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Fighting in Cuban Waters
Fighting in Cuban Waters

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Fighting in Cuban Waters
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.
The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.
To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.
"They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.
"I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
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Fighting in Cuban Waters

Chapter IX

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.
Line 2
The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.
Line 3
To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.
Line 4
"They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.
Line 5
"I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

Learner Dictionary

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

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “"I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “"They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.”

BEHIND preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.”

All words in this reading · 79

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

all

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

alongshore

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

also

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

anchor

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

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

Bay

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

BEHINDprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

buzz

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

captains

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

Chesapeake

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

concealed

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

cruiser

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

dark

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

distance

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

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

entrance

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

excitement

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

expected

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

family

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

Fortress

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

frowning

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

good-by

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

GUNS

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

heavy

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

intended

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

just

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

MEN

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

Minneapolis

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

Monroe

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

New

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

off

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

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

old

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

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

Orleans

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

Paul

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

protect

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

protected

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

reached

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

rode

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

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

said

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

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

saw

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

saying

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

From this reading "I know because I saw one of the captains saying good-by to his family.

seen

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

soldier

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

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

some

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

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

squadron

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

St

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

From this reading To the squadron had just been added the protected cruiser _Minneapolis_, and the _New Orleans_ and _St. Paul_ were also expected, and all was a buzz of excitement alongshore.

sturdy

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

They'll

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

From this reading "They'll be off before long," said one old soldier.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

walls

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

warships

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

From this reading The warships rode at anchor some distance beyond.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS By the time Fortress Monroe was reached it was quite dark, so but little could be seen outside of those sturdy and frowning walls behind which were concealed the heavy guns intended to protect the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.