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Peggy Raymond's Vacation
Peggy Raymond's Vacation

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Peggy Raymond's Vacation
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.
In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.
"I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.
"I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.
What's the matter with a picnic?"
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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.

Peggy Raymond's Vacation

Chapter VI

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.
Line 2
In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.
Line 3
"I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.
Line 4
"I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.
Line 5
What's the matter with a picnic?"

Learner Dictionary

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

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading “In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.”

Fourth noun US /fourth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.”

Responsible adjective US /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/

having a duty to protect or manage something

From this reading “THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

Amy

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

ants

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

awakened

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

closer

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

completely

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

cottage

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

country

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

declared

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

direction

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

eating

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

failed

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

feel

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

FourthnounUS /fourth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

girls

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

grass

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

heart

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

I'm

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

inspiring

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

July

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

longing

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

magic

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

materialize

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

matter

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

From this reading What's the matter with a picnic?"

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

new

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

off

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

out

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

pick

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

PICNIC

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

porch

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

really

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

responsibleadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/

having a duty to protect or manage something

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

sandwiches

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

satisfied

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

shading

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

sit

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

stay

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

table

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

things

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

thoughts

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

tired

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

From this reading "I'm tired of eating off a table," Amy declared.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

turning

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

view

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

vines

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

want

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

From this reading "I want to sit on the grass, and pick ants out of my sandwiches, and feel as if I was really in the country.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE PICNIC Though the Fourth of July picnic had failed to materialize, it was responsible for turning the thoughts of the girls in a new direction.

What's

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

From this reading What's the matter with a picnic?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.

word

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

From this reading In the beginning of their stay the cottage porch with its shading vines and inspiring view, had satisfied them completely, but the magic of the word "picnic" had awakened a longing to come a little closer to the heart of things.