Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Northern Light
The Northern Light

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Northern Light
Context Illustration Reading 1/107 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.
Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.
The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.
His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.
The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Northern Light

Chapter XII

Reading 1/107 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.
Line 2
Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.
Line 3
The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.
Line 4
His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.
Line 5
The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.”

Meantime noun US /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading “The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.”

Splendor noun US /ˈsplen.dər/

Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.

From this reading “The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

ambassador

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

approaching

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

capital

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

coming

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

death

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

desire

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

discharge

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

duties

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

early

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

entered

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

Extensive

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

father-in-law's

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

following

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

furnished

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

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

give

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

government

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

heiress

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

house

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

immediately

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

incumbent

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

made

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

magnificent

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

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

many

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

mark

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

marriage

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

now

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

numerous

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

obligations

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

official

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

past

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

position

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

possible

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

preparations

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

present

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

Prussian

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

reception

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

representative

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

residence

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

season

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

social

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

southern

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/

Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

spring

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

summer

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

taken

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

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

things

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

From this reading His marriage to an heiress made many pleasant things possible to him now, and his great desire was to make his residence one of mark in the southern capital.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

visits

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

Wallmoden

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

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

week

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

From this reading The following week he was to give his first reception, and in the meantime, numerous visits had to be made.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Extensive preparations for the approaching social season were being made at the house of the Prussian ambassador.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The magnificent house which he had taken was furnished with great splendor.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Wallmoden had entered upon the duties of his present official position early in the past spring, but his father-in-law's death following immediately after, and the summer coming on, he had as yet done nothing to discharge the social obligations incumbent upon him as the representative of a great government.