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A Book About Myself
A Book About Myself

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for A Book About Myself
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.
A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.
Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.
It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.
I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.
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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.

A Book About Myself

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.
Line 2
A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.
Line 3
Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.
Line 4
It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.
Line 5
I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

Learner Dictionary

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

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.”

Blackened adjective US /ˈblækənd/

made dark by burning or soot made dark by soot, burning, or black marks

From this reading “A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.”

Descended noun US /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Upstream noun US /ˈupstream/

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

From this reading “I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.”

All words in this reading · 117

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1892

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

airy

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

all

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

America

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

aspect

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

back

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

BARRING

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

black

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/

made dark by burning or soot made dark by soot, burning, or black marks

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

blast

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

bridges

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

buildings

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

car

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

charm

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

church

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

city

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

consequence

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

constructed

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

cottages

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

crests

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

dark

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

December

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

decided

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

drama

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

effective

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

enormous

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

few

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

followed

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

fortunate

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

furnaces

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

gave

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

grace

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

green

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

hall

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

hills

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

homelike

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

Homestead

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

houses

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

industrial

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

inexpensively

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

From this reading It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

June

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

lightly

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

like

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

From this reading It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.

living

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

From this reading It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

market-place

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

Monongahela

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

most

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

mostly

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

mountain

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

From this reading It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.

mountains

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

move

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

night

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

old

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

only

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

Pittsburgh

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

plant

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

played

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

providing

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

recently

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

resort

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

From this reading It would be like living in a mountain resort, and most inexpensively.

rivers

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

secure

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

simple

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

small

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

spires

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

startling

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

steel

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

streets

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

stretch

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

From this reading A few blackened church spires, a small dark city hall and an old market-place, a long stretch of blast furnaces, black as night, and the lightly constructed bridges over the rivers, gave it all an airy grace and charm.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

tall

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

then

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

three

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

twisting

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

two

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

up

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

upstreamnounUS /ˈupstream/

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

very

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

view

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

views

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading BARRING two or three tall buildings, the city of Pittsburgh was then of a simple and homelike aspect.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I descended and took a car which followed the Monongahela upstream to Homestead, and here for the first time had a view of that enormous steel plant which only recently (June to December, 1892) had played such a great part in the industrial drama of America.

winding

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

work

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

working-men's

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

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Since the houses up here were very simple, mostly working-men’s cottages, and the streets back followed the crests of hills twisting and winding as they went and providing in consequence the most startling and effective views of green hills and mountains beyond, I decided that should I be so fortunate as to secure work I would move over here.