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Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation
Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NEW QUARTERS.
Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:
"It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.
If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."
"What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NEW QUARTERS.
Line 2
Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:
Line 3
"It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.
Line 4
If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."
Line 5
"What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “"It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.”

Dick noun US /dick/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “"What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:”

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.

all

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

any

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

awake

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

best

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

Bob

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

bold

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

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

boys

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

change

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

congratulating

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

count

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

credit

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

credulity

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

daylight

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

Dick

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

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

find

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

give

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

he's

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

hour

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

isn't

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

laughing

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

made

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

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

more

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

nearly

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

NEW

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

From this reading NEW QUARTERS.

Newcombe

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

Newcombe's

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

night's

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

other

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

out

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

plan

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

QUARTERS

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

From this reading NEW QUARTERS.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

safely

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

said

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

shoot

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

smarter

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

some

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

spend

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

studying

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

success

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

then

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

very

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

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

vicinity

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

watched

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "It isn't best for us to spend all our time laughing at Newcombe, or we may find out that he's smarter than we give him credit of being.

wells

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

From this reading If we expect to shoot any more wells in this vicinity, we must change our quarters, for we can safely count on this being watched."

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What if it is?" cried Dick, their success having made him very bold.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said:

work

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

From this reading Until nearly daylight the boys remained awake, laughing over Newcombe's credulity, or congratulating each other on the success of that night's work, and then Bob, who for half an hour had been studying some plan, said: