Mark lesson as completed

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

Who Runs This Place

(Lesson 2)

Total words 127 Video duration 13:47



Previous Lesson Next Lesson
advertising

a public promotion of some product or service
A video clip called You read the hotel advertising on that when you had it.

You read the hotel advertising on that when you had it.
baby

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
A video clip called Mother left when I was a baby, and my father... probably drank himself to death by now.

Mother left when I was a baby, and my father... probably drank himself to death by now.
bet

the money risked on a gamble
A video clip called Five more, you don't. Bet.

Five more, you don't. Bet.
broadcast

message that is transmitted by radio or television
A video clip called We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.

We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.
cafe

a small restaurant where drinks and snacks are sold
A video clip called A cafe.

A cafe.
chaser

a drink to follow immediately after another drink
A video clip called Two water chasers.

Two water chasers.
chicago

largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
A video clip called Chicago or further west, maybe.

Chicago or further west, maybe.
citizen

a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
A video clip called It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.

It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.
clerk

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
A video clip called Here, tell the clerk that Sam Masterson wants a room for a young lady.

Here, tell the clerk that Sam Masterson wants a room for a young lady.
coast

the shore of a sea or ocean
A video clip called You think you can hold that thought all the way to the coast?

You think you can hold that thought all the way to the coast?
competition

the act of competing as for profit or a prize
A video clip called ... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.

... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.
courthouse

a government building that houses the offices of a county government
A video clip called Maybe tomorrow I'll go down to the courthouse and look up the deaths in the last 18 years.

Maybe tomorrow I'll go down to the courthouse and look up the deaths in the last 18 years.
cow

female of domestic cattle: `moo-cow' is a child's term
A video clip called He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.

He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.
curfew

an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited
A video clip called Curfew.

Curfew.
curfew

the time that the curfew signal is sounded
A video clip called You'd better bring us a couple more before curfew.

You'd better bring us a couple more before curfew.
dad

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
A video clip called Another man I know talks cold like that's my Dad.

Another man I know talks cold like that's my Dad.
dog

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
A video clip called That guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Chestnut King's a dog.

That guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Chestnut King's a dog.
dollar

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
A video clip called That'll be two dollars.

That'll be two dollars.
election

the act of selecting someone or something; the exercise of deliberate choice
A video clip called We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.

We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.
end

either extremity of something that has length
A video clip called End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.

End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.
fair

a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
A video clip called ... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.

... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.
family

a social unit living together
A video clip called Is it a big family?

Is it a big family?
favorite

a competitor thought likely to win
A video clip called In a handicap, Chestnut King looks like an odds-on favorite.

In a handicap, Chestnut King looks like an odds-on favorite.
figure

a well-known or notable person
A video clip called But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...

But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...
forum

a public meeting or assembly for open discussion
A video clip called It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.

It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.
gal

alliterative term for girl (or woman)
A video clip called Some gal.

Some gal.
game

a contest with rules to determine a winner
A video clip called Open game?

Open game?
gent

informal abbreviation of `gentleman'
A video clip called We would have made it, if you didn't stop to pick up your gent.

We would have made it, if you didn't stop to pick up your gent.
governor

the head of a state government
A video clip called Going to be re-elected. Going to be governor.

Going to be re-elected. Going to be governor.
grounds

a tract of land cleared for some special purposes (recreation or burial etc.)
A video clip called ... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.

... competition at the Fair Grounds last week.
handicap

advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
A video clip called In a handicap, Chestnut King looks like an odds-on favorite.

In a handicap, Chestnut King looks like an odds-on favorite.
hometown

the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence
A video clip called Then, all of a sudden, you're driving along and smacko, your own hometown up and hits you right in the face.

Then, all of a sudden, you're driving along and smacko, your own hometown up and hits you right in the face.
issue

an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
A video clip called Citizens of Iverstown, the issues in this election are simple.

Citizens of Iverstown, the issues in this election are simple.
jitters

extreme nervousness
A video clip called Or I would have got the jitters the minute I got on.

Or I would have got the jitters the minute I got on.
lift

a ride in a car
A video clip called Want a lift any place on the way to the bus station?

Want a lift any place on the way to the bus station?
line

a connected series of events or actions or developments
A video clip called End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.

End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.
malarkey

empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
A video clip called That's enough of that malarkey.

That's enough of that malarkey.
mile

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
A video clip called About 600 miles since this morning.

About 600 miles since this morning.
mother

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
A video clip called Mother left when I was a baby, and my father... probably drank himself to death by now.

Mother left when I was a baby, and my father... probably drank himself to death by now.
music

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
A video clip called Blue lights, music, everything.

Blue lights, music, everything.
people

members of a family line
A video clip called You're just getting around to looking up your people?

You're just getting around to looking up your people?
place

any area set aside for a particular purpose
A video clip called Who runs this place?

Who runs this place?
pony

a range horse of the western United States
A video clip called He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.

He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.
pop

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
A video clip called How long will it take, pop?

How long will it take, pop?
population

the people who inhabit a territory or state
A video clip called Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.

Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.
president

an executive officer of a firm or corporation
A video clip called And I'm making book right now that someday he'll run for president.

And I'm making book right now that someday he'll run for president.
program

a radio or television show
A video clip called We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.

We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.
quarter

one of four equal parts
A video clip called It's a quarter after eleven.

It's a quarter after eleven.
race

any competition
A video clip called He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.

He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.
regret

sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment
A video clip called It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.

It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.
repair

the act of putting something in working order again
A video clip called Come on, I've got to put into Iverstown for repairs.

Come on, I've got to put into Iverstown for repairs.
road

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
A video clip called The road curved, but I didn't.

The road curved, but I didn't.
rock

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
A video clip called I'm the guy who tossed a rock through that window once.

I'm the guy who tossed a rock through that window once.
sailor

any member of a ship's crew
A video clip called How do you like that, sailor?

How do you like that, sailor?
saloon

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
A video clip called When I lived in this town, there were nothing but saloons.

When I lived in this town, there were nothing but saloons.
studio

workplace consisting of a room or building where movies or television shows or radio programs are produced and recorded
A video clip called the gracious Mrs. O'Neil, here in the studio tonight to speak for him.

the gracious Mrs. O'Neil, here in the studio tonight to speak for him.
taker

one who accepts an offer
A video clip called No odds. No takers.

No odds. No takers.
tijuana

a Mexican city just to the south of San Diego on the Lower California peninsula; popular among American tourists for racetracks and bullfights
A video clip called He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.

He was losing races to cow ponies years ago in Tijuana.
time

the fourth coordinate that is required (along with three spatial dimensions) to specify a physical event
A video clip called Got the time?

Got the time?
water

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
A video clip called Two water chasers.

Two water chasers.
works

everything available; usually preceded by `the'
A video clip called Came into the whole works after the old lady died.

Came into the whole works after the old lady died.
wreck

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
A video clip called You got anybody here to fix this wreck, mister?

You got anybody here to fix this wreck, mister?
acquaint

cause to come to know personally
A video clip called Maybe you think I've been trying too hard to get acquainted.

Maybe you think I've been trying too hard to get acquainted.
announce

make known; make an announcement
A video clip called It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.

It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.
approve

judge to be right or commendable; think well of
A video clip called No, my mother wouldn't approve of that.

No, my mother wouldn't approve of that.
bet

maintain with or as if with a bet
A video clip called lf I chased you, I'll bet I caught you.

lf I chased you, I'll bet I caught you.
bust

ruin completely
A video clip called About as much as you can hold without busting open.

About as much as you can hold without busting open.
chase

go after with the intent to catch
A video clip called And you're the guy who chased me.

And you're the guy who chased me.
come into

obtain, especially accidentally
A video clip called Came into the whole works after the old lady died.

Came into the whole works after the old lady died.
cost

be priced at
A video clip called How much will it cost, pop?

How much will it cost, pop?
curve

turn sharply; change direction abruptly
A video clip called The road curved, but I didn't.

The road curved, but I didn't.
drink

propose a toast to
A video clip called Maybe you'd like to drink to finding your people?

Maybe you'd like to drink to finding your people?
get around

move around; move from place to place
A video clip called You're just getting around to looking up your people?

You're just getting around to looking up your people?
get off

leave a vehicle, aircraft, etc.
A video clip called I probably would have got on and got off before it started out.

I probably would have got on and got off before it started out.
get on

get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
A video clip called Or I would have got the jitters the minute I got on.

Or I would have got the jitters the minute I got on.
happen

chance to be or do something, without intention or causation
A video clip called Do you happen to be at the Gable Hotel?

Do you happen to be at the Gable Hotel?
increase

become bigger or greater in amount
A video clip called Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.

Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.
interrupt

make a break in
A video clip called We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.

We interrupt this program of dinner music to bring you a special broadcast... in the interest of the re-election of District Attorney Walter .P O'Neil.
kick

drive or propel with the foot
A video clip called Once he kicked me.

Once he kicked me.
kid

tell false information to for fun
A video clip called Don't kid me. You're older than that.

Don't kid me. You're older than that.
lift

perform cosmetic surgery on someone's face
A video clip called No, my Stanley Steamer's in the garage, having her face lifted.

No, my Stanley Steamer's in the garage, having her face lifted.
look like

bear a physical resemblance to
A video clip called Does that guy look like a scared, little boy to you?

Does that guy look like a scared, little boy to you?
make

reach a goal, e.g., make the first team
A video clip called You can still make it.

You can still make it.
pick up

give a passenger or a hitchhiker a lift
A video clip called We would have made it, if you didn't stop to pick up your gent.

We would have made it, if you didn't stop to pick up your gent.
register

record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
A video clip called She'll register when she gets there. - Yes, sir.

She'll register when she gets there. - Yes, sir.
run

run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
A video clip called A little, scared kid on Sycamore Street. Now he's running for the district attorney.

A little, scared kid on Sycamore Street. Now he's running for the district attorney.
shoot

throw dice, as in a crap game
A video clip called Five to you. Shoot.

Five to you. Shoot.
spare

give up what is not strictly needed
A video clip called Got one to spare?

Got one to spare?
take

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
A video clip called Scotch. I take a plain water chaser with that when the Scotch isn't so good.

Scotch. I take a plain water chaser with that when the Scotch isn't so good.
take up

take up time or space
A video clip called I don't think you'll take up too much room in my Stanley Steamer.

I don't think you'll take up too much room in my Stanley Steamer.
tell

discern or comprehend
A video clip called Maybe it's too soon to tell.

Maybe it's too soon to tell.
wake

be awake, be alert, be there
A video clip called End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.

End of the line, sailor. Come on, wake up.
welcome

bid welcome to; greet upon arrival
A video clip called Welcome to Iverstown. Well, maybe this time they mean it.

Welcome to Iverstown. Well, maybe this time they mean it.
wonder

have a wish or desire to know something
A video clip called I wonder what you're thinking.

I wonder what you're thinking.
able

(usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
A video clip called We might be able to chase it.

We might be able to chase it.
blue

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
A video clip called Blue lights, music, everything.

Blue lights, music, everything.
born

brought into existence
A video clip called I was born here.

I was born here.
civic

of or relating or belonging to a city
A video clip called But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...

But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...
classy

elegant and fashionable
A video clip called Classy.

Classy.
cold

feeling or showing no enthusiasm
A video clip called Another man I know talks cold like that's my Dad.

Another man I know talks cold like that's my Dad.
cold-blooded

without compunction or human feeling
A video clip called You talk awful cold-blooded about them, don't you?

You talk awful cold-blooded about them, don't you?
deep

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
A video clip called It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.

It is with deep regret that we are forced to announce that Mr. O'Neil will not be able to address this citizens' forum tonight.
elected

subject to popular election
A video clip called Going to be re-elected. Going to be governor.

Going to be re-elected. Going to be governor.
eleven

being one more than ten
A video clip called It's a quarter after eleven.

It's a quarter after eleven.
fortunate

having unexpected good fortune
A video clip called But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...

But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...
four

being one more than three
A video clip called The depot's just across the tracks. You still got four minutes.

The depot's just across the tracks. You still got four minutes.
gone

well in the past; former
A video clip called Anyway, it's gone now, for tonight anyhow.

Anyway, it's gone now, for tonight anyhow.
gracious

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
A video clip called the gracious Mrs. O'Neil, here in the studio tonight to speak for him.

the gracious Mrs. O'Neil, here in the studio tonight to speak for him.
lonesome

marked by dejection from being alone
A video clip called How lonesome is that?

How lonesome is that?
loved

held dear
A video clip called But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...

But we are fortunate to have the best loved civic figure of Iverstown...
necessary

absolutely essential
A video clip called Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.

Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.
plain

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
A video clip called Scotch. I take a plain water chaser with that when the Scotch isn't so good.

Scotch. I take a plain water chaser with that when the Scotch isn't so good.
related

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
A video clip called We're related.

We're related.
sudden

happening without warning or in a short space of time
A video clip called Then, all of a sudden, you're driving along and smacko, your own hometown up and hits you right in the face.

Then, all of a sudden, you're driving along and smacko, your own hometown up and hits you right in the face.
ten

being one more than nine
A video clip called Ten more, you don't make it.

Ten more, you don't make it.
usual

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
A video clip called Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.

Besides me, there were just the usual two people necessary to increase the population.
young

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
A video clip called Here, tell the clerk that Sam Masterson wants a room for a young lady.

Here, tell the clerk that Sam Masterson wants a room for a young lady.
Lesson Instructions
  • Play the video and click the transcript to repeat lines for better understanding.
  • Click on tabs above to explore word definitions and examples.
  • Optionally, print and study from the Lesson PDF
  • Watch the video and study the language until you understand more about what is happening in the story.