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The Jungle
The Jungle

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Jungle
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.
In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.
It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.
Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!
Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!
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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 Jungle

Chapter VII

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

Line 1
All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.
Line 2
In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.
Line 3
It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.
Line 4
Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!
Line 5
Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

Learner Dictionary

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

Agony noun US /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading “It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.”

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading “Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!”

Cruel adjective US /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading “It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!”

All words in this reading · 72

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

according

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

acquaintances

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

All

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

bitter

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

briefest

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

came

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

debt

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

decency

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

despair

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

dollars

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

enough

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

experience

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

fall

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

family

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

hall

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

hearts

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

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

hired

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

home

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

hundred

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

invited

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

Jurgis

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

latter

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

loved

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

made

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

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

married

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

money

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

new

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

November

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

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

Ona

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

other

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

pitiful

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

plunged

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

respite

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

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Such a pitiful beginning it was for their married life; they loved each other so, and they could not have the briefest respite!

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

summer

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

tender

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

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

times

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

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

toiled

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

traditions

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

From this reading All summer long the family toiled, and in the fall they had money enough for Jurgis and Ona to be married according to home traditions of decency.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a bitter and cruel experience, and it plunged them into an agony of despair.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Such a time, of all times, for them to have it, when their hearts were made tender!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading In the latter part of November they hired a hall, and invited all their new acquaintances, who came and left them over a hundred dollars in debt.