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Half A Chance
Half A Chance

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Half A Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
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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.

Half A Chance

Chapter V

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
Line 2
From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
Line 3
But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
Line 4
He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
Line 5
For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.”

Resumed noun US /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading “For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

abruptly

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

absent-minded

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

amusement

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

chambers

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

Charing

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

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

court

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

Cross

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

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

customary

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

day

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

deeply

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

destination

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

directed

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

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

door

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

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

end

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

expression

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

face

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

gradually

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

head

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

held

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

home

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

hour

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

John

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

man

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

moment

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

more

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

musing

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

office

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

once

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

only

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

OPERA

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

own

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

relaxed

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

remissness

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

resumednounUS /ˈresumed/

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

retrace

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

several

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

Steele

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

steps

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

From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.

striding

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

strong

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

thinks

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

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

thoughtfulness

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

From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

unconsciously

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.

way

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

wheel

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

From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.