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Six Short Plays
Six Short Plays

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Six Short Plays
Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.
A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.
In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.
He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.
[The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.
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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.

Six Short Plays

Chapter I

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.
Line 2
A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.
Line 3
In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.
Line 4
He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.
Line 5
[The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “[The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “[The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

armchair

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

asleep

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

away

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

blue-and-gold

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

brown

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

carpet

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

clean-cut

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

clean-shaven

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

coat

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

coffee

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

curtained

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

dark

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

dark-curtained

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

DARRANT

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

DARRANT'S

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

deep

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

dim

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

door

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

evening

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

eyebrows

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

face

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

falling

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

fire

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

grizzling

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

hair

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

KEITH

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

large

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

light

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

log

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

makes

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

November

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

o'clock

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

oasis

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

old

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

opened

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

out

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

reading-lamp

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

red

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

room

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

service

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

single

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

sits

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

six

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

slippers

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

softly

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

sort

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

study

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

From this reading It is six o'clock of a November evening, in KEITH DARRANT'S study.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

Turkey

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

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.

Turkish

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

twisting

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

From this reading He has a dark, clean-cut, clean-shaven face, dark grizzling hair, dark twisting eyebrows.

velvet

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

From this reading In red Turkish slippers and an old brown velvet coat, KEITH DARRANT sits asleep.

wake

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

From this reading [The curtained door away out in the dim part of the room behind him is opened so softly that he does not wake.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A large, dark-curtained room where the light from a single reading-lamp falling on Turkey carpet, on books beside a large armchair, on the deep blue-and-gold coffee service, makes a sort of oasis before a log fire.