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Through the Looking-Glass
Through the Looking-Glass

Chapter II · The Garden of Live Flowers

The Garden of Live Flowers, section 1: “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—”
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.
But how curiously it twists!
It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!
Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!
This goes straight back to the house!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Through the Looking-Glass

Chapter II · The Garden of Live Flowers

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.
Line 2
But how curiously it twists!
Line 3
It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!
Line 4
Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!
Line 5
This goes straight back to the house!

Learner Dictionary

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

far adverb US /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading ““I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.”

garden noun US /ˈɡɑːrdən/

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading ““I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.”

see verb US /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading ““I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.”

should modal verb US /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading ““I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.”

All words in this reading · 57

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 “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

Alice

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

back

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

From this reading This goes straight back to the house!

better

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

corkscrew

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

From this reading It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!

corners

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

curiously

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

From this reading But how curiously it twists!

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

doesn't

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

few

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

get

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

goes

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

From this reading Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!

going

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

here's

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

hill

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

house

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

From this reading This goes straight back to the house!

how

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

From this reading But how curiously it twists!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

It's

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

From this reading It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

leads

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

like

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

From this reading It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!

more

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

From this reading It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

path

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

said

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

several

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

sharp

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

straight

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It’s more like a corkscrew than a path!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

top

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

turn

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

From this reading Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!

turning

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

twists

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

From this reading But how curiously it twists!

Well

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

From this reading Well, _this_ turn goes to the hill, I suppose—no, it doesn’t!

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.

yards

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

From this reading “I should see the garden far better,” said Alice to herself, “if I could get to the top of that hill: and here’s a path that leads straight to it—at least, no, it doesn’t do that—” (after going a few yards along the path, and turning several sharp corners), “but I suppose it will at last.