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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 boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
act
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From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
air
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From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
alert
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From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
clothes
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From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
curtain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
dewy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
dive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
edge
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From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
glistening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
landed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
mirrored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
paddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
plunge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
pool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
September
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
slim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
Slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
unruffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He came to the surface, shaking his black head, and, when he had paddled round the pool, he landed, glistening like the dewy fields beyond him.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A boy, slim and white as the silver birches round him, stood at the edge of a pool, in act to dive.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If there were any movement among the birches, with their air of trees seen mirrored in a lake, he did not miss it.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly he drew on his clothes, leaving the quiet of the wood unruffled, but his eyes were alert.
yesterday's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The flat stone was warm to his feet from yesterday's sun, and through the mist of a September morning there was promise of more heat, but now the grey curtain hung in a stillness that was broken by his plunge.
