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The Vegetable
The Vegetable

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Vegetable
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_She has evidently rung off.
Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].
Wonderful telephone service!
[_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!
[_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.
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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.

The Vegetable

Chapter II

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_She has evidently rung off.
Line 2
Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].
Line 3
Wonderful telephone service!
Line 4
[_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!
Line 5
[_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “[_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.”

Drink noun US /drink/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “[_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “[_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “_She has evidently rung off.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “[_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading “Wonderful telephone service!”

All words in this reading · 56

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

afterward

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

back

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

call

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

comes

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].

door

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

Doris

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

drink

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

evidently

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

From this reading _She has evidently rung off.

Fish

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

followed

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

front

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

goes

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading _She has evidently rung off.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

immediately

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

insipid

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

Jerry

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

From this reading Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].

Joseph

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

likewise

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

From this reading Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].

man

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

off

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

From this reading _She has evidently rung off.

opens

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

phone

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

picks

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

quickly

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

receiver

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

red-headed

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

returns

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

Rottenest

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

rung

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

From this reading _She has evidently rung off.

sarcastically

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

From this reading Jerry does likewise._ JERRY [_sarcastically_].

saw

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

service

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

From this reading Wonderful telephone service!

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading _She has evidently rung off.

slams

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

telephone

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

From this reading Wonderful telephone service!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

There

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

twenty-four

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

up

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

From this reading [_He goes quickly back to the ’phone and picks up the receiver._] Rottenest telephone service I ever saw!

WonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading Wonderful telephone service!

Yoo-hoo

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.

young

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

From this reading [_He slams up and returns to his drink._] _There is a call outside, “Yoo-hoo!” and immediately afterward Doris opens the front door and comes in, followed by Joseph Fish, a red-headed, insipid young man of about twenty-four.