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Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility

Chapter IV

CHAPTER V.

Chapter 04, section 1: “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.” “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so? He does not draw himse
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”
“No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?
He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.
Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.
He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”
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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.

Sense and Sensibility

Chapter IV

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”
Line 2
“No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?
Line 3
He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.
Line 4
Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.
Line 5
He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

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 “Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.””

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.””

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading ““What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.””

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

always

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

any

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

assure

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

deficient

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

direct

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

distrusts

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

draw

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

drawing

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

drawn

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

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

Edward

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

Elinor

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

general

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

give

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

improving

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

indeed

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

innate

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

judgment

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

learning

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

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

Marianne

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

matters

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

means

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

much

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

natural

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

opinion

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

opportunities

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

other

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

own

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

people

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

perfectly

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

performances

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

picture

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

pity

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

pleasure

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

propriety

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

said

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

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

seeing

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

simplicity

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

unwilling

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

very

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

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

way

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

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

well

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

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.”

why

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

From this reading “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “No taste for drawing!” replied Elinor, “why should you think so?

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 04?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "CHAPTER V....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: CHAPTER V.
Narrator: and she might have immediate possession.