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 It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
agree
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From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
all
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From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
Ally
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From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
arranged
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From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
away
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From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
beating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
careful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
Christmas
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From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
Christmas-eve
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From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
day
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From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
doing
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From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
GOING
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From this reading GOING INTO THE WORLD.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading GOING INTO THE WORLD.
invitation
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From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
nicely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
packed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
Penton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
recommendations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
royalty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOING INTO THE WORLD.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been arranged that on Christmas-eve they should return, for to spend that day away from their family was impossible, a thing not to be done had the invitation come from royalty itself.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
Walter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
warnings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
Wat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was very near Christmas when Walter and Ally went to Penton on the visit which had caused so much excitement.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They went with all their new things so nicely packed, and their hearts beating, and many warnings and recommendations from the most careful of mothers.
WORLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOING INTO THE WORLD.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Wat, be careful that you never, never let them see, if it was only by a look, that you do not agree with what your father is doing.
