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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 Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
advanced
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
Alfred
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
all
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
arrangements
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
client
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From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
communication
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From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
deal
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
departure
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
detained
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From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
disagreeable
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From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
earlier
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
extraordinary
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From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
folded
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From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
Hester
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From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
hills
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From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
hurry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
husband's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
projected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
realising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
reckoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
reverted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
settle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
sighed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to take shape in her mind for the first time and she sighed softly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
verandah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hester was still sitting in the verandah waiting her husband's return.
wearily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat with folded hands wearily waiting, her thoughts suddenly reverted to the disagreeable visitors of the afternoon and their extraordinary communication.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her own preparations for the projected journey to the hills were well advanced, but there was still a good deal to settle before their departure, and she had expected Alfred to hurry home earlier than usual to complete all arrangements.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not realising how late it was, she reckoned that he must have been detained by some important interview with a client.