adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
adornverbUS /əˈdɔːrn/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
architectnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekt/
someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
aspectnounUS /ˈæspekt/
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
bronzenounUS /brɑːnz/
an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
hastenounUS /heɪst/
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
IslandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
monumentnounUS /ˈmɑːnjuːmənt/
a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
mosaicnounUS /moʊˈzeɪɪk/
art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
progressingverbUS /prəˈɡresɪŋ/
-ing form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
pushedverbUS /pʊʃt/
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
reliefsnounUS /riˈliːfs/
plural of “relief” — the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
sculpturesnounUS /ˈskʌlptʃərz/
plural of “sculpture” — a three-dimensional work of plastic art
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
SerpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
slabsnounUS /slæbz/
plural of “slab” — block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
surpassedverbUS /sərˈpæst/
past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
utmostadjectiveUS /ˈʌtmoʊst/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
waitverbUS /weɪt/
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
wearverbUS /wer/
be dressed in
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This time the architect could spend only a few hours on the Serpent Island, for affairs in the city were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and the building of the monument was pushed forward even during the night.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
