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 I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
all
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From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
back
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
broadened
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From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
bumping
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From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
burrow
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
burrow-roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
careless
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From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
CAVE
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From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
CLIFF
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From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
coastguards
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From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
die
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
down
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From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
ears
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From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
else
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From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
erect
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From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
expected
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From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
fell
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From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
get
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
hole
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From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
how
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
kneel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
nerved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
once
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
Presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
rat
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From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
ribs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
stifled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My one thought was, "I shall save the coastguards," and that thought nerved me to push on, careless of everything else.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
thumping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
trap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think how I was to get back again; it never once occurred to me that I might stick in the burrow, and die stifled there, like a rat in a trap.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not at all easy at first, for the earth fell in my ears from the burrow-roof, and there was very little room for my body.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Presently, as I had expected, the burrow broadened out--I could kneel erect in it quite easily; and then I found that I could stand up without bumping my head.
wriggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAVE IN THE CLIFF My heart was thumping on my ribs as I thrust and wriggled my body down the hole.
