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Binney the beaver, and other stories
Binney the beaver, and other stories

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Binney the beaver, and other stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IDLERS DRIVEN OUT.
IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.
That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.
They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.
The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.
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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.

Binney the beaver, and other stories

Chapter II

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IDLERS DRIVEN OUT.
Line 2
IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.
Line 3
That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.
Line 4
They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.
Line 5
The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.”

All words in this reading · 98

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 IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

all

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

banks

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

bark

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

Beaver

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

beavers

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

best

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

big

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

came

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

colony

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

dam

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

DRIVEN

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

From this reading IDLERS DRIVEN OUT.

enough

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

family

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

five

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

frisking

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

gave

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

going

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

good-natured

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

grew

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

helpful

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

home

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

house

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

housekeeping

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

IDLERS

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

From this reading IDLERS DRIVEN OUT.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

kind

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

large

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

lily

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

many

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

more

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

Mr

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

Mrs

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

nice

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

ones

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

OUT

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

From this reading IDLERS DRIVEN OUT.

pairs

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

people

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

polite

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

roots

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

run

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

set

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

share

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

showing

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

spring

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

stream

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

summer

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

From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

sweetest

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

there

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

two

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From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

up

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From this reading That summer two more pairs of beavers came and set up housekeeping on the banks of the stream.

used

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From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

usually

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From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

very

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

warm

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

water

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

From this reading The next year there were many young beavers frisking about the dam and in the water, and in the course of time the colony grew to be a very large one.

welcome

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

white

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

wife

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

willing

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

From this reading They were very good-natured, helpful people, willing to do their share of all the work which was going on, and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver gave them a warm welcome, showing them where the best bark grew, and where the white lily roots were sweetest, for beavers are usually very polite and kind to one another.

work

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

year

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.

young

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

From this reading IN the spring, Mr. Beaver took a very long journey, as beavers are used to do at that time of the year; and when he came home he found that his wife had a nice little family of five young ones, big enough to run about and help in the work of the house.