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The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack
The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack is here in full — 474 sentences across 95 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack
Context Illustration Reading 1/94 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Author of Old Mother West Wind,” The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.
Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't Yes,” said he in a low voice, I am Mr. Quack
Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.
It means more knowledge.
You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack is here in full — 474 sentences across 95 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/94 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Author ofOld Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.
Line 2
Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling PoolSome folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack
Line 3
Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.
Line 4
It means more knowledge.
/ɪt miːnz mɔːr ˈnɑːlədʒ/
Line 5
You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Alligator noun US /ˈæləɡeɪtər/

leather made from alligator's hide

From this reading ““Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack””

Bedtime noun US /ˈbedtaɪm/

the time you go to bed

From this reading “Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.”

Gator noun US /ˈɡeɪtər/

either of two amphibious reptiles related to crocodiles but with shorter broader snouts

From this reading ““Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack””

helpful adjective US /ˈhelpfəl/

providing assistance or serving a useful function

From this reading “Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.”

Paddy noun US /ˈpædi/

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent

From this reading “Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.”

Quack noun US /kwæk/

an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice

From this reading ““Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack””

swamps noun US /swɑːmps/

plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog

From this reading ““Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack””

tuck verb US /tʌk/

fit snugly into

From this reading ““Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack””

All words in this reading · 97

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

AlligatornounUS /ˈæləɡeɪtər/

leather made from alligator's hide

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

BeavernounUS /ˈbiːvər/

the soft brown fur of the beaver

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

BedtimenounUS /ˈbedtaɪm/

the time you go to bed

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

can't

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

cannot

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

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/

past form of “circle” — travel around something

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

earsnounUS /ɪrz/

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

emptyverbUS /ˈempti/

make void or empty of contents

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

etc

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

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

GatornounUS /ˈɡeɪtər/

either of two amphibious reptiles related to crocodiles but with shorter broader snouts

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

helpfuladjectiveUS /ˈhelpfəl/

providing assistance or serving a useful function

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading It means more knowledge.

learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

MakeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

MarshesnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəz/

plural of “marsh” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading It means more knowledge.

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It means more knowledge.

MothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

PaddynounUS /ˈpædi/

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

PeternounUS /ˈpiːtər/

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

pondnounUS /pɑːnd/

a small lake

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

PoolnounUS /puːl/

an excavation that is (usually) filled with water

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

QuacknounUS /kwæk/

an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

RabbitnounUS /ˈræbət/

any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

SeveraladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

SmilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

Story-Books

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

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

swampsnounUS /swɑːmps/

plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

tuckverbUS /tʌk/

fit snugly into

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

venturedverbUS /ˈventʃərd/

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

WindnounUS /waɪnd/

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Author of “Old Mother West Wind,” “The Bedtime Story-Books,” etc.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

You'll

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

From this reading Those were happy days indeed for Mr. and Mrs. Quack in the pond of Paddy the Beaver Make a new acquaintance every time you can; You'll find it interesting and a very helpful plan.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You cannot meet any one without learning something from him if you keep your ears open and your eyes open.

yourspronounUS /jʊrz/

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading “Marshes must be something like swamps,” ventured Peter Rabbit Several times she circled around, high over the Smiling Pool “Some folks call him Alligator and some just 'Gator'” “Just tuck that fact away in that empty head of yours and never say can't” “Yes,” said he in a low voice, “I am Mr. Quack”

Chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess holds 474 sentences, grouped into 95 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack contain?

Chapter 1 holds 474 sentences of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack, unabridged, divided into 95 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 474 sentences, grouped into 95 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack?

Work through the 95 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 95 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack

Common questions about reading The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack?

Yes. All 934 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5846 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5846, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack take to read?

About 77 minutes of reading across 187 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack section by section

How to work through The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 2 chapters of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mother
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bedtime
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story-books
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.