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Two in a Zoo
Two in a Zoo

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Two in a Zoo
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Food never drops out of a clear sky.
When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.
I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.
Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.
--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.
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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.

Two in a Zoo

Chapter VI

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Food never drops out of a clear sky.
Line 2
When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.
Line 3
I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.
Line 4
Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.
Line 5
--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Food never drops out of a clear sky.”

Observation noun US /ˈobservation/

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

From this reading “--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.”

Resumed noun US /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading “--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “--_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 Food never drops out of a clear sky.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

back

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

barbed

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

boulder

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

brook

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

clear

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

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

clouds

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

concealed

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

dark

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

down

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

drops

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

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

Family

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

flesh

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

float

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

Food

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

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

Grandfather

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

home

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

hook

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

Insects

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

iron

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

margin

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

Maxims

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

morsels

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

nature

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

observationnounUS /ˈobservation/

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

other

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

out

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

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

Pickerel

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

pool

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

rains

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

regular

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

resumednounUS /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

river's

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

sky

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

From this reading Food never drops out of a clear sky.

sometimes

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

swallowed

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

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

toad

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

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.

toads

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

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

Toots

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

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading --_Maxims of Grandfather Pickerel._ Toots went back to the boulder by the river's margin that same afternoon, and resumed his observation of the Pickerel Family at home.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When the sky is dark with clouds, it sometimes rains toads; that is different.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Insects and other morsels that float down the brook into the pool come to us in the regular course of nature, and may be swallowed without question.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I have yet to hear of a barbed iron hook being concealed in the flesh of a toad.