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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
addressed
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
all
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
Arnold
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From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
away
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
bolt
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
to speak or reveal information, especially secretly
From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
bright
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
care
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
city
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
clouds
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
contained
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
day
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
days
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
death-warrant
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
desperately
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
destroy
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
existence
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
fell
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
foreign
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.
gathering
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
GIVEN
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
handwriting
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
happy
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
HOPES
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
horizon
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
instantly
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
Jocelyn
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
knew
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
letter
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
many
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
Mildred
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
Miss
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
missive
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From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
most
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
office
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
post-mark
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
promise
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
return
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
rode
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
Roger
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
serene
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
skies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
SLAIN
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
tempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
two
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
unexpectedly
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From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
village
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From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
Vinton
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From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
word
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From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.