Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Ben's Nugget
Ben's Nugget

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Ben's Nugget
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.
Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.
During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.
As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.
Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ben's Nugget

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.
Line 2
Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.
Line 3
During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.
Line 4
As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.
Line 5
Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

Learner Dictionary

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

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

air

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

any

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

ASconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

BEN

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

From this reading BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

benefit

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

blazing

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

built

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

company

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

complaint

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

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

consideration

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

cool

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

distinguished

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

doors

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

effort

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

evening

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

exert

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

four

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

further

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

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

gathered

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

gifts

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

ill-treatment

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

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

knew

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

LAURELS

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

From this reading BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

log-fire

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

made

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

miners

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

out

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

present

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

proposed

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

remainder

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

round

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

sang

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

SINGER

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

From this reading BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

sojourn

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

songs

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

Three

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Our party had no further complaint to make of ill-treatment.

treated

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

vocal

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

voices

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

From this reading Three or four of those present had good voices, and sang such songs as they knew.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

welcome

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

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading As the miners gathered round a blazing log-fire built out of doors, which the cool air of evening made welcome, it was proposed that those who had any vocal gifts should exert them for the benefit of the company.

WINS

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

From this reading BEN WINS LAURELS AS A SINGER.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During the remainder of the evening they were treated with distinguished consideration, and every effort was made to make their sojourn pleasant.