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The Sweep Winner
The Sweep Winner

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Sweep Winner
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.
I can't get over that.
I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.
We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."
They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Sweep Winner

Chapter VII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.
Line 2
I can't get over that.
Line 3
I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.
Line 4
We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."
Line 5
They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I can't get over that.”

Plainly noun US /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading “THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.”

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 They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

asleep

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

Backham

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

Bigs

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

Bill

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

business

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

can't

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

From this reading I can't get over that.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

decision

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

delighted

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

FACE

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

fast

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

gee

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

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

get

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

From this reading I can't get over that.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

he'd

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

head

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I can't get over that.

I'll

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

I'm

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

join

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

knew

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

made

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

man

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

out

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I can't get over that.

plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

reckon

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

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

said

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

screwed

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

sell

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

settles

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

she's

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

straight

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

superstitious

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

Sydney

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

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

there

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

things

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

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

WATER

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE WATER "I'm not superstitious," said Bill, "but that settles it; she said 'come' as plainly as she could, although she's fast asleep.

We'll

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

From this reading We'll make things gee in Sydney, I reckon."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading They were delighted at this decision, for they knew Bigs was a good man of business, who had his head screwed on right, and if there was anything to be made he'd be on to it straight.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I'll sell out to Backham, and join you.