreams.
Ruth and Naomi.
Death of Absalom
Sodom and Gomorrah.

New Testament Stories.

The Talents.
The Good Samaritan.
The Lost Sheep.
The Prodigal Son.
The Ten Virgins.
The Marriage Feast.

The Sower.

The Tares.

The Leaven.

The Pearl.

The Mustard Seed.

Dives and Lazarus.

. i

KXERCISES IN COMPOSITION.

• t . !

An Afternoon Ramble.

1. Through the lane. 4. In the woods.

2. Across the meadow. 5. Towards home.

3. By the brook. 6. A quiet rest.

How I Spend the Day.

1. When I usually rise.

2. What I do before breakfast.

3. The hurry to school.

4. The routine of lessons.

5. Some amusing or sensational incident.

6. Sports engaged in.

7. home lessons.

A Picnic.

1. Preparations.

2. Arrival at the grounds.

3. Description of the grounds.

4. The games engaged in.

5. The refreshments.

6. The breaking up of the picnic and the return
home.

Building a House.

1. Making the design.

2. Preparing the material.

3. The workmen, in the order of the »vork.
The finished structure.
Arranging the grounds.
Furnishing the house.

Stamp Collecting.

™

5-
6.

1. The pleasure you take in stamp collecting.

2. When you began collecting.

3. How you have added to your collection.

4. Your album and how you arrange the stamps.

5. Some stamps you prize — why?

6. Some stamps you would like to have.

7. The country you would hke to have complete.

8. The advantages of stamp collecting : —

(i) pleasure ; (2) profit.

EXERCISES IN COMPOSITION. 6 1

Narratives.

Let each pupil make out an outline plan for composi-
tion on the foilo7ving subjects and then compare : —
Show that the order is logical.
What will be discussed lender each heading.
Show that all important points are include J.

First Experiences.

1. A boy's first pair of pants.

2. A girl's first doll.

3. The first time in church.

4. Starting to Sunday-school.

5. The first day at school.

6. The first trip to the country.

7. The first trip to the city.

8. The first trip on the railway.
"9. The first boat ride.

10. The first sight of a balloon.

11. The first examination I passed.

12. The first examination at which I failed.

13. Learning to s -ate.