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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
areas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd better go back, Terry.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
belt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd better go back, Terry.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
distribution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
equipment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We'll get in trouble."
glistened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd better go back, Terry.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We'll get in trouble."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
knoll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
Mike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
Mike's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
milk-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/
sweat produced by the body
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
shapeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
smudge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
soot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
structure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
Terry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
training
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
trampled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
trimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We'll get in trouble."
tugged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
water's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
We'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd better go back, Terry.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We'll get in trouble."
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His equipment belt was heavy and he tugged again at it to change the distribution of its weight.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The ugly, black building stood out like a shapeless smudge of soot against the milk-white sky, but it was by sheer accident that Terry and Mike discovered it, built as it was at the water's edge where the high blue grass had been neither trampled nor trimmed, and at a distance further from the training areas than they had ever ventured.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mike's young body glistened with perspiration as he stood on the knoll with his brother, eyes still fastened to the low black structure as he spoke.
