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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
acts
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
affair
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From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
air
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
all
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
animals
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
audience
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From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
came
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
camels
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
carts
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
Casso's
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From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
chariots
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
CIRCUS
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
close
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
clowns
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From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
consequently
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
elephants
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
get
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
given
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From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
HAPPENED
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
horses
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
hour
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
inspecting
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
interest
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
kept
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From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
lads
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
laughter
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From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
less
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
main
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
menagerie
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
much
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
novelty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
ponies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
procession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
racing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
Railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
riders
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
rings
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
roar
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From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
seen
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
show
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
Shows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
spent
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
tent
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From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
there
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From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
thrilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
trapeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
United
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephants and camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came the acts, all of more or less thrilling interest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, and the performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upon a trapeze in the air between the tent poles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were six clowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They spent half an hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, and then took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as they could get.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the show had much of the air of novelty about it for them.
