domingo, 15 de agosto de 2021

TO BUILD A FIRE

 



The story today is called "To Build a Fire."  It was written by Jack London. 

Here is Ghost teller with the story.


The man walked down the trail on a cold, gray day. This was his first winter in Alaska.  He was wearing heavy clothes and fur boots. The man was on his way to a camp near Henderson Creek, His friends were already there, and they would have a fire and hot food ready for him.

A dog walked behind the man.  It was a big gray animal, half dog and half wolf. The man continued to walk down the trail and He came to a frozen stream called Indian Creek. 

At about twelve o’clock, the man decided to stop to eat his lunch. He made a fire, beginning with small pieces of wood and adding larger ones. He sat on a snow-covered log and ate his lunch. At a place where the snow seemed very solid, the ice broke and his feet sank into the water. It was not deep, but his legs got wet to the knees. He would have to build a fire now to dry his clothes and boots. He walked over to some small trees. He put several large pieces of wood on the snow, under one of the trees. On top of the wood, he put some grass and dry branches and lighted the fire.

He sat under the tree and thought of the old men in Fairbanks that the old men had told him that no man should travel alone in the Yukon when the temperature is sixty degrees below zero. Yet here he was. He had had an accident. He was alone. And he had saved himself. He had built a fire. The dog was still watching him. The man got an idea. He would kill the dog and bury his hands inside its warm body. He called to the dog. The man reached for his knife. But he had forgotten that he could not bend his fingers. He could not kill the dog, because he could not hold his knife.

The fear of death came over the man. He jumped up and began to run. He fell several times and he decided to rest a while. As he lay in the snow, he noticed that he was not shaking. He could not feel his nose or fingers or feet. Yet, he was feeling quite warm and comfortable.He realized he was going to die. Well, he decided, he might as well take it like a man. The dog sat facing him, waiting. Finally, the dog moved closer to the man and caught the smell of death. The animal threw back its head. It let out a long, soft cry to the cold stars in the black sky.

And then it tuned and ran toward Henderson Creek…where it knew there was food and a fire.




COVERED

Covered

US [ˈkʌvɚd]

Adj.Cubierto; recubierto.


Original sentence:

1. Pure white snow and ice covered the Earth for as far as he could see.

Our sentences:

2. It was covered in blood.

3. The man was covered with scars.




SUDDENLY

Suddenly

US [ˈsʌdn̩lɪ]

Adv. De repente; De pronto; Inesperadamente.


Original sentence:

1. He stopped suddenly, and then walked around a part of the frozen stream.

Our sentences:

2. Suddenly he realized the truth.

3. Suddenly I hear a strange sound.




SEEMED

Seemed

US [ˈsimd]

V. Parecer

pl. Seem  pa. t. Seemed   pa. pple. Seemed     

pr. pple. Seeming


Original sentence:

1. At a place where the snow seemed very solid, the ice broke.

Our sentences:

2. My dream had seemed so real.

3. Its fall seemed so slow.




UNDERGROUND

Underground

US [ˌʌndɚˈɡɹaʊnd]

V. Soterrar

Adj. Subterráneo;Clandestino.

Adv. Bajo tierra.

Noun. Subsuelo; Suburbano.

pl. Undergrounds  pa. t. Undergrounded   pa. pple. Undergrounded     

pr. pple. Undergrounding


Original sentence:

1. He saw that an underground spring flowed under the ice at that spot.

Our sentences:

2. They just said that she's underground.

3. That underground railway of yours is amazing.





PULLED

Pulled

US [ˈpʊɫd]

V. Tirar; Atraer; Arrancar; Apretar.

Adj. Sacado; Tirada; Extraída.

pl. Pulls  pa. t. Pulled  pa. pple. Pulled  

pr. pple. Pulling


Original sentence:

1. He opened his jacket and shirt, and pulled out his bread and meat.

Our sentences:

2. He pulled me off the rope and I fell

3. Either way, she pulled it out.




AGAINST

Against

US [əˈɡɛntst]

Adv. En contra


Original sentence:

1. He hit his hand against his leg several times until he felt a sharp pain.

Our sentences:

2. I lean against the wall.

3. She was fun to play against.





DELAY

Delay

US [dɪˈleɪ]

V. Retrasar; Demorar; Retardar

Noun. Retardo; Retraso

pl. Delays  pa. t. Delayed  pa. pple. Delayed  

pr. pple. Delaying


Original sentence:

1. The accident would delay his arrival at the camp.

Our sentences:

2. I may have to delay a bit.

3. Hurry up and don't delay.





BRANCHES

Branches

US [ˈbɹæntʃəz]

V. Bifurcarse

Noun. Rama; Sucursal

pl. Branches  pa. t. Branched  pa. pple. Branched  

pr. pple. Branching


Original sentence:

1. In their branches were pieces of dry grass and wood left by flood waters earlier in the year.

Our sentences:

2. The branches are freshly cut.

3. Cash transaction reporting by branches.





MATCHES

Matches

US [ˈmætʃəz]

V. Igualar; Emparejar; Coincidir; Corresponder.

Noun. Partidos; Fósforos; Cerillas; Pareja

pl. Matches  pa. t. Matched  pa. pple. Matched  

pr. pple. Matching


Original sentence:

1. He pulled off his gloves, took out his matches, and lighted the fire.

Our sentences:

2. I have to watch matches.

3. I also have wax matches.





WITHDRAW

Withdraw

US [wɪθˈdɹɑ]

V. Retirar; Retirarse; Revocar

pl. Withdraws  pa. t. Withdrew  pa. pple. Withdrawn  

pr. pple. Withdrawing


Original sentence:

1. Cold was forcing his blood to withdraw deeper into his body.

Our sentences:

2. She did not withdraw her hand.

3. Then they will be given one last chance to withdraw.





DEGREES

Degrees

US [dɪˈɡɹiz]

Noun. Grados; Título; Diploma; Carrera.


Original sentence:

1. The old men had told him that no man should travel alone in the Yukon when the temperature is sixty degrees below zero.

Our sentences:

2. The mother has a certain degree of concern for her child.

3. She has a degree in Sociology from Harvard University.





REACHED

Reached

US [ˈɹitʃt]

V. Alcanzar

Adj. Alcanzado; Logrado; Obtenido

pl. Reaches  pa. t. Reached  pa. pple. Reached  

pr. pple. Reaching


Original sentence:

1. He reached into his pocket for the matches.

Our sentences:

2. She reached her objective.

3. The future has reached me.





GATHERED

Gathered

US [ˈɡæðɚd]

V. Recabar; recoger; recolectar; reunirse.

Adj. Reunido; recogidos; recolectado; recabado.

pl. Gatherings      pa. t. Gathered  

pa. pple. Gathered   pr. pple. Gathering


Original sentence:

1. He gathered them together.

Our sentences:

2. He gathered her in his arms.

3. He gathered some grasses and took them away.





SCRATCHED

Scratched

US [ˈskɹætʃt]

V. Rayar; Arañar; Rascar; Rasguñar.

Adj. Rasguño; Arañazo; Rayado.

pl. Scratches  pa. t. Scratched  pa. pple. Scratched  

pr. pple. Scratching


Original sentence:

1. He scratched the matches along his leg.

Our sentences:

2. The translator scratched his head.

3. When they weren't looking he scratched.





BLAZING

Blazing

US [ˈbleɪzɪŋ]

V. Arder; Brillar; Flamear.

Noun. Resplandor; Fuego; Llamarada.

pl. Blazes  pa. t. Blazed  pa. pple. Blazed  

pr. pple. Blazing


Original sentence:

1. He held the blazing matches to a piece of wood.

Our sentences:

2. It was August and blazing hot

3. His eyes were blazing with power.





AWARE

Aware

US [əˈwɛr]

Adj. Conciente; Al corriente.


Original sentence:

1. He became aware that he could smell his hands burning.

Our sentences:

2. He was very aware that.

3. I became aware of her attention.





GROUND

Ground

US [ˈɡɹaʊnd]

V. Suelo; Superficie; 

Noun. Tierra; Suelo; Terreno.

pl. Grounds  pa. t. Grounded  pa. pple. Grounded  

pr. pple. Grounding


Original sentence:

1. It felt strange to run and not feel his feet when they hit the ground.

Our sentences:

2. I fell to the ground when I threw the ball.

3. The ground was wet and dry at the same time.





SHAKING

Shaking

US [ˈʃeɪkɪŋ]

V. Sacudir; Agitar; estrechar

Adj. Tembloroso; Desconcertante; Conmocion

Noun. Sacudida; Estremecimiento.

pl. Shakes  pa. t. Shook  pa. pple. Shaken  

pr. pple. Shaking


Original sentence:

1. He noticed that he was not shaking.

Our sentences:

2. I’m shaking like a kid.

3. He was shaking with nerves.




FLOATED

Floated

US [ˈfloʊtəd]

V. Flotar; Hacer flotar; Boyar.

Noun. Flotador; Carrozas; Balsas.

pl. Floats  pa. t. Floated  pa. pple. Floated  

pr. pple. Floating


Original sentence:

1. The man closed his eyes and floated into the most comfortable sleep he had ever known.

Our sentences:

2. I contacted him and floated the idea.

3. It floated on the water.





TUNED

Tuned

US [ˈtund]

V.  Sintonizar; Ajustar; Afinar;

Adj. Sintonizado; Afinado; Ajustado.

pl. Branches  pa. t. Tuned  pa. pple. Tuned 

pr. pple. Tuning


Original sentence:

1. And then it tuned and ran toward Henderson Creek.

Our sentences:

2. The TV was tuned to HCH.

3. It is tuned to channels one and five.



























domingo, 25 de julio de 2021

THE BOARDED WINDOW

 


 

It was written by Ambrose Bierce. 

In 1830, only a few miles away from what is now the great city of Cincinnati, Ohio.

A man lived alone in a house of logs. His little log house had a single door. Directly opposite was a window. The window was boarded up.The man's name was said to be Murlock. He was fifty years old. One day Murlock was found in his cabin, dead. I know only that the body was buried near the cabin, next to the burial place of his wife.

There is an earlier part to this story supplied by my grandfather. When Murlock built his cabin he was young, strong. He had married a young woman, in all ways worthy of his honest love and loyalty. One day Murlock returned from hunting in a deep part of the forest. He found his wife sick with fever.  So Murlock tried to take care of his wife. But at the end of the third day she died. He was surprised that he did not cry — surprised and a little ashamed.

"Tomorrow," he said out loud, "I shall have to make the coffin.

He fixed the hair. At that moment a long, screaming sound came in through the open window. But the man did not move. His senses were all alert. Suddenly the table shook under his arms.  At the same time he heard a soft and light step.

Then something most frightful happened. It seemed as if a heavy body was thrown against the table with a force. It was so violent a crash that the whole house shook. Extreme fear had caused him to lose control of his senses.

Murlock ran quickly to the wall. He seized his loaded rifle and fired. The flash from the rifle lit the room. He saw a huge fierce panther dragging the dead woman toward the window. The wild animal's teeth were fixed on her throat! The clothing was ruined. The long hair was in disorder. And a pool of blood flowed from the horribly torn throat.




BURIAL 

Burial

US /ber.i.əl/

Noun. Entierro


Original sentence:

1.      When he was sure she was dead, Murlock had sense enough to remember that the dead must be prepared for burial.

 Our sentences:

2.      He's at the burial of his sister.

3.      I don't know what to wear to go to the burial.

 

 




BURIED 

Buried

US /berēd/

V. Enterrear

Adj. Enterrado; Sepultado.

pl. Burials  pa. t. Buried   pa. pple. Buried      pr. pple. Burying


Original sentences:

1.      I know only that the body was buried near the cabin, next to the burial place of his wife. 

      Our sentences:

2.      My car is buried under a mountain of snow.

3.      I was buried under a pile of stuff on your bed.

               

 


CARELESS 

Careless




US /ˈker.ləs/

Adj. Descuidada; Poco cuidadosa; Negligente; Imprudente.


Original sentences:

1.      The arms and legs lay in a careless way.

 Our sentences:

2.      She´s very careless with her belongings.

3.      His essay was a careless piece of work and full of mistakes.

 





 

COFFIN 

Coffin




US /kɑː.fɪn/

V. Tomar el ataúd.

Noun. Ataúd; Féretro; Cajon.


Original sentence:

1.    "Tomorrow," he said out loud, "I shall have to make the coffin and dig the grave; and then I shall miss her, when she is no longer in sight.

Our sentences:

2.      He wanted a mahogany coffin for burial.

3.      In the books Dracula slept in a coffin.

 

 



DEEP

Deep

US /diːp/

Adj. Profundo; Hondo; Intenso; Grave.

Adv. Profundamente

Noun. El fondo.


Original sentence:

1.      Murlock had no experience in deep sadness.

Our sentences:

2.      Take a deep breath I'm going to get help.

3.      Deep down, there's no one more competitive than Lucia.

 

 



DISAPPEARING

Disappearing

US /di·suh·pee·ruhng/

V. Desaparecer; Hacer desaparecer; Desvanecerse; Ocultarse.

Pl. Disappears  Pa. t. Disappeared   Pa. pple. Disappeared     Pr. pple. Disappearing


Original sentence:

1.      He stood over the body of his wife in the disappearing light.

 Our sentences:

2.      Maria wasn’t the disappearing type in the middle of class.

3.      He frowns, his uncertainty disappearing.

  




DROOPING

Drooping

US /ˈdruː.pɪŋ/

Adj. Caido; Marchito; Gacho.


Original sentence:

1.      He was tall and thin with drooping shoulders—like someone with many problems.

 Our sentences:

2.      My drooping eyes looked at ground.

3.      She sighed, her head drooping.

 




ENDLESS

Endless

US  /end.ləs/

Adj. Interminable; Sin fin.


Original sentence:

1.      Ohio, lay a huge and almost endless forest.

Our sentences:

2.      These projects are endless.

3.     Her energy also seemed endless.

 


 


FRIGHTFUL

Frightful

US /ˈfraɪt.fəl/

Adj. Espantoso; Horrible; Horrendo.


Original sentence:

1.      Then something most frightful happened.

 Our sentences:

2.      I was struck by the frightful change in her face.

3.      Her boots are frightful, but her hat was beautiful.





FRIGHTENED

Frightened

US /ˈfraɪ.tənd/

Adj. Aterrado; Espantado; Asustado.


Original sentence:

1.      Where the animal had left it when frightened away by the light and sound of the rifle.

 Our sentences:

2.      He is frightened of a bee.

3.     He was shocked and frightened.

 

 




FURTHER

Further

US /ˈfɝː.ðɚ/

V. Promover; Fomentar; Adelantar.

Adj.  Adicional; Nuevo; Complementario.

Adv. Además; Más lejos; Más allá.

Pl. Furthers   Pa. t. Furthered   Pa. pple. Furthered     Pr. pple. Furthering


Original sentence:

1.      Many of them had already left the area for settlements further to the west.

 Our sentences:

2.      We can then further extend the living room.

3.      I got off the bus further than usual.

 

 




SETTLEMENTS

Settlements

US /set̬.əl.mənt/

Noun. Asentamientos.


Original sentence:

1.      The area had a few settlements established by people of the frontier.

 Our sentences:

2.      He studies the settlements and the identification of those.

3.      I can't even count the number of towns and settlements I have been to.

 

 




STRAINED

Strained 

US  /streɪnd/

Adj. Tenso; Forzado; Torcido; Afectado.


Original sentence:

1.      He strained his eyes to see -- he knew not what.

 Our sentences:

2.      They strained to hear his lowered voice.

3.      She strained to get up, but was knocked.

 





SURROUNDED

Surrounded

US /sr·own·duhd/

Adj. Rodeado, Sitiado.


Original sentence:

1.      He lived alone in a house of logs surrounded on all sides by the great forest.

 Our sentences:

2.      I was surrounded by liars.

3.      The family surrounded her bed.

 





TIGHTLY

Tightly

US /ˈtaɪt.li/

Adv. Hermeticamente; Estrechamente; Apretadamente.


Original sentence:

1.      The hands were tightly closed.

 Our sentences:

2.      He clenched his fists tightly.

3.      She wears tightly clothing.

 





UNEARTHLY

Unearthly

US /ʌnˈɝːθ.li/

Adj. Sobrenatural; Inverosimil.


Original sentence:

1.      He heard that unearthly cry upon his failing sense, again and nearer than before.  

 Our sentences:

2.      The smell was unbearable, I can't describe it, but the rot was unearthly.

3.      He's cut off as a howl rips through the air, long and unearthly.

 





UNKIND

Unkind

US /ʌnˈkaɪnd/

Adj. Cruel; Poco amable; Duro; Despiadado.


Original sentences:

1.      Surely it is unkind not to cry for the dead.

 Our sentences:

2.      The looks were not unkind, but not pleasant either.

3.      The years have sometimes been unkind.

 





WRINKLED

Wrinkled

US /ˈrɪŋ.kəld/

Adj. Arrugado; Rugoso.


Original sentences.

1.      His face was wrinkled.

 Our sentences:

2.       He held a wrinkled paper bag.

3.       Rita wrinkled her nose at the nickname.

 






WRISTS

Wrists

US /rɪst/

Noun. Muñecas.


Original sentences:

1.      The ribbon he had used to tie the wrists was broken.

 Our sentences

2.      He felt something tight around his wrists.

3.       I wouldn’t want to exhaust my poor wrists.

 






WORTHY

Worthy

US /ˈwɝː.ði/

Adj. Valioso; Digno.


Original sentence:

1.      He had married a young woman, in all ways worthy of his honest love and loyalty.

 Our sentences:

2.      I hope that she is worthy of you.

3.      His family are worthy of him.

 

 

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