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Across Iceland
Across Iceland

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.
We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.
Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.
We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.
A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.
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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.

Across Iceland

Chapter IX

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.
Line 2
We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.
Line 3
Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.
Line 4
We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.
Line 5
A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

arrived

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

attention

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

attracted

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

best

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

better

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

Bratholt

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

certainly

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

class

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

country

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

daughters

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

days

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

desert

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

entering

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

expected

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

far

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

farm-house

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

farmer's

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

farmers

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

farms

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

final

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

GEYSIR

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

habitation

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

human

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

interior

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

island

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

kind

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

kitchen

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

lunched

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

margin

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

meal

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

miles

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

near

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

old

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

photograph

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

premises

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

prepared

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

see

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

seen

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

shown

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

some

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

specimen

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

stage

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

superior

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

ten

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

then

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

there

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

THINGVELLIR

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

three

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

traversed

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

try

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

From this reading A fine specimen of an old kitchen attracted my attention, and I determined to try to photograph it.

twelve

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

two

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

uninhabited

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

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

very

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Bratholt farm-house seemed to be one of the superior kind--it was certainly the best that we had seen so far.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading We had traversed the uninhabited country and were then entering upon the final stage of the journey across the island, where we expected to see some of the better class of farms and farmers.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

wife

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

From this reading We lunched there, and while the meal was being prepared were shown over the premises by the farmer's wife and daughters.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading GEYSIR AND THINGVELLIR We were very near the margin of the desert interior, for within two or three miles we arrived at the farm-house of Bratholt, the first human habitation that we had seen for ten or twelve days.