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For the School Colours
For the School Colours

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for For the School Colours
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.
Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.
Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.
Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.
After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.
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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.

For the School Colours

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.
Line 2
Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.
Line 3
Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.
Line 4
Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.
Line 5
After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.”

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

all

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

annual

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

building

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

combine

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

construction

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

decided

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

Dedicated

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

delays

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

disappointments

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

Easter

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

end

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

EvernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

finished

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

foundation

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

Hall

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

holidays

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

innumerable

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

January

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

labour

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

laying

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

Lecture

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

made

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

Miss

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

mistaken

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

much

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

new

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

opening

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

optimists

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

Owing

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

place

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

prize-giving

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

process

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

progress

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

prophesied

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

readiness

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

scarcity

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

slow

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

Sometimes

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

spurt

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

stone

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

summer

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

term

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Lecture Hall is Dedicated Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new Lecture Hall had been in process of construction.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

Thompson

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

From this reading After innumerable delays and disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of the summer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with the annual prize-giving.

ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

war

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

From this reading Owing to the war, and the scarcity of labour, it made slow progress.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

weeks

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

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sometimes the building went on with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Those optimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after the Easter holidays found themselves much mistaken.