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A Taxicab Tangle
A Taxicab Tangle

Chapter II · Startling News

Cover illustration for A Taxicab Tangle
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.
The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.
They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.
It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.
One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.
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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 Taxicab Tangle

Chapter II · Startling News

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

Line 1
Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.
Line 2
The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.
Line 3
They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.
Line 4
It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.
Line 5
One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

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 “They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.”

Observation noun US /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

affairs

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

Arizona

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

automobile

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

best

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

better

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

car

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

chanced

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

changes

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

Chub

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

chum's

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

confident

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

cowboy

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

dazed

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

dazzling

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

decided

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

delighted

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

downtown

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

friends

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

go

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

highly

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

how

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

knew

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

leaped

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

luck

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

Matt

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

Matt's

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

McGlory

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

McGlory's

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

McReady

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

mining

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

more

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

morning's

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

near-at-hand

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

observationnounUS /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

poverty

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

prepared

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

prospective

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

rather

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

separated

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

skeptical

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

some

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

spent

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

subway

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

surface

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The cowboy would go downtown by the subway and Matt would use a surface car.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

turn

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

unexpected

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

From this reading They separated, McGlory rather dazed and skeptical about his prospective fortune, and Matt more confident and highly delighted over his chum’s unexpected good luck.

use

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

way

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

wealth

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

From this reading One of Matt’s best friends, “Chub” McReady, had leaped from poverty to wealth by such a turn of the wheel, and Matt was prepared to believe that the same dazzling luck could come McGlory’s way.

wheel

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

work

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.

worse

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

From this reading It chanced that Matt had spent some time in Arizona, and he knew, from near-at-hand observation, how suddenly the wheel of fortune changes for better or for worse in mining affairs.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Matt and McGlory decided that they would not use an automobile for their morning’s work.