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The Gold Trail
The Gold Trail

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Gold Trail
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Gold Trail

Chapter I

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

Line 1
Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.
Line 2
He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.
Line 3
He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.
Line 4
If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.
Line 5
However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Track noun US /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading “Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

also

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

any

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

aside

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

beckoned

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

car

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

Cassidy

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

cubic

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

doing

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

engaged

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

exactly

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

eyes

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

fell

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

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

flat

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

flinging

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

gang

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

glance

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

gravel

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

grimly

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

handled

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

hard

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

how

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

knew

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

less

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

long-hafted

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

looking

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

man

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

many

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

men

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

moment

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

others

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

pace

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

particular

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

quantity

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

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

quickened

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

said

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

satisfy

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

saw

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

several

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

shovel

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

soil

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

strode

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

there

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

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

tracknounUS /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

trouble

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

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

twinkle

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

two

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

up

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

usually

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

From this reading If the quantity fell short, there was usually trouble.

utmost

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

Weston

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

whimsical

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

From this reading However, he said nothing to the others that morning, but beckoned Weston aside, and stood a moment or two looking at him, with a grimly whimsical twinkle in his eyes.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

working

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

From this reading Weston was engaged with several others flinging gravel into a flat car with a long-hafted shovel the next morning when Cassidy strode up the track; and, though the men already had been working hard, they quickened the pace a little when they saw him.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He could tell at a glance whether a man were doing his utmost, and nothing less would satisfy him.

yards

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

From this reading He knew also exactly how many cubic yards of soil or gravel could be handled by any particular gang.