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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.
adorn
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From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
affairs
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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.
architect
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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.
aspect
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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 /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
black
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From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
bronze
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From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
building
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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.
city
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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.
completed
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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.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
few
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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.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
floor
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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.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
haste
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From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
hours
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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.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
Island
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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.
longer
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From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
marble
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From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
monument
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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.
mosaic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
occupy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
progressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
reliefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
sculptures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
serious
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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.
Serpent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
slabs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interior of the first story was nearly completed and the rough portion of the second was progressing.
surpassed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present slabs of polished black marble were to occupy the places intended for bronze reliefs; the utmost haste was necessary.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to wait longer for the sculptures which were to adorn the walls.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
workers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mosaic workers, who were making the floor of the great hall, had surpassed themselves.
