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Three Thousand Dollars
Three Thousand Dollars

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Three Thousand Dollars
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."
The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.
He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.
"Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.
It seemed a needless question.
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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.

Three Thousand Dollars

Chapter I

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

Line 1
"_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."
Line 2
The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.
Line 3
He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.
Line 4
"Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.
Line 5
It seemed a needless question.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “It seemed a needless question.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It seemed a needless question.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “"_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."”

All words in this reading · 72

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 seemed a needless question.

addressed

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

bench

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

bestrode

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

big

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

cobweb-covered

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

companion

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

desolate

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

effect

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

expression

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

facing

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

features

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

fell

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

happen

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

heads

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

high

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed a needless question.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

light

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

man

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

needless

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

From this reading It seemed a needless question.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

Now

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

other

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

place

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

problem

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading It seemed a needless question.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

realized

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It seemed a needless question.

shifted

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

sifted

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

speaker

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

state

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

there

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

thus

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

uneasily

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

very

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Are you sure we are quite alone in this big, desolate place?" he asked.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The man who was thus addressed shifted uneasily on the long bench which he and his companion bestrode.

window

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

From this reading He was facing the speaker, and though very little light sifted through the cobweb-covered window high over their heads, he realized that what there was fell on his features, and he was not sure of his features, or of what effect their expression might have on the other man.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "_Do you know what would happen to him?_" "Now state your problem."