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The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Secret Garden is here in full — 167 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Two days after this, when Mary opened her eyes she sat upright in bed immediately, and called to Martha.

Cover illustration for The Secret Garden
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.
She turned it over and over, and thought about it.
As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.
All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.
It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.
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 Secret Garden

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Secret Garden is here in full — 167 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.
Line 2
She turned it over and over, and thought about it.
Line 3
As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.
Line 4
All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.
Line 5
It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.”

All words in this reading · 62

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

about

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

All

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

and

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

As

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

ask

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

at

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

because

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

From this reading It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

been

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

before

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

child

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

closed

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

consult

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

could

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

door

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

elders

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

find

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

garden

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

had

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

happened

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

have

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

her

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

I

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

if

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

inside

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

it

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

key

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

long

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

looked

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

not

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

old

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

or

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

out

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

over

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

perhaps

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

permission

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

quite

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

ROBIN

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

rose-trees

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

said

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

see

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

She

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

SHOWED

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

shut

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

From this reading It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

so

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

From this reading It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

that

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

THE

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

things

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

thought

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

time

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

to

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

trained

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

turned

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

From this reading She turned it over and over, and thought about it.

up

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

From this reading It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

walls

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

wanted

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

From this reading It was because it had been shut up so long that she wanted to see it.

was

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

From this reading As I have said before, she was not a child who had been trained to ask permission or consult her elders about things.

WAY

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

what

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

where

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

From this reading All she thought about the key was that if it was the key to the closed garden, and she could find out where the door was, she could perhaps open it and see what was inside the walls, and what had happened to the old rose-trees.

WHO

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

From this reading THE ROBIN WHO SHOWED THE WAY She looked at the key quite a long time.

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 07: The Key To The Garden?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "Two days after this, when Mary opened her eyes she sat upright in bed...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: Two days after this, when Mary opened her eyes she sat upright in bed
Narrator: The high, deep, blue sky arched over Misselthwaite as

Chapter 8 of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett holds 167 sentences, grouped into 34 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 8 of The Secret Garden contain?

Chapter 8 holds 167 sentences of The Secret Garden, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 167 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 8 of The Secret Garden?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Secret Garden

Common questions about reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Secret Garden?

Yes. All 5579 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #113 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Secret Garden is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #113, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Secret Garden take to read?

About 464 minutes of reading across 1116 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Secret Garden section by section

How to work through The Secret Garden section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of The Secret Garden to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Secret Garden

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Secret Garden, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Lennox
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Misselthwaite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Manor
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uncle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Garden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.