Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Lister's Great Adventure
Lister's Great Adventure

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for Lister's Great Adventure
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.
The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.
The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.
In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.
A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Lister's Great Adventure

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.
Line 2
The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.
Line 3
The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.
Line 4
In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.
Line 5
A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

awning

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

belt

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

breeze

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

bubbles

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

burned

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

canvas

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

cool

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

crossed

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

days

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

dazzling

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

deck

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

dull

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

factory

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

fell

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

few

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

front

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

frothy

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

FUEL

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

gave

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

green

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

hulk

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

lengthened

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

Lister

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

made

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

oily

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

out

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

paint

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

patch

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

place

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

played

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

PROBLEM

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

reflections

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

row

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

sat

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

sea

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

shade

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

slowly

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

smelt

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

some

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

sprung

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

stretched

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

sun

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

From this reading The paint on the canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not front the sun on the open deck.

surface

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

swell

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

tarpaulin

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

then

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

From this reading A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

up

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

From this reading The sea breeze had not sprung up and dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell.

visit

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

From this reading A FUEL PROBLEM A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

water

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.

wreck

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

From this reading In one place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.