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Chapter II

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Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.
But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."
"But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."
"Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.
He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.
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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.

Action Front

Chapter II

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.
Line 2
But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."
Line 3
"But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."
Line 4
"Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.
Line 5
He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “"But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."”

All words in this reading · 68

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 But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

all

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

Canadian

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

conditions

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

Courtenay

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

From this reading "But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."

discoverin

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

engines

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

fancy

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

figured

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

firm

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

fixed

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

get

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

guy

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

how

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

just

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

M-m-m

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

made

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

mebbe

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

mistook

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

Nope

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

notes

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

notion

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

out

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

plump

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

said

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading "But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."

seein

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

sergeant

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

sheds

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

some

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading He fixed it all, and me suddenly discoverin' I was mistook for a Canadian I just said 'M-m-m' when anybody asked me.

testin

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

that's

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

From this reading "But how?" asked Courtenay--"if that's not a secret."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.

tickled

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

useful

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

war

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

From this reading But I took a fancy to seein' how the engines made out under war conditions, an' figured I might get some useful notes on it for the firm, so I fixed it to come right along."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

Why

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

From this reading "Why, that guy in the testin' sheds was plump tickled when I told him my notion.

written

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

From this reading "Nope," said the sergeant, "not in the written one, mebbe.