Copy Book Archive

Typical Cat! When a cat comes into your life, resistance is futile.
1917
Music: William Alwyn

© Lisa Risager, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0. Source

About this picture …

Victor would like you to know that this is his bed.

Typical Cat!
Aspiring author Elizabeth had been needing a little bit of good luck, and finding a stray black cat she named ‘Joseph’ seemed like a good omen.

BY the end of the second day he was conveying the impression that he was the real owner of the apartment, and that it was due to his good nature that Elizabeth was allowed the run of the place.

Like most of his species, he was an autocrat. He waited a day to ascertain which was Elizabeth’s favourite chair, then appropriated it for his own.

If Elizabeth closed a door while he was in a room, he wanted it opened so that he might go out; if she closed it while he was outside, he wanted it opened so that he might come in; if she left it open, he fussed about the draught.

But the best of us have our faults, and Elizabeth adored him in spite of his.

Précis

Lonely writer Elizabeth hoped that the arrival of a stray cat she called Joseph would inspire her. Of course, there was a price to pay. He took over her favourite chair, he fussed about draughts. But she loved him no less for all that. (44 / 60 words)

Source

From ‘The Man With Two Left Feet (and Other Stories)’ (1917) by P. G. Wodehouse (1881-1975).

Suggested Music

Sonata alla toccata

2. Andante con moto e semplice

William Alwyn (1905-1985)

Performed by Mark Bebbington.

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How To Use This Passage

You can use this passage to help improve your command of English.

IRead it aloud, twice or more. IISummarise it in one sentence of up to 30 words. IIISummarise it in one paragraph of 40-80 words. IVMake notes on the passage, and reconstruct the original from them later on. VJot down any unfamiliar words, and make your own sentences with them later. VIMake a note of any words that surprise or impress you, and ask yourself what meaning they add to the words you would have expected to see. VIITurn any old-fashioned English into modern English. VIIITurn prose into verse, and verse into prose. IXAsk yourself what the author is trying to get you to feel or think. XHow would an artist or a photographer capture the scene? XIHow would a movie director shoot it, or a composer write incidental music for it?

For these and more ideas, see How to Use The Copy Book.

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