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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
acquirement
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
acquiring
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
age
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From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
agency
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
almost
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From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
any
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From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
authority
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From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
branches
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
CHIARA
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From this reading CHIARA.
clerk
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From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
Co
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From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
commercial
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/
spoken privately and not for general knowledge
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
dialects
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
education
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
entered
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From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
European
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
exceedingly
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
faculty
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
fancy
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
foreign
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From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
given
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
John
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
lad
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
languages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
lowest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
luckily
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From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
Martin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
office
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From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
practical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
promoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
risen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
salary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had risen to the position almost of a confidential clerk, and received a good salary, but he had not been promoted to any post of authority in the house.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
sharp-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
shipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
Swansea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
thirteen
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From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But luckily for him Sir John Martin had taken a fancy to the sharp-looking lad, and had given him a good commercial education.
Trevor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
useful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a special faculty for learning languages; and from time to time had been sent to most of the foreign branches of the shipping agency, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of many of the European dialects; an acquirement exceedingly useful to him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trevor was thirteen years of age when he entered the office of Martin, Swansea & Co., and occupied one of the lowest places in the house.
