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A Book of Discovery
A Book of Discovery

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for A Book of Discovery
Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.
English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.
While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.
News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.
They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Book of Discovery

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.
Line 2
English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.
Line 3
While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.
Line 4
News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.
Line 5
They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.”

Grasp noun US /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.”

Westward adverb US /ˈwɛstwərd/

toward the west

From this reading “They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.”

All words in this reading · 80

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

admiration

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

Atlantic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

believed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

Bristol

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

CABOT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

Cabots

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

China

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

Christopher

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

coast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

Columbus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

da

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

England

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

English

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

fifty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

fro

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

Gama

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

graspnounUS /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

Indies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

infinite

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

John

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

keep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

longer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

making

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

New

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

NEWFOUNDLAND

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

News

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

Old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

Portugal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

possible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

reached

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

ready

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

received

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

rejoicing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

sailing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

SAILS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

seas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

Sebastian

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

sending

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

service

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

son

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

Spain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

Spain's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

straining

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

success

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

treasure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

Vasco

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

voyage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

wealth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.

West

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

westwardadverbUS /ˈwɛstwərd/

toward the west

From this reading They believed with the rest of the world that the coast of China had been reached by sailing westward.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While Spain was sending Christopher Columbus to and fro across the Atlantic to the West Indies, while Portugal was rejoicing in the success of Vasco da Gama, John Cabot, in the service of England, was making his way from Bristol to the New World.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading News of the first voyage of Columbus had been received by the Cabots--John and his son Sebastian--with infinite admiration.

World

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CABOT SAILS TO NEWFOUNDLAND It was no longer possible for the Old World to keep secret the wealth of the New World.

years

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading English eyes were already straining across the seas, English hands were ready to grasp the treasure that had been Spain's for the last fifty years.