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From the Earth to the Moon
From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter XV · A Monster Meeting

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Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.
He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.
The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.
In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.
There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

From the Earth to the Moon

Chapter XV · A Monster Meeting

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.
Line 2
He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.
Line 3
The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.
Line 4
In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.
Line 5
There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

Learner Dictionary

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

Desirous adjective US /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading “On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

Ardan

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

arrival

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

audience

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

awaiting

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

Barbicane

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

braved

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

burning

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

canvas

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

chances

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

check

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

chosen

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

colleagues

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

compelled

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

conference

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

day

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

Falls

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

fearing

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

few

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

following

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

Frenchman

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

friend

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

give

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

heat

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

hours

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

hundred

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

idea

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

immense

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

indiscreet

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

initiated

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

instance

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

many

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

meeting

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

Michel

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

monster

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

new

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

Niagara

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

number

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

own

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

parched

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

people

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

place

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

plain

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

port

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

prairie

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

protected

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

public

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

put

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

questions

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

rays

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

rear

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

reducing

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

roofing

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

run

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

shipping

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

situated

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

stifling

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

stretched

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

sun

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

thanks

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

From this reading In a few hours, thanks to the help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the sun.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

There

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

thousand

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

three

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

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

town

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

tried

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

up

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

vast

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

From this reading The place chosen for this monster meeting was a vast plain situated in the rear of the town.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance.

well

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

From this reading He might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! he was compelled, therefore, to give up the idea, and let his new friend run the chances of a public conference.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman.