Chapter IX · Beginning the Test

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

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

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

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

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

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

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

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

strongly attracted

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

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

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

-ing form of “distinguish” — mark as different

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

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

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

plural of “example” — an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

past form of “exert” — put to use

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

the organ of sight

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

anything that contributes causally to a result

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

yet to be or coming

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

cheerfully irresponsible

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

having no employment

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

and nothing more

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

set down according to a plan

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

in the recent past

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

the next day

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

plural of “politician” — a leader engaged in civil administration

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

having great influence

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

on the contrary

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

an educational institution

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

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

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

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

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

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

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

during the time that

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.

which person or people

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Perhaps the most distinguishing peculiarity of the class, however, was the influence exerted by a group of boys, with some of whom we have become acquainted.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Just why the Safety First Club (lately the Adelphi) should have been so potent a factor was not easily explained.

plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation

From this reading It had its bright boys and girls and its dullards; its examples of industry and of idleness; its workers and its shirkers; its happy-go-lucky members, who made the most of the day without thought of the morrow, and its budding politicians, who laid wires and pulled them with an eye to future advantage.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading The junior class of the Plainville High School probably was neither much better nor much worse than the classes which had preceded it, and the other classes which were following it, along the paths of knowledge.

plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading The faculty, which had suspicion rather than understanding of the fact, did not try to explain it, while certain ambitious youths, not of the charmed circle, insisted that it could not be made clear.