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 But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
able
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
all
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From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
anxious
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
aspects
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From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
British
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From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
children
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From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
civilized
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From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
claims
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
clever
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
comic
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From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
Department
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From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
educated
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From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
Education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
educational
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
enquiring
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From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
equipment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
existed
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
guardian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
hopeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
Imperial
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
information
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
inter-relationships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
Isles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
lavish
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From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
map
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
meanest
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From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
merits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
Oswald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
outhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
parent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
published
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
respective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
schools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
six-inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But he found that the government which published a six-inch map of the British Isles on which even the meanest outhouse is marked, had no information for the enquiring parent or guardian at all in this matter of schools.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He thought that if one had two rather clever and hopeful children upon whom one was prepared to lavish time and money, an Imperial Education Department would be able to tell an anxious guardian what schools existed for them and the respective claims and merits and inter-relationships of such schools.