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A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities

Book II · Chapter X · Two Promises

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

More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

Two Promises, reading 1: More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French…
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.
In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.
He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.
He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.
Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.
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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.

A Tale of Two Cities

Book II · Chapter X · Two Promises

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

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.
Line 2
In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.
Line 3
He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.
Line 4
He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.
Line 5
Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

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.

cultivated verb US /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/

developed or encouraged an interest, skill, or quality over time

From this reading “He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.”

established adjective US /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/

settled securely in a place, profession, or way of life

From this reading “More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.”

literature noun US /ˈlɪtərəʧər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading “More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

age

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

all

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

and

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

any

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

as

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

at

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

be

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

been

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

besides

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

carpenters

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

Charles

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

class

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

come

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

conversant

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

cooks

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

could

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

cultivatedverbUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/

developed or encouraged an interest, skill, or quality over time

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

Darnay

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

dropped

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

easily

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

England

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

English

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/

settled securely in a place, profession, or way of life

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

fancy

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

find

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

for

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

found

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

French

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

gone

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

had

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

have

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

he

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

higher

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

in

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

interest

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

into

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

its

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

Kings

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

knowledge

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

language

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

ledgers

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

leisure

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərəʧər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

living

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

masters

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

men

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

months

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

More

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

Mr

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

no

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

nobility

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

not

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

number

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

of

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

out

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

over

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

Princes

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

Professor

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

read

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

render

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

ruined

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

sound

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

spoken

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

stores

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

study

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

Such

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

teacher

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

Tellson's

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

that

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

the

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

them

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

this

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

time

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

to

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

tongue

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

turn

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

Tutor

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

twelve

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

was

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

were

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

who

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

with

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

From this reading More months, to the number of twelve, had come and gone, and Mr. Charles Darnay was established in England as a higher teacher of the French language who was conversant with French literature.

world

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.

would

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

From this reading In this age, he would have been a Professor; in that age, he was a Tutor.

write

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

From this reading He could write of them, besides, in sound English, and render them into sound English.

yet

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

From this reading Such masters were not at that time easily found; Princes that had been, and Kings that were to be, were not yet of the Teacher class, and no ruined nobility had dropped out of Tellson’s ledgers, to turn cooks and carpenters.

young

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

From this reading He read with young men who could find any leisure and interest for the study of a living tongue spoken all over the world, and he cultivated a taste for its stores of knowledge and fancy.