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Tom Slade in the north woods
Tom Slade in the north woods

Chapter XVII · Baffled

Chapter XVII of Tom Slade in the north woods, “Baffled,” is here in full — 86 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tom Slade in the north woods
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.
Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.
Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.
Charlie Rivers was doing this work.
Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.
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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.

Tom Slade in the north woods

Chapter XVII · Baffled

Chapter XVII of Tom Slade in the north woods, “Baffled,” is here in full — 86 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.
/wiː hæd tʃɑːpt daʊn ə ˈnʌmbər ʌv triːz tuː ˈoʊ.pən ə ˈbetər ˈwæɡən treɪl tuː kæmp ənd ðə stʌmps ʌv ðiːz stʊd æt ˈɪntərvəlz əˈlɔːŋ ðɪs ˌɪmˈpruːvd əˈproʊtʃ/
Line 2
Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.
Line 3
Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.
/weˈrevər tuː ˈweɪsaɪd stʌmps wɜːr nɪr ɪˈnʌf təˈɡeðər ə bɔːrd wɑːz neɪld əˈkrɔːs ðem wɪð əˈnʌðər bɔːrd æz ə rʌf bæk/
Line 4
Charlie Rivers was doing this work.
Line 5
Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

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.

chopped adjective US /tʃɑːpt/

prepared by cutting

From this reading “We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.”

connecting verb US /kəˈnektɪŋ/

-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading “Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.”

decorating verb US /ˈdekəreɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “decorate” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading “Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.”

designations noun US /ˌdezəɡˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “designation” — identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others

From this reading “Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.”

naming noun US /ˈneɪmɪŋ/

the verbal act of naming

From this reading “Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.”

notables noun US /ˈnoʊtəbəlz/

plural of “notable” — a celebrity who is an inspiration to others

From this reading “Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.”

stumps noun US /stʌmps/

plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading “We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.”

wayside noun US /ˈweɪsaɪd/

edge of a way or road or path

From this reading “Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

at intervals preposition + noun counted as “at interval”

In this reading “We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.”

public road noun + noun

In this reading “Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.”

at a loss preposition + article + noun counted as “at … loss”

filled with bewilderment

In this reading “Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.”

strips of verb + particle counted as “strip of”

In this reading “Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.”

hit on verb + particle

In this reading “Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.”

stood at verb + particle

In this reading “We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.”

All words in this reading · 90

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

artistnounUS /ˈɑːrtəst/

a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

backsnounUS /bæks/

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

BEARDnounUS /bɪrd/

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(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 We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

boardnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

campnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

campingnounUS /ˈkæmpɪŋ/

the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

Charlie

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

From this reading Charlie Rivers was doing this work.

choppedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːpt/

prepared by cutting

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/

past form of “conceive” — have the idea for

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

concernedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrnd/

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/

-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

DAN

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

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

decoratingverbUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “decorate” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

designationsnounUS /ˌdezəɡˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “designation” — identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Charlie Rivers was doing this work.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

GOODadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

Heinie

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

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/

plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

hitverbUS /hɪt/

cause to move by striking

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

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

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

ideasnounUS /aɪˈdiːəz/

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

lossnounUS /lɔːs/

something that is lost

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

nailedverbUS /neɪld/

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

namingnounUS /ˈneɪmɪŋ/

the verbal act of naming

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

NeveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

notablesnounUS /ˈnoʊtəbəlz/

plural of “notable” — a celebrity who is an inspiration to others

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

notionnounUS /ˈnoʊʃən/

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

off-length

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

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

RESTverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

RiversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Charlie Rivers was doing this work.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/

characteristic of rural life

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

scoutnounUS /skaʊt/

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

seatsnounUS /siːts/

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

Sheffler

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

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

stripsnounUS /strɪps/

plural of “strip” — a relatively long narrow piece of something

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

stumpsnounUS /stʌmps/

plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

TEMPLEnounUS /ˈtempəl/

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

trailnounUS /treɪl/

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

TURNverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading Tom had hit on the idea of using some off-length strips of board for rustic seats along this connecting trail between the camp and the public road.

wagonnounUS /ˈwæɡən/

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

waysidenounUS /ˈweɪsaɪd/

edge of a way or road or path

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We had chopped down a number of trees to open a better wagon trail to camp and the stumps of these stood at intervals along this improved approach.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Never at a loss for ideas where camping is concerned, Tom had conceived the notion of naming these seats after scout notables and heroes, and Heinie Sheffler, our artist, was decorating the backs of the seats with such designations as TEMPLE REST, DAN BEARD REST, GOOD TURN REST, and so on.

WhereverconjunctionUS /weˈrevər/

in or to any place at all

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Wherever two wayside stumps were near enough together a board was nailed across them with another board as a rough back.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Charlie Rivers was doing this work.

Chapter 17 of Tom Slade in the north woods by Percy Keese Fitzhugh holds 86 sentences, grouped into 18 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 17 of Tom Slade in the north woods contain?

Chapter 17 holds 86 sentences of Tom Slade in the north woods, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Tom Slade in the north woods by Percy Keese Fitzhugh exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 86 sentences, grouped into 18 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 17 of Tom Slade in the north woods?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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.

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Vocabulary met early in Tom Slade in the north woods

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Slade in the north woods, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Tom Slade in the north woods, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of Tom Slade in the north woods, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.