Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Elsie Venner
Elsie Venner

Chapter III · Mr. Bernard Tries His Hand

Cover illustration for Elsie Venner
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.
At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.
The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.
As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.
“PIGWACKET, sometimes spelt Pequawkett.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Elsie Venner

Chapter III · Mr. Bernard Tries His Hand

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.
Line 2
At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.
Line 3
The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.
Line 4
As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.
Line 5
“PIGWACKET, sometimes spelt Pequawkett.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.”

Remarkable noun US /ˈremarkable/

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

From this reading “The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““PIGWACKET, sometimes spelt Pequawkett.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.”

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 Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

advertised

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

advertisement

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

any

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

Boston

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

called

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

Centre

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

certain

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

commonly

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

copies

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

deestric

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

distance

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

distinguished

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

district

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

fell

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

few

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

flourishing

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

Gazetteer

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

give

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

head

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

inhabitants

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

inland

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

large

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

locality

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

metropolis

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

natives

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

particulars

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

Pequawkett

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

Pigwacket

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

place

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

published

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

rate

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

read

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

readers

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

respecting

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

school

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

school-committee

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

some

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

sometimes

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

From this reading “PIGWACKET, sometimes spelt Pequawkett.

spelt

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

Student

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

taken

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

unacquainted

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

Universal

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

village

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At any rate, it was not long before he found himself the head of a large district, or, as it was called by the inhabitants, “deestric” school, in the flourishing inland village of Pequawkett, or, as it is commonly spelt, Pigwacket Centre.

well

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

From this reading As, however, some copies of it may be read at a distance from this distinguished metropolis, it may be well to give a few particulars respecting the place, taken from the Universal Gazetteer.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whether the Student advertised for a school, or whether he fell in with the advertisement of a school-committee, is not certain.

work

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The natives of this place would be surprised, if they should hear that any of the readers of a work published in Boston were unacquainted with so remarkable a locality.