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Joan and Peter: The Story of an Education
Joan and Peter: The Story of an Education

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Joan and Peter: The Story of an Education
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
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.
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.
An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.
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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.

Joan and Peter: The Story of an Education

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
How is one to learn where one’s children may be educated?
Line 2
This story has its comic aspects: Oswald went first to the Education Department!
Line 3
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.
Line 4
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.
Line 5
An educational map had still to become a part of the equipment of the civilized state.

Learner Dictionary

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

Even noun US /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.”

First noun US /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!”

Found noun US /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.”

Has auxiliary verb US /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!”

May modal verb US /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?”

One pronoun US /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?”

Part noun US /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.”

Still noun US /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.”

Tell noun US /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.”

Thought noun US /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.”

Time noun US /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.”

Upon preposition US /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.”

Went noun US /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!”

Would modal verb US /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.”

All words in this reading · 89

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

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.

all

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.

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

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.

aspects

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!

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

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.

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

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?

civilized

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.

claims

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.

clever

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.

comic

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!

Department

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!

educated

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.