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Four Young Explorers
Four Young Explorers

Chapter XIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
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ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.
"How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.
"About twenty miles," replied the commander.
"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."
"I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.
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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.

Four Young Explorers

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.
Line 2
"How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.
Line 3
"About twenty miles," replied the commander.
Line 4
"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."
Line 5
"I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “"About twenty miles," replied the commander.”

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “"I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “"I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “"How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"About twenty miles," replied the commander.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading “ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “"One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "About twenty miles," replied the commander.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

all

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

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

any

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

avoid

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

Bangkok

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

boats

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

city

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

close

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

commander

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

From this reading "About twenty miles," replied the commander.

conclusion

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

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

consulting

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

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

crooked

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

descend

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

description

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

distance

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

down

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

far

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

forty

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

general

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

Gulf

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

How

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

less

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

makes

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

Menam

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

miles

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

From this reading "About twenty miles," replied the commander.

multitude

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

obliged

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

others

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

pacha

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

read

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "About twenty miles," replied the commander.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

Ringgold

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

river

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

SAIGON

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

session

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

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

speed

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

steamer

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

stream

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

subject

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

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.

three

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

thronged

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

twenty

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

From this reading "About twenty miles," replied the commander.

twenty-six

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

From this reading "One description of the city that I have read makes it forty miles, another twenty-six, and three others make it twenty miles," added the pacha; "and I suppose the last is the right distance."

vessels

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

VOYAGE

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ON THE VOYAGE TO SAIGON The steamer was obliged to descend the Menam at less than half speed, to avoid running down any of the multitude of boats and vessels that thronged the river, and because the stream was so crooked.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "I have come to that conclusion after consulting all the books we have on the subject.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "How far do you think Bangkok is from the Gulf, Captain Ringgold?" asked the general, at the close of the session.