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A Gamble with Life
A Gamble with Life

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Gamble with Life
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.
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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 Gamble with Life

Chapter III

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.
Line 2
His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.
Line 3
He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.
Line 4
But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.
Line 5
Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.”

LIFE noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

accidents

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

all

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

anticipation

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

busy

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

careless

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

complaint

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

completion

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

Contractors

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

crowd

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

days

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

delays

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

fear

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

Felix

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

few

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

grew

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

inevitable

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

kept

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

LIFEnounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

limit

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

many

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

months

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

much

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

Muller

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

nearer

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

numerous

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

retrospect

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

Rufus

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

scheme

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

see

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

serious

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

six

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

slow

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

Sterne

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

too

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

twelve

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

From this reading But he had not been at work many weeks before he began to fear that twelve months would be much nearer the limit.

unconsciously

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

VALUE

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

very

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

wanted

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

way

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

weeks

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

From this reading THE VALUE OF A LIFE During the next few weeks Rufus Sterne was kept so busy that he had very little time for either retrospect or anticipation.

well

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

work

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

From this reading His great complaint was that the days were all too short for the work he wanted to crowd into them.

workmen

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

From this reading Contractors were so slow, workmen were so careless, and accidents--none of them serious--were so numerous, that delays were inevitable, and the days grew into weeks unconsciously.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He had told Felix Muller that six months would see his scheme well on its way to completion.