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

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for The Young Surveyor
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."
The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.
"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.
Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.
And I shall want a pail of water."
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 Young Surveyor

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."
Line 2
The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.
Line 3
"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.
Line 4
Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.
Line 5
And I shall want a pail of water."

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 “The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “And I shall want a pail of water."”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “"In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.”

All words in this reading · 56

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

any

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

BIT

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

From this reading JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."

boys

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

bushes

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

dinner

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

door

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

ENGINEERING

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

From this reading JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

Get

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

got

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

hidden

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

intervening

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

Jack

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

JACK'S

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

From this reading JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."

looking

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JACK'S "BIT OF ENGINEERING."

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

pail

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

From this reading And I shall want a pail of water."

piece

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

place

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

ridge

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

said

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading And I shall want a pail of water."

shingle

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

spring

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

strip

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The boys got around Jack after dinner, and asked him about that bit of engineering.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

want

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

From this reading And I shall want a pail of water."

water

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

From this reading And I shall want a pail of water."

water-level

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

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "In the first place," said Jack, standing outside the door, and looking over toward the spring, hidden by intervening bushes on a ridge, "we must have a water-level, and I think I can make one.

wood

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

From this reading Get me a piece of shingle, or any thin strip of wood.