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 He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
acquired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
attended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
barrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
cadetship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
committee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
Commodore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
examination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
gotten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
kit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
Lucien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
Mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
Merrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
needs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
progressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
quartermasternounUS /ˈquartermaster/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His reply had been a simple one, and truthful:
Reporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His reply had been a simple one, and truthful:
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
truthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His reply had been a simple one, and truthful:
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having passed both his physical examination and the one to discover how far he had progressed in “book learning,” Mark Merrill felt happy at the thought that there was no other barrier between him and his cadetship.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “My mother taught me all I know of books, sir, for I never went to school.”
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Reporting to the quartermaster of the post, Mark found there the kit which Commodore Lucien had gotten for him, and he discovered that it left no needs to be filled.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been asked by one of the committee where he had attended school, for he was well up in all questions asked, wrote an excellent hand, and answered with a knowledge evidently not acquired for the occasion.
