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Burnham Breaker
Burnham Breaker

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Burnham Breaker
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.
A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.
Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.
It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.
All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.
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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.

Burnham Breaker

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.
Line 2
A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.
Line 3
Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.
Line 4
It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.
Line 5
All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

abiding

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

All

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

Ambition

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

back

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

beauty

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

boy

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

breast

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

bright

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

came

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

courage

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

days

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

despondent

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

dreams

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

faded

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

famous

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

FIRE

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

From this reading THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

home

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

hope

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.

indeed

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

learned

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

love

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

made

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

more

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

mother's

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

natural

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

old

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

once

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

only

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

past

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

place

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

Ralph's

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

remain

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

rich

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

SHAFT

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

From this reading THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

spirit

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

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

summer

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

surrounded

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

sweet

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FIRE IN THE SHAFT.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

things

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Ambition came back to him with the summer days, and hope found an abiding place in his breast once more.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading All these things, though they had not faded from his mind, were thought of only as sweet dreams of the past.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A boy with Ralph's natural courage and spirit could not remain long despondent.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading It was not, indeed, the old ambition to be rich and learned and famous, nor the hope that he should yet be surrounded with beauty in a home made bright by a mother's love.