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Nedra
Nedra

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Nedra
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.
He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.
On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.
As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.
He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Nedra

Chapter XX

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.
Line 2
He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.
Line 3
On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.
Line 4
As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.
Line 5
He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.”

DISTRESS noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

alive

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

arose

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

awake

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

back

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

bay

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

beach

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

bend

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

better

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

blowing

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

called

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

From this reading He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.

cave

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

cool

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

dainty

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

days

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

direction

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

From this reading He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.

DISTRESSnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

eagerly

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

From this reading He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.

face

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

From this reading He called to her, and she turned her face eagerly in his direction.

fish

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

footprints

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

freely

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

hair

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

huge

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

imprint

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

inspected

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

keep

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

killed

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

ledge

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

made

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

meat

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

mouth

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

nine

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

number

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

own

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

placed

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

plunge

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

promised

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

quest

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

sand

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

saw

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

several

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

shell

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

SIGN

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

skirts

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

smiled

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

From this reading He smiled as he placed his own foot, a number nine, beside the dainty imprint.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

tour

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

turned

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

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.

turtle

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

waters

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

From this reading THE SIGN OF DISTRESS The next morning before she was awake he arose and made a tour of the beach in quest of shell fish, took a plunge in the cool waters of the bay, and again inspected the little footprints in the sand.

way

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading On his way back to the cave he killed a huge turtle, the meat of which he promised should keep them alive for several days, if nothing better could be found.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he turned the bend he saw her standing on the ledge at the mouth of the cave, the wind blowing her hair and skirts freely.