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Seek and Find

Chapter XX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.
THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.
If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.
While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.
I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.
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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.

Seek and Find

Chapter XX

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.
Line 2
THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.
Line 3
If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.
Line 4
While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.
Line 5
I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.”

HAS auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

any

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

BAD

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

BLOW

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

carriage

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

chances

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

circumstances

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

committed

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

considering

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

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

demonstration

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

desperate

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

doing

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

door

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

driver

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

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

ERNEST

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

FALL

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

favorable

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

greater

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

heard

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

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

HEAVY

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

jumped

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

Kate

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

listened

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

making

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

man

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

more

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

opened

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

other

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

out

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

place

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

raised

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

reply

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

secure

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

speak

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

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

STRIKES

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading If I had been alone I should have opened the door and jumped out; but Kate could not do this.

THORNTON

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

TOM

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

up

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE chances for making a demonstration were not favorable; but the more desperate the circumstances, the greater was the need of doing something before we were committed to any place more secure than a carriage.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW, AND TOM THORNTON HAS A BAD FALL.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While I was considering what I could do, I heard the driver speak.

window

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

From this reading I raised myself up to the window, and listened for the reply of the other man.