Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Mark Tidd, Editor
Mark Tidd, Editor

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for Mark Tidd, Editor
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.
I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.
Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.
Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.
“I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.
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.

Mark Tidd, Editor

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.
Line 2
I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.
Line 3
Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.
Line 4
Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.
Line 5
“I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

Learner Dictionary

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

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

any

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

believed

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

brains

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

calc'late

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

Circlers

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

claimed

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

clubs

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

common

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

contest

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

cook

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

Culturers

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

didn't

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

don't

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

faces

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

fussing

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

get

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

got

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

Grandma

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

Home

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

house

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

how

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

husbands

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

I'm

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

keeping

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

kids

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

like

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

Literary

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

matter

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

meals

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

most

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

Old

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

only

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

Probably

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

says

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

see

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

sense

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

Smedley

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

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

subscriptions

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

that's

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

there

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

things

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

town

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

wash

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

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Old Grandma Smedley claimed both clubs didn’t have any brains or they wouldn’t be fussing with such things.

woman

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

From this reading “I calc’late,” says she, “that I’m the only woman in town that’s got even common sense.

work

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

From this reading My, how those Home Culturers and Literary Circlers did work to get subscriptions for us.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I never would have believed it, and how any of them had time to cook their husbands’ meals, or wash their kids’ faces, I don’t see.

wouldn't

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

From this reading Probably they didn’t, for little things like keeping house wouldn’t matter when there was a contest on to see who had the most brains.