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 This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
bet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
bolted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
curves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
double
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
draw-works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
DRILLING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
echoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
flags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
gorges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
Grade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
Guadalupe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
honking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
horns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
mud-hogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
resounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
screwed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
seven-ton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
stationary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
straighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
timbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
tons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
tools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
towered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
trailers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
truck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
trucks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
tubes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
valleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
waved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
wheels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
