Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
An Annapolis First Classman
An Annapolis First Classman

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for An Annapolis First Classman
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.
Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.
Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.
The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.
Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An Annapolis First Classman

Chapter XX

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.
Line 2
Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.
Line 3
Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.
Line 4
The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.
Line 5
Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.”

All words in this reading · 68

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

Annapolis

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

From this reading Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

annual

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

Blair's

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

brass-buttoned

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

From this reading Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

bringing

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

companies

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

company

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

competition

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

day

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

depended

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

Drake

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

drills

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

examinations

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

exultant

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

final

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

finished

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

glory

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

From this reading Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

Graduation

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

happiness

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

held

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

lead

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

made

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

many

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

more

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

Most

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

near

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

neck

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

now

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

occur

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

place

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

PRACTICE

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

records

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

respective

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

ribboned

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

From this reading Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

Robert

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

Robert's

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

second

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

SIX-POUNDER

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

slightly

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

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.

soon

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

TARGET

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

terrors

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

things

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SIX-POUNDER TARGET PRACTICE Graduation day drew near, bringing exultant happiness to Robert Drake.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The final standing now depended upon the records these respective companies made at target practice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Annapolis was now in ribboned and brass-buttoned glory.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Not many more things could occur to him--the annual examinations were soon to be held, but these brought no terrors to Robert's mind.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Most of the drills had been finished, and the first and second companies were now neck and neck in competition for the first place, with Blair's company slightly in the lead.