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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
al
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
ate
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
blue
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
burning
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
careless
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
caverns
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
children
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
contrast
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
cool
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
cousin
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
deepening
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
defying
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
desolate
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
donkey
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
Egypt
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
enjoyment
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
expeditions
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
fill
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From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
following
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
fresco
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
furnish
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
gaily
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
guide
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From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
happiness
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
haunted
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
hills
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
hoary
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
introducing
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
Jaretzka
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
kings
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
knew
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
land
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
like
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
listening
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
luncheons
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
Madame
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
marvels
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
modern
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
opened
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
pours
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From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
priests
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
princesses
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
principal
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
raced
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
sand-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
sands
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From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
six
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
streaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
sturdiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
Thebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
Tom
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From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
tombs
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
Tony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
underground
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From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
veil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The principal expeditions were made alone, introducing Tom to the marvels of ancient Egypt which they already knew.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the sturdiest donkey Thebes could furnish, he raced his cousin across the burning sands, Madame Jaretzka following in a sand-cart, her blue veil streaming in the cool north wind.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Tony as guide they took their fill of wonder.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They ate their _al fresco_ luncheons gaily, seated by hoary tombs that opened into the desolate hills; kings, priests, princesses, dead six thousand years, listening in caverns underground to their careless talk.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading They played like children, defying the tide of mystery that this haunted land pours against the modern human soul, while yet the wonder and the mystery added to their enjoyment, deepening their happiness by contrast.