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The old Worcester jug
The old Worcester jug

Chapter X

Cover illustration for The old Worcester jug
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.
ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.
He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.
But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.
"Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?
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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 old Worcester jug

Chapter X

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.
Line 2
ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.
Line 3
He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.
Line 4
But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.
Line 5
"Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

ALTHOUGH noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?”

Insisted verb US /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.”

All words in this reading · 65

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

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

ALTHOUGHnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

always

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

awoke

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

Doctor's

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

duster

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

empty

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

exclaimed

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

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

felt

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

find

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

goes

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

going

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

grandfather

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

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

Griffin

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

hand

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

House

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

John

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

jug

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

Maggie

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

Oh

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

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

place

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

poorly

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

ran

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

ready

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

rising

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

self-appointed

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

shop

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

From this reading He had not been long in the shop, when little Maggie ran in, duster in hand, ready for her self-appointed duty.

spot

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Maggie goes to the Doctor's House.

turning

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

usual

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

very

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading But, turning to the spot where the jug had always stood, she was surprised to find its place empty.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?

work

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

From this reading ALTHOUGH when he awoke the next morning he felt very poorly, John Griffin insisted on rising and going about his work as usual.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Oh, grandfather," she exclaimed, "what have you done with my jug?