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Space Tug
Space Tug

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Space Tug
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.
Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.
Small diesels rumbled.
Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.
Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.
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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.

Space Tug

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.
Line 2
Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.
Line 3
Small diesels rumbled.
Line 4
Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.
Line 5
Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.”

Per preposition US /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading “Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.”

Spinning noun US /ˈspɪnɪŋ/

the act of making thread from fibers

From this reading “Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.”

All words in this reading · 66

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

20,000

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

all

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

Bootstrap

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

burned

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

busses

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

butter

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

change-shift

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

continually

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

Convoys

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

cut

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

day

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

diesels

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

From this reading Small diesels rumbled.

Disk

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

doorway

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

drilled

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

Drills

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

expanse

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

hammered

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

hammers

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

impractical

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

like

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

men

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

metal

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

method

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

minute

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

motor

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

moving

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

out

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

perprepositionUS /pɜːr/

for each

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

rate

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

resounded

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

revolutions

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

rolled

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

rumbled

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

From this reading Small diesels rumbled.

saws

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

Security

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

seemingly

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

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

Shed

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

Small

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

From this reading Small diesels rumbled.

spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/

the act of making thread from fibers

From this reading Disk saws cut metal like butter by the seemingly impractical method of spinning at 20,000 revolutions per minute.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

Then

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

there

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

torches

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

From this reading Drills drilled and torches burned and hammers hammered.

turned

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

two

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

vast

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Convoys of motor busses rolled out from Bootstrap at change-shift time, and there were again Security men at every doorway, moving continually about.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.

work

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

From this reading Then they began to be turned out at the rate of two a day, and all the vast expanse of the Shed resounded with the work on them.