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Five Children and It
Five Children and It

Chapter I · Chapter I: Beautiful as the Day

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

Wishes are strange things; they have a way of coming true when you least expect it.

Cover illustration for Five Children and It
Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?
And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?
The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.
The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.
The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.
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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.

Five Children and It

Chapter I · Chapter I: Beautiful as the Day

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

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?
Line 2
And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?
Line 3
The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.
Line 4
The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.
Line 5
The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.
All words in this reading · 82

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 And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

about

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

air

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

along

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

and

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

Anthea

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

Are

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

Baa

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

baby

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

because

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

before

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

began

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

but

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

called

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

carriage

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

children

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

cliffs

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

country

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

Cyril

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

day

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

dusty

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

eldest

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

ever

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

every

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

explore

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

first

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

five

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

fly

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

for

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

from

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

full

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

gravel-pit

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

great

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

had

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

he

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

heads

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

hired

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

house

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

in

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

is

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

it

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

Jane

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

Lamb

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

miles

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

minutes

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

nearly

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

next

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

not

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

of

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

often

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

Oh

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

out

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

passed

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

put

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

rattled

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

Robert

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

said

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

sand-pit

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

say

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

smell

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

station

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

sweet-brier

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

The

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

their

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

there

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

they

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

this

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

three

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

thyme

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

time

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

to

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

very

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

was

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

we

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

went

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

From this reading The next day they went to explore the great sand-pit.

were

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

which

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

From this reading And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they said, Oh, is this it?

white

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

who

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

wild

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

From this reading The house was in the country, and there were white cliffs, and there was a gravel-pit, and the air was full of the smell of wild thyme and sweet-brier.

window

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

From this reading The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and say, Are we nearly there?

word

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

From this reading The children were Cyril, who was the eldest, and Anthea, and Robert, and Jane, and the baby, who was called the Lamb because Baa was the first word he ever said.

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter I: Beautiful as the Day?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattl...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: The house was about three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their he
Narrator: They began to dig caves in the sand, and Cyril said: Let us dig right down to Australia and see if the people there really walk with their heads downw