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"My Novel" — Volume 08
"My Novel" — Volume 08

Chapter XIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
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On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.
These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.
True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."
True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.
But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

"My Novel" — Volume 08

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.
Line 2
These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.
Line 3
True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."
Line 4
True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.
Line 5
But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."”

Divided noun US /ˈdivided/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.”

Mixed verb US /mɪkst/

involved with or connected to

From this reading “On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."”

All words in this reading · 89

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 True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

anticipated

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

approaching

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

Cabinet

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

certain

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

changes

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

clubs

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

contradictory

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

depended

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

dividednounUS /ˈdivided/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

downfall

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

ears

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

familiar

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

few

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

form

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

general

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

Government

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

heads

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

heard

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

hour

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

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

identified

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

important

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

members

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

Ministers

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

mixedverbUS /mɪkst/

involved with or connected to

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

more

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

most

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

names

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

official

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

opposed

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

Opposition

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

parliament

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

partial

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

policy

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

power

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

probable

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

public

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

Randal's

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

return

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

rumours

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

sagacious

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

said

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

session

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

shaken

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

some

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

sprung

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

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

station

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

streets

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

strengthened

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

there

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

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

town

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

From this reading On Randal's return to town, he heard mixed and contradictory rumours in the streets, and at the clubs, of the probable downfall of the Government at the approaching session of parliament.

True

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

From this reading True that, for some time, the sagacious had shaken their heads and said, "Ministers could not last."

two

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

up

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

From this reading These rumours had sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But still the more important members of that Government had been so long identified with official station, and there seemed so little power in the Opposition to form a Cabinet of names familiar to official ears, that the general public had anticipated, at most, a few partial changes.

year

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

From this reading True, that certain changes in policy, a year or two before, had divided the party on which the Government depended, and strengthened that which opposed it.