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A Boy Scout's Courage
A Boy Scout's Courage

Chapter X · A Capture from the Skies

Cover illustration for A Boy Scout's Courage
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.
He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.
He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.
As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.
After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.
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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 Boy Scout's Courage

Chapter X · A Capture from the Skies

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.
Line 2
He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.
Line 3
He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.
Line 4
As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.
Line 5
After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Dick noun US /dick/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.”

All words in this reading · 87

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

beautiful

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

believed

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

blocked

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

blocking

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

brain

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

bring

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

cleared

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

Colonel

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

day

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

Dick

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

discover

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

discredited

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

early

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

England

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

far

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

felt

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

furious

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

Germans

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

Graves

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

Harry

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

imagined

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

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

incredible

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

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

information

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

involved

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

Jack

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

less

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

lovely

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

made

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

means

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

minded

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

most

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

now

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

off

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

perfect

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

personal

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

plan

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

prevent

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

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

racked

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

rain

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

received

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

see

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

some

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

summer

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

things

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

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

Throckmorton

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

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

trying

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

From this reading As he looked around it seemed incredible that such things as he was trying to prevent could even be imagined.

unpleasantness

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

up

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

usefulness

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

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.

warm

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

From this reading After the early rain, the day had cleared up warm and lovely, and it was now that most perfect of things, a beautiful summer day in England.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He was furious at Graves, who had discredited him with Colonel Throckmorton, as he believed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Jack went off to see what he could discover, and Harry, left behind with Dick, racked his brain for some means of blocking the plan he was so sure the Germans had made.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He minded the personal unpleasantness involved far less than the thought that his usefulness was blocked, for he felt that no information he might bring would be received now.