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Ranching for Sylvia
Ranching for Sylvia

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Ranching for Sylvia
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.
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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.

Ranching for Sylvia

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.
Line 2
Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.
Line 3
Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.
Line 4
It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.
Line 5
George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.”

Bluff adjective US /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading “A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.”

Center noun US /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading “George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.”

Leafless adjective US /ˈliːfləs/

having no leaves, usually because of the season

From this reading “Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

Scarce adjective US /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading “Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.”

Waste noun US /weɪst/

an empty, uncultivated area of land

From this reading “Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

afforded

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

almost

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

anxiously

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

any

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

bitter

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

BLIZZARD

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

bluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

branches

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

clearing

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

closely

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

cold

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

cutting

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

difficult

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

dimness

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

dressed

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

Edgar

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

face

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

fallen

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

far

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

fuel

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

furs

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

George

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

glanced

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

gray

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

Grierson

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

hewing

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

hired

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

horizon

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

joined

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

leaflessadjectiveUS /ˈliːfləs/

having no leaves, usually because of the season

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

levels

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

looking

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

man

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

massed

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

narrowed

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

off

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

once

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

OutsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

poplar

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

prairie

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

river

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

rows

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

searched

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

see

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

From this reading It was, however, difficult to see far, because a gray dimness narrowed in the horizon.

severe

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

shelter

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

sign

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

size

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

sledge

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

slender

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

snow-flecked

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

snowy

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

some

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

strewn

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

team

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

too

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

trees

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

trunks

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

twice

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

valleys

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

From this reading Except in the river valleys, trees of any size are scarce on the prairie, but the slender trunks and leafless branches were closely massed and afforded a little shelter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

wastenounUS /weɪst/

an empty, uncultivated area of land

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading George stood, dressed in snow-flecked furs, in the center of a little clearing strewn with rows of fallen trunks from which he was hewing off the branches.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A BLIZZARD A bitter wind searched the poplar bluff where George and his hired man, Grierson, were cutting fuel.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Outside on the open waste, the cold was almost too severe to face, and George once or twice glanced anxiously across the snowy levels, looking for some sign of Edgar, who should have joined them with the team and sledge.