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A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities

Book II · Chapter VIII · Monseigneur in the Country

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

Monseigneur in the Country, reading 1: A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.
Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.
On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.
Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.
A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Tale of Two Cities

Book II · Chapter VIII · Monseigneur in the Country

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

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

Line 1
A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.
Line 2
Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.
Line 3
On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.
Line 4
Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.
Line 5
A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

circumstance noun US /ˈsɝːkəmstæns/

a fact or condition connected with and affecting a situation or event

From this reading “A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.”

countenance noun US /ˈkaʊntənəns/

a person's face or the expression shown on it

From this reading “A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.”

disposition noun US /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

a natural tendency or inclination to behave in a particular way

From this reading “On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.”

All words in this reading · 84

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

abundant

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From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

an

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

and

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

appearance

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

as

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

away

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

beans

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

beautiful

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

been

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

beyond

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

blush

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

breeding

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

bright

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

but

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

by

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

carriage

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

circumstancenounUS /ˈsɝːkəmstæns/

a fact or condition connected with and affecting a situation or event

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

coarse

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

conducted

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

control

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

corn

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

countenancenounUS /ˈkaʊntənəns/

a person's face or the expression shown on it

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

cultivated

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

dejected

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

a natural tendency or inclination to behave in a particular way

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

external

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

fagged

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

for

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

four

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

from

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

give

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

have

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

high

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

hill

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

his

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

impeachment

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

in

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

inanimate

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

it

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

landscape

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

lighter

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

Marquis

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

men

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

might

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

Monsieur

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

most

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

nature

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

no

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

not

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

occasioned

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

of

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

On

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

Patches

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

peas

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

poor

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

post-horses

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

postilions

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

prevalent

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

rye

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

setting

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

should

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

steep

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

substitutes

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

sun

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

tendency

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

the

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

to

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

towards

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

travelling

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

two

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

unwillingly

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

up

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

vegetable

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

vegetating

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

was

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

wheat

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

where

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

From this reading Patches of poor rye where corn should have been, patches of poor peas and beans, patches of most coarse vegetable substitutes for wheat.

which

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

From this reading Monsieur the Marquis in his travelling carriage (which might have been lighter), conducted by four post-horses and two postilions, fagged up a steep hill.

who

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

with

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

From this reading A beautiful landscape, with the corn bright in it, but not abundant.

wither

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.

within

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

From this reading A blush on the countenance of Monsieur the Marquis was no impeachment of his high breeding; it was not from within; it was occasioned by an external circumstance beyond his control--the setting sun.

women

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

From this reading On inanimate nature, as on the men and women who cultivated it, a prevalent tendency towards an appearance of vegetating unwillingly--a dejected disposition to give up, and wither away.