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What Will He Do with It? — Volume 01
What Will He Do with It? — Volume 01

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for What Will He Do with It? — Volume 01
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.
Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.
He then strolled to the post-office.
There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.
He delayed opening it for the moment.
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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.

What Will He Do with It? — Volume 01

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.
Line 2
Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.
Line 3
He then strolled to the post-office.
Line 4
There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.
Line 5
He delayed opening it for the moment.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

all

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

amply

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

aspirations

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

bought

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

causes

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

contented

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

delayed

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

From this reading He delayed opening it for the moment.

doll

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

effects

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

end

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

enough

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

find

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

go

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

handwriting

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

history

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

humbler

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

impending

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

inclinations

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He delayed opening it for the moment.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

letters

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

liberal

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

like

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

Lionel

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

moment

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

From this reading He delayed opening it for the moment.

mother's

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

off

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

opening

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

From this reading He delayed opening it for the moment.

post-office

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

From this reading He then strolled to the post-office.

revolution

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

revolutions

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

run

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

satisfy

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

seems

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

several

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

Signs

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

Sophy

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

strolled

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

From this reading He then strolled to the post-office.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

tantrum

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

then

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

From this reading He then strolled to the post-office.

There

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

toy-shops

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

Vance

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

village

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

From this reading Lionel could not find in the toy-shops of the village a doll good enough to satisfy his liberal inclinations, but he bought one which amply contented the humbler aspirations of Sophy.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were several letters for Vance; one for himself in his mother's handwriting.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.

work

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

From this reading Signs of an impending revolution, which, like all revolutions, seems to come of a sudden, though its causes have long been at work; and to go off in a tantrum, though its effects must run on to the end of a history.