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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 They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
abundance
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From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
all
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From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
alligators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
altogether
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From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
approve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
assured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
Bob
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From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
BREWER
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From this reading COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
COOT
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From this reading COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
Creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
deal
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From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
harm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
HELM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
lounging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
Lowper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
reckoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
TAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COOT BREWER TAKES THE HELM.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boys did not start for Lowper’s Creek and the alligators as soon as they expected.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He called Bob, and gave orders than an abundance of provisions, enough to last the party till the following afternoon, should be immediately got ready.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
trip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They found that a good deal of talk, and a good many preparations were necessary before they could get off.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The colonel did not altogether approve of the plan, but when he was assured that the boys could all swim, he said he reckoned no harm would come to them, and that they might as well be off on a trip of this kind as lounging around the hotel.