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 GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
Beeswax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
Birch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
Company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
Customer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
Customer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
digging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
Exploration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
floating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
GRAINS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
pirate's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
Rat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
Riverbank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
SAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
September
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
shanty-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
Tough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
treasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
Treasure-Hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
Uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Uncle Beeswax came to the island a day or so before we left, and he said the Tough Customer and the Rat had given up digging for the land pirate’s treasure.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
wasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did seem as if the Land Pirate’s Treasure-Hunting and Exploration Company had had about as bad luck as the Tough Customer, too, and that our hunting had been wasted.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It got along to the first of September, and all of us had to leave Birch Island and go back down to Riverbank, because we had to go to school.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Uncle Beeswax had hardly gone when we saw the Tough Customer’s old shanty-boat floating down the river, past our island, and we knew they had given up hope and were going away.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading GRAINS OF SAND For a while nothing much happened.
