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 Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
agape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
AnothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
arid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
contended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
crawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
Earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
Earthlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
fauna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
greet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
hot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
hotly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
jaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
jungle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
layers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
maintained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
man-eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
moisture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading But nobody knew, of course.
obscuring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
observers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
penetrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
planet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
planet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
populated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
prognosticated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
sandstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
serpents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
sunlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
Venus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others prognosticated an ocean planet with little or no solid ground at all, populated by enormous serpents waiting to greet the first Earthlings with jaws agape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before the first ship from Earth made a landing on Venus, there was much speculation about what might be found beneath the cloud layers obscuring that planet's surface from the eyes of all observers.
whipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
wind-carved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Another group contended hotly that Venus was an arid desert of wind-carved sandstone, dry and cruel, whipping dust into clouds that sunlight could never penetrate.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
writhing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One school of thought maintained that the surface of Venus was a jungle, rank with hot-house moisture, crawling with writhing fauna and man-eating flowers.
