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Chapter II

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Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"
"Because they are spreading out over the forests.
Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.
Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.
But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.
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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.

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Chapter II

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

Line 1
"Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"
Line 2
"Because they are spreading out over the forests.
Line 3
Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.
Line 4
Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.
Line 5
But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “"Because they are spreading out over the forests.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “"Because they are spreading out over the forests.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “"Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

BecauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

caterpillar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

caterpillars

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

confined

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

country

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

creatures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

DeadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

else

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

explain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

forests

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

Halifax

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

Jones

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

jungle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

Lake

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

lying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

miles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

moth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

Mr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

narrow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

Nowhere

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

particular

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

pretty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

recently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

reported

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But recently they have been reported from the Dead Lake country.

River

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

species

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

spreading

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

strip

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

studying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Because they are spreading out over the forests.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

turns

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

ultimately

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Until recently this particular species of caterpillar, and the pretty little moth into which it ultimately turns, were entirely confined to a narrow strip of jungle, only a few miles long, lying on the Halifax River.

whispered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

why

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"

world

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nowhere else in all the world could these little creatures be found.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Will you explain to me," she whispered, "why you are studying these caterpillars, Mr. Jones?"