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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 WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
approaching
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From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
baby
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From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
backwards
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From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
barn
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
BARNYARD
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
bins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
Button
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
came
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
cat
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
coming
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From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
crossed
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From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
crying
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From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
EXCITEMENT
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
feed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
grain
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From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
hay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
hayloft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
haymow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Now help yourself, Mr. Button.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
mouths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now help yourself, Mr. Button.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
nests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now help yourself, Mr. Button.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
pigeons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
spotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
squabs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
squeezed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They thought every sound was their mothers coming to feed them.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this hole they squeezed themselves and from there crossed the barn floor to a ladder that led up into the haymow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
WILD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILD EXCITEMENT IN THE BARNYARD The spotted cat led Button under the floor of the barn until he came to a round hole in the floor that led to the main barn where the grain bins were.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
wriggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in the hayloft they hurried over to the door that was directly under the window where the pigeons went in and out to their nests, but there on the hay, wriggling and crying, were the baby squabs who opened their mouths so wide they nearly fell over backwards when they heard the spotted cat and Button approaching.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “Now help yourself, Mr. Button.
