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 It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
advantages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
advertisements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
benefit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
Castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
Cliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
delivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
Fortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
histories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
latter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
mails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
maps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
Mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
Merrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
naval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
postmasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
schooling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
stocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
superior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him.
