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 next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
commanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
despondent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
doctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
element
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
governess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
Jamaica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
Kingston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
local
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
nearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
Regent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
second-rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
ship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The ship's doctor was despondent about her; but he was a second-rate man, and felt that perhaps an island doctor might give her some hope.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day came a new element in the situation: a ship arrived from England.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
Town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was carried ashore she was at once removed to the home of the general commanding at Spanish Town, and there a local doctor saw her.
troops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She had been ill for a week before nearing Kingston, and when the Regent reached the harbour she was in a bad way.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On it was one who had come to Jamaica to act as governess to two children of the officer commanding the regular troops in the island.
