Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
On The Blockade
On The Blockade

Chapter III

Cover illustration for On The Blockade
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.
For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.
"That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.
"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.
"I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

On The Blockade

Chapter III

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.
Line 2
For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.
Line 3
"That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.
Line 4
"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.
Line 5
"I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.”

Flint noun US /flint/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

attention

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

back

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

board

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

From this reading "I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

came

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

From this reading "I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.

Christy

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

commander

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

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

day

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

From this reading "I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.

DEAF

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

dismissed

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

DUMB

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

few

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

fixed

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

Flint

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

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

hand

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

handed

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

interest

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

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

leaf

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

lieutenant

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

looking

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

man

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

moments

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

Mulgrum

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

MYSTERY

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

noticed

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

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

off

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

own

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

owner

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

paper

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

position

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

reason

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

said

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

some

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

studying

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

From this reading For a few moments, he said nothing, and had his attention fixed on the paper in his hand, which he seemed to be studying for some reason of his own.

tablet

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

talk

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

From this reading "I had some talk with him on his tablet the day he came on board.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

tore

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

very

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I had noticed that before," replied Flint, as the commander handed him the paper, which he looked over with interest.

writes

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

From this reading "That man writes a very good hand for one in his position," said he, looking at the first lieutenant.

written

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

From this reading A DEAF AND DUMB MYSTERY As he dismissed Mulgrum, Christy tore off the leaf from the tablet on which both of them had written before he handed it back to the owner.