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A Modern Instance
A Modern Instance

Chapter X

Cover illustration for A Modern Instance
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.
“We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.
Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”
He gave Bartley two tickets.
“Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.
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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 Modern Instance

Chapter X

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.
Line 2
“We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.
Line 3
Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”
Line 4
He gave Bartley two tickets.
Line 5
“Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ““We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.””

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading ““We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.””

All words in this reading · 72

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 Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

Bartley

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

character

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

costumes

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

difficulty

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

especially

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

full

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

gave

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

From this reading He gave Bartley two tickets.

Get

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

go

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

guess

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

hard

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He gave Bartley two tickets.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

Hubbard

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

imagination

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

impressing

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

instructions

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

keep

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

lively

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

love

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

made

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

making

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

man

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

Marcia's

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

Mighty

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

money

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

Mrs

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

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

much

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

nice

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

occasion

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

report

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

Ricker

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

said

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

see

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

socially

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

tasteful

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

tickets

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

From this reading He gave Bartley two tickets.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

two

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

From this reading He gave Bartley two tickets.

uncommon

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

From this reading “Mighty hard to get, I can tell you, for _love_ or money,--especially love,” he said; and Bartley made much of this difficulty in impressing Marcia's imagination with the uncommon character of the occasion.

very

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

want

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Bartley had instructions from Ricker to see that his report was very full socially.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

whole

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”

you're

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

From this reading “We want something lively, and at the same time nice and tasteful, about the whole thing, and I guess you're the man to do it.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading Get Mrs. Hubbard to go with you, and keep you from making a fool of yourself about the costumes.”