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A Cadet's Honor: Mark Mallory's Heroism
A Cadet's Honor: Mark Mallory's Heroism

Chapter II

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Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
It happened so on this night.
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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 Cadet's Honor: Mark Mallory's Heroism

Chapter II

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
Line 2
These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.
Line 3
And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.
Line 4
When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.
Line 5
It happened so on this night.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.”

MYSTERIOUS adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.”

Unless conjunction US /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.”

All words in this reading · 77

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

all

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

asleep

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

came

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

clutches

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

days

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

designated

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

drilling

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

enough

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

exhausted

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

fall

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

happened

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

hour

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

later

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

lights

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

MARK'S

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

From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.

meaning

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

merciless

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

more

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

most

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

MYSTERIOUSadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

night

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

officer

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It happened so on this night.

out

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

plebes

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

practicing

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

quiet

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

round

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

scant

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It happened so on this night.

sound

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

sounded

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

sunrise

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

tac

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

tactical

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

taps

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

tattoo

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

there

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It happened so on this night.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

unfortunate

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

unfortunates

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

usually

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

VISITOR

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

From this reading MARK'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.

watchful

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

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

West

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When "taps" came half an hour later, meaning lights out and all quiet, there was usually scant need for the round of the watchful "tac," as the tactical officer is designated.

work

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

From this reading These were days of work for the plebes at West Point--days of drilling and practicing from sunrise to night, until mind and body were exhausted.

yearling

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

From this reading And it usually happened that most of the unfortunates were already sound asleep by the time "tattoo" was sounded, that is, unless the unfortunates had been still more unfortunate, unfortunate enough to fall into the clutches of the merciless yearling.