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The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

You Poor Child

(Lesson 1)

Total words 109 Video duration 16:15



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attic

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
A video clip called I want to run up to the attic. I want to get a couple of things.

I want to run up to the attic. I want to get a couple of things.
cake

baked goods made from or based on a mixture of flour, sugar, eggs, and fat
A video clip called You may give him a piece of cake, too.

You may give him a piece of cake, too.
candle

stick of wax with a wick in the middle
A video clip called There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.

There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.
cat

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
A video clip called You'd better, miss. You know how she feels about that cat.

You'd better, miss. You know how she feels about that cat.
chump

a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
A video clip called Don't rough her, you chump.

Don't rough her, you chump.
curtain

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
A video clip called I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.

I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.
day

some point or period in time
A video clip called My father says that some day you'll have everything in the world.

My father says that some day you'll have everything in the world.
dirt

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
A video clip called That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.

That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.
duty

work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons
A video clip called My father said it was my duty to tell them. Your father.

My father said it was my duty to tell them. Your father.
food

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
A video clip called I brought you food. For the kitten, too.

I brought you food. For the kitten, too.
foundation

an institution supported by an endowment
A video clip called But I'm not a foundation, Mr. O'Neil.

But I'm not a foundation, Mr. O'Neil.
front

the side that is forward or prominent
A video clip called Out of that front door, he left. See, it's open.

Out of that front door, he left. See, it's open.
fur

a garment made of the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
A video clip called I'll take your furs, miss.

I'll take your furs, miss.
grime

the state of being covered with unclean things
A video clip called That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.

That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.
harvard

a university in Massachusetts
A video clip called I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.

I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.
ice cream

frozen dessert containing cream and sugar and flavoring
A video clip called Take the boy to the kitchen, Lynch. Give him some ice cream.

Take the boy to the kitchen, Lynch. Give him some ice cream.
keyhole

the hole where a key is inserted
A video clip called Your aunt's got every cop in Iverstown peeping through keyholes.

Your aunt's got every cop in Iverstown peeping through keyholes.
kitten

young domestic cat
A video clip called I brought you food. For the kitten, too.

I brought you food. For the kitten, too.
kitty

young domestic cat
A video clip called Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
light

any device serving as a source of illumination
A video clip called The lights! What happened to the lights?

The lights! What happened to the lights?
might

physical strength
A video clip called You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.

You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.
milk

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
A video clip called I thought she'd be hungry, so I sneaked the milk, too.

I thought she'd be hungry, so I sneaked the milk, too.
mill

machinery that processes materials by grinding or crushing
A video clip called Your father was a nobody, a mill hand.

Your father was a nobody, a mill hand.
news

information about recent and important events
A video clip called I have good news. Martha...

I have good news. Martha...
nobody

a person of no influence
A video clip called Your father was a nobody, a mill hand.

Your father was a nobody, a mill hand.
noise

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
A video clip called We heard a noise and we came down.

We heard a noise and we came down.
peep

the short weak cry of a young bird
A video clip called One peep out of you, and I'll break your nose.

One peep out of you, and I'll break your nose.
piece

a separate part of a whole
A video clip called You may give him a piece of cake, too.

You may give him a piece of cake, too.
play

(in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
A video clip called Your play.

Your play.
policeman

a member of a police force
A video clip called A policeman came to my house this morning.

A policeman came to my house this morning.
pupil

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
A video clip called You've lost your pupil, Mr. O'Neil.

You've lost your pupil, Mr. O'Neil.
reform school

correctional institution for the detention and discipline and training of young or first offenders
A video clip called If he's caught here he'll be sent to reform school.

If he's caught here he'll be sent to reform school.
scholarship

financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit
A video clip called A scholarship for Walter, that's why.

A scholarship for Walter, that's why.
story

a piece of fiction that narrates a chain of related events
A video clip called And if we get caught, don't go making up any stories that I did.

And if we get caught, don't go making up any stories that I did.
table

a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs
A video clip called There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.

There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.
thing

an action
A video clip called The best thing he ever did for you was to die.

The best thing he ever did for you was to die.
thing

a vaguely specified concern
A video clip called I didn't say a thing.

I didn't say a thing.
thing

an artifact
A video clip called I want to run up to the attic. I want to get a couple of things.

I want to run up to the attic. I want to get a couple of things.
truck

an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
A video clip called I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.

I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.
wall

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
A video clip called There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.

There's a candle and matches on the table near the wall.
wing

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
A video clip called All right, kids. Unless you got wings, you're caught.

All right, kids. Unless you got wings, you're caught.
witch

a female sorcerer or magician
A video clip called Hurry, Sam, or that old witch will catch us.

Hurry, Sam, or that old witch will catch us.
break

become separated into pieces or fragments
A video clip called One peep out of you, and I'll break your nose.

One peep out of you, and I'll break your nose.
bring back

bring back to the point of departure
A video clip called Each time you were brought back here. No matter how far you got you were brought back here.

Each time you were brought back here. No matter how far you got you were brought back here.
button

fasten with buttons
A video clip called See, Walter, I told you they'd never catch him. Sam, button me up.

See, Walter, I told you they'd never catch him. Sam, button me up.
catch

succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
A video clip called You'll never catch him! You'll never catch him!

You'll never catch him! You'll never catch him!
catch

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
A video clip called Hurry, Sam, or that old witch will catch us.

Hurry, Sam, or that old witch will catch us.
change

change clothes; put on different clothes
A video clip called I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.

I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.
dare

to be courageous enough to try or do something
A video clip called Shut up! Shut up! How dare you? Shut up!

Shut up! Shut up! How dare you? Shut up!
deserve

be worthy or deserving
A video clip called Your aunt doesn't deserve such an attitude, Martha.

Your aunt doesn't deserve such an attitude, Martha.
draw

cause to move by pulling
A video clip called I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.

I'm afraid of the thunder and lightning. Draw the curtains! I'll go in to change.
drive

operate or control a vehicle
A video clip called I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.

I don't care whether Walter drives a truck or goes to Harvard.
find

come upon after searching; find the location of something that was missed or lost
A video clip called You won't let them find me?

You won't let them find me?
follow

to travel behind, go after, come after
A video clip called When it does, you just follow me.

When it does, you just follow me.
get into

put clothing on one's body
A video clip called Go up to your room and get into some dry clothes.

Go up to your room and get into some dry clothes.
go out

become extinguished
A video clip called They went out.

They went out.
grab

take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
A video clip called You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.

You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.
happen

happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance
A video clip called The lights! What happened to the lights?

The lights! What happened to the lights?
have

serve oneself to, or consume regularly
A video clip called After you've had dinner, I want to have a talk with you.

After you've had dinner, I want to have a talk with you.
leave

act or be so as to become in a specified state
A video clip called I'll leave the door open, so I can hear you.

I'll leave the door open, so I can hear you.
lie

be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
A video clip called And this... This was lying there, too.

And this... This was lying there, too.
look for

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
A video clip called They looking for me?

They looking for me?
mother

care for like a mother
A video clip called Your name is Ivers, the same as your mother's was, before she was stupid enough to marry...

Your name is Ivers, the same as your mother's was, before she was stupid enough to marry...
offer

make available or accessible, provide or furnish
A video clip called I know why you offered to tutor Martha.

I know why you offered to tutor Martha.
peep

look furtively
A video clip called Your aunt's got every cop in Iverstown peeping through keyholes.

Your aunt's got every cop in Iverstown peeping through keyholes.
pick up

take up by hand
A video clip called I picked it up.

I picked it up.
put down

cause to come to the ground
A video clip called Put it down.

Put it down.
reward

act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
A video clip called The boy will be rewarded.

The boy will be rewarded.
rough up

treat violently
A video clip called Don't rough her, you chump.

Don't rough her, you chump.
run

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
A video clip called You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.

You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.
see

go to see for professional or business reasons
A video clip called Mr. O'Neil to see you, ma'am.

Mr. O'Neil to see you, ma'am.
send

cause to be directed or transmitted to another place
A video clip called If he's caught here he'll be sent to reform school.

If he's caught here he'll be sent to reform school.
show

indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
A video clip called Show him in.

Show him in.
shut

become closed
A video clip called Shut the door, quick.

Shut the door, quick.
shut up

refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent
A video clip called Shut up and eat.

Shut up and eat.
shut up

cause to be quiet or not talk
A video clip called Shut up! Shut up! How dare you? Shut up!

Shut up! Shut up! How dare you? Shut up!
sneak

to go stealthily or furtively
A video clip called Lynch told me to sneak Bundles to you.

Lynch told me to sneak Bundles to you.
steal

take without the owner's consent
A video clip called Did you steal it?

Did you steal it?
think

use or exercise the mind or one's power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, or arrive at a solution or judgments
A video clip called I thought she'd be hungry, so I sneaked the milk, too.

I thought she'd be hungry, so I sneaked the milk, too.
think over

reflect deeply on a subject
A video clip called I thought it over, Martha. It's better for you here.

I thought it over, Martha. It's better for you here.
tutor

be a tutor to someone; give individual instruction
A video clip called I know why you offered to tutor Martha.

I know why you offered to tutor Martha.
wash

cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
A video clip called That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.

That I'm trying to wash the dirt and grime off you.
worry

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
A video clip called Don't you worry about me, Sam.

Don't you worry about me, Sam.
best

(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities
A video clip called The best thing he ever did for you was to die.

The best thing he ever did for you was to die.
bright

characterized by quickness and ease in learning
A video clip called Well, he's a good boy, and he's bright.

Well, he's a good boy, and he's bright.
dry

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
A video clip called Go up to your room and get into some dry clothes.

Go up to your room and get into some dry clothes.
expected

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
A video clip called You are expected, miss.

You are expected, miss.
foolish

devoid of good sense or judgment
A video clip called My father says you're foolish.

My father says you're foolish.
found

come upon unexpectedly or after searching
A video clip called Well, it was Walter who was really responsible for Martha being found.

Well, it was Walter who was really responsible for Martha being found.
fourth

coming next after the third and just before the fifth in position or time or degree or magnitude
A video clip called This is the fourth time you've tried to run away.

This is the fourth time you've tried to run away.
happy

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
A video clip called Probably be a lot happier driving a truck.

Probably be a lot happier driving a truck.
kind

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
A video clip called There are not very many women who would be as patient and as kind.

There are not very many women who would be as patient and as kind.
little

(of children and animals) young, immature
A video clip called And there aren't very many little girls who would be as ungrateful.

And there aren't very many little girls who would be as ungrateful.
patient

enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance
A video clip called There are not very many women who would be as patient and as kind.

There are not very many women who would be as patient and as kind.
poor

deserving or inciting pity
A video clip called You poor child.

You poor child.
quiet

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
A video clip called Shh. Be quiet!

Shh. Be quiet!
responsible

worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
A video clip called Well, it was Walter who was really responsible for Martha being found.

Well, it was Walter who was really responsible for Martha being found.
tight

closely constrained or constricted or constricting
A video clip called You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.

You run with all your might, and when you grab on, grab tight.
ungrateful

not feeling or showing gratitude
A video clip called And there aren't very many little girls who would be as ungrateful.

And there aren't very many little girls who would be as ungrateful.
whole

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
A video clip called You don't own the whole world.

You don't own the whole world.
Lesson Instructions
  • Play the video and click the transcript to repeat lines for better understanding.
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