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A Desperate Chance
A Desperate Chance

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A Desperate Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.
The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.
The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:
"Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.
I may do you a good turn."
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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 Desperate Chance

Chapter II

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.
Line 2
The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.
Line 3
The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:
Line 4
"Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.
Line 5
I may do you a good turn."

Learner Dictionary

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

AFTER preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “I may do you a good turn."”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.”

Steaming noun US /ˈsteaming/

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

From this reading “The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:”

Strangely noun US /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading “The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.”

All words in this reading · 62

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

ALL

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

BIVOUAC

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

Brooks

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

CHANCE

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

coffee

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

crackers

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

cup

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

DESMOND'S

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

DISCLOSURES

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

DISCOVERY

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I may do you a good turn."

down

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

drank

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

dried

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

enjoy

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

exclaimed

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

few

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

friends

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

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

GALORE

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

hot

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I may do you a good turn."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

lips

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

makes

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

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I may do you a good turn."

meal

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

meat

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

men

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

met

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

offered

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

prepared

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

produced

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

RECOGNITION

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

sat

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

SAVAGES

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

smacked

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

some

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

soon

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

steamingnounUS /ˈsteaming/

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

three

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

turn

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

From this reading I may do you a good turn."

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The coffee was soon prepared and Brooks produced some dried meat and a few crackers, and the three men, so strangely met, sat down to enjoy their meal.

Well

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

From this reading "Well, that was good; that cup of coffee makes us friends.

woodsman

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

From this reading The woodsman was offered the first cup of coffee, and as he drank it down, all hot and steaming, he smacked his lips and exclaimed:

WOODSMAN'S

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

From this reading A RECOGNITION--THE WOODSMAN'S DISCLOSURES--A CHANCE AFTER ALL--THE BIVOUAC--DESMOND'S DISCOVERY--SAVAGES GALORE.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I may do you a good turn."