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The Big Idea
The Big Idea

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Big Idea
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
JIMMY PLAYS TRUMPS.
The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.
Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.
These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.
Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.
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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.

The Big Idea

Chapter VII

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
JIMMY PLAYS TRUMPS.
Line 2
The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.
Line 3
Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.
Line 4
These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.
Line 5
Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.”

All words in this reading · 59

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

absence

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

advantage

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

all

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

avoided

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

avoiding

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

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

away

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

business

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

carefully

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

caused

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

change

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

eleventh-hour

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

employer's

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

fate

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

Hope

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

JIMMY

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

From this reading JIMMY PLAYS TRUMPS.

laid

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

Leffingwell

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

manager

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

Mr

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

occurrences

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

office

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

own

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

plans

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

PLAYS

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

From this reading JIMMY PLAYS TRUMPS.

possible

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

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

preparing

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

president's

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

return

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

scene

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

stayed

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

supposed

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

taken

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

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

trouble

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

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

TRUMPS

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

From this reading JIMMY PLAYS TRUMPS.

Tuesday

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

two

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

From this reading These two occurrences caused an eleventh-hour change in the plans of Jimmy and the office manager.

unexpected

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

unpleasant

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

Wentworth

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

From this reading The unpleasant scene that fate seemed preparing for Mr. Wentworth in his office that Tuesday afternoon was avoided by the president’s unexpected return on Tuesday morning.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Jimmy was for avoiding trouble if it were possible.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Leffingwell Hope, with his plans all carefully laid, had taken advantage of his employer’s supposed absence, and stayed away on business of his own.