Dictation Sentences from Black Beauty

The sentences below contain only words that children working at the indicated levels in Spelling Plus should be able to spell. Some words are included that aren't on the lists, but are regularly spelled according to rules children should have learned by the time they get to the list. Pronouns are sometimes used in place of proper nouns to make a sentence easier to spell.

Remember that dictation of sentences from a list should occur in the week after children pass a weekly test on the list, or anytime after that.  If a link in the array below is missing, there are no sentences for that list in this collection.

Level E:  List 37  |  List 38  |  List 39  |  List 40  |  List 41  |  List 42  |  List 43  |  List 44  |  List 45  |  List 46  |  List 47 
Level F:  List 48  |  List 49  |  List 50  |  List 51  |  List 52  |  List 53  |  List 54  |  List 55  |  List 56  |  List 57  |  List 58
Level G:  List 59  |  List 60  |  List 61  |  List 62  |  List 63  |  List 67  |  List 68  |  List 69

Spelling Plus Level E

List 37 from Black Beauty

1. Last year, something happened which I will never forget.
2. But that has little to do with it.
3. All these little things help a horse very much.
4. I never was cleaned so quickly as by that little old man.
5. If we had been a little longer, it would have been too late.
6. He said he should wait a little and look around.
7. I shook him as little as I could help.
8. He pulled up a little and looked, but did not move a step to right or left.
9. “Oh,” he said, tossing his little head.
10. He was there, watching what was going on.
11. I stood under a tree and watched, but no one came to catch me.
12. Two men had left their work to catch her.
13. Sometimes they used to come and play.
14. They asked him in to take a drop of something.
15. A long black train of something flew by.
16. As I lived some years there, I may as well tell something about the place.
17. She did not seem pleased about something, but she said nothing and got in.
18. “Here, somebody,” he shouted, “take this horse while I go back for the other.”
19. In time I got used to everything.
20. Everything he did was rough, and I began to hate him.
21. They were good and kind to everybody and everything.
22. If anybody wants to know, I can tell them.
23. Nothing was said about that.
24. I could do nothing for him nor myself.
25. There was nobody we knew to trust in.

List 38 from Black Beauty

1. She was standing quietly by the side of the road.
2. He went as carefully over my eyes as if they were his own.
3. It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe.
4. “That’s no wonder,” said John.
5. I wondered how we should get on together.
6. There was not a drop of water to drink.
7. I had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs.
8. One of the riders was getting out of the water, covered with mud.
9. At last they closed me in at one corner of the field.

List 39 from Black Beauty

1. I soon learned what he wanted.
2. He was much put out when he learned what had happened.
3. I learned more and more to know what he meant, and what he wanted me to do.
4. He learned quickly, and was so careful that John began to trust him in many things.
5. The next day Joe came to learn all he could before James left.
6. The next morning he came for me early, and ran me round again for a long time.
7. All that I heard was, “She is not dead.”
8. At last I heard steps outside.
9. Then I heard a cry of “Fire!” outside.
10. I heard the door of John’s house open, and his feet running up to the hall.
11. He was at the hall door, for he had heard us coming.
12. Then I began to understand what I had heard.
13. He just took a good look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be.
14. They do sometimes come too close to be pleasant, but we don’t run away.
15. He would give me a piece of bread, which was very good.
16. James shook his head, for he could not yet speak.
17. The fact is, I like to see my horses hold their heads up.
18. Dr. White put his head out and said, “What do you want?”
19. He stood close to our heads to hide his tears.
20. Her head and body were thrown back, as if she were pulling with all her strength.
21. He felt him all over and shook his head.
22. There were some long, heavy hills.
23. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it.

List 40 from Black Beauty

1. It was early in the spring and there had been a little frost in the night.
2. A horse never knows who may buy him, or who may drive him.
3. The door was opened, and Mr. Clay himself came out.
4. We went into the yard and John asked for Mr. York.
5. It was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind. (a man’s voice)
6. I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse.
7. I think you are quite in the right place.
8. It made me think of the summer nights long ago.
9. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her
10. Oh, what a good dinner he gave me that night.
11. Just as the sun was going down we reached the town where we were to spend the night.
12. He did not run, but I never saw a man walk so fast as he did that night.
13. He would get up two or three times in the night to come to me.
14. You understand horses, and somehow they understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself.
15. There was no light and no help at hand.
16. I would not stand in his light for the world.

List 41 from Black Beauty

1. He said he should not leave until six, as he had met with some old friends.
2. I had a dear friend once.
3. There was a short drive up to the house between tall evergreens.
4. It was called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied up.
5. He took great airs on himself because he was a farmer’s son.
6. “Well,” he said, “I bear it because I must.”
7. “No!” he said shortly, “because they are no use.”
8. Before he left us for the night, he said, “I wonder who is coming in my place.”
9. I was off again as fast as before.
10. I think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before.
11. Long before we came to the bend she was out of sight.
12. At this time of night we might stay for hours before help came to us.
13. I came here not long before you did.
14. When I was young I was taken to a place where these things were done.
15. “There is one thing quite clear, young man,” he said.
16. He was young and small, and as yet he knew very little.
17. Now if anyone wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way.
18. It was enough to drive one mad.
19. They did not know when they had had enough, nor when I had had enough.
20. At last I thought we had had enough, so I stopped two or three times.
21. The door had been left open, and I thought that was the place it came through.
22. I can’t, after all I have gone through.
23. She seemed restless, though she said very little.
24. Yes, that is all he thought about.
25. He said he thought he knew one place where I should do well.
26. I thought you knew better than that!
27. The man who brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it.

List 42 from Black Beauty

1. If in any way I can help you, write to me.
2. Even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something was wrong.
3. “There’s something wrong, sir,” said John.
4. “Well,” said John with a laugh, “work and I are very good friends.”
5. They both laughed, and James said, “If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him Rob Roy.”
6. We had hardly turned when we caught sight of her again.
7. “He never taught you a truer thing,” said John.
8. They must be taught what’s what.
9. Of course I did, though John thought not.
10. “Of course,” said York, “I quite understand.”
11. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it is good for trade.
12. I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be helped.
13. In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly.
14. Of course I do not want to have words with a young thing like you.
15. Of course I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know what he meant.
16. Of course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last?

List 43 from Black Beauty

1. If they are as good as they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better.
2. I felt sure there was something wrong, and I made a dead stop.
3. I am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did.
4. I am sure he did the very best he knew.
5. He did not care for us one bit further than to see that we had enough to eat.
6. During this time the mother began to cry.
7. We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home.
8. We were quietly returning when we came to the field.
9. Which way had she turned?
10. She turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too late.
11. Of course, I did not turn round or run away.
12. We did not much mind him, for we could run off, but sometimes a stone would hit us and hurt us.
13. We never went out on Sundays in the summer.

List 44 from Black Beauty

1. The man had promised that he would never taste another drop as long as he lived there.
2. I’ll remember what you have said about her.
3. I well remember one day, just before afternoon school.
4. It was very terrible and made both Ginger and me feel very bad.
5. The rushing sound was terrible.
6. I did not wonder that my mother was so troubled.
7. “Do not trouble your good careful head about me,” she said, laughing.
8. The man seemed much troubled by the sight, and asked what he could do.
9. All the horses would come to him, but I think we were his favorites.
10. People were standing at their doors to have a last look.
11. Some people think it very fine to see this.
12. We could just see that the water was over the middle of it.
13. He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man.

List 45 from Black Beauty

1. “Yes,” she said, “he is really quite a beauty.”
2. What do you say to calling him Black Beauty?
3. Come on, Beauty, what’s the matter?
4. He is sure he did the best he knew, and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again.
5. I will try to give him a good word tomorrow if Beauty is better.
6. He had a large family of boys and girls.
7. “Well,” he said, “I thought I was pretty quick and John quicker still.”
8. I was quite happy in my new place.
9. She is as happy as a bird.
10. Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were about to come over us.
11. Oh, do not hurry yourself.
12. The people in the city always want their horses to carry their heads high and to step high.
13. I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then.
14. “I am very sorry for it, very sorry,” said John, “but I must go now.
15. I’m sorry for you, but I can tell you good places make good horses.
16. I can tell you there is not a better place for a horse all round the country than this.
17. She must leave her home at once, and go to a warm country for two or three years.
18. I don’t believe there is a better pair of horses in the country.
19. It was wonderful what a number of places he would go to in the city on Saturday.

List 46 from Black Beauty

1. The farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the gate.
2. I had only been giving those young people a lesson.
3. I like them very well, but you see I had to give them a lesson.
4. He gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him, but that was too much for John.
5. “Because,” said he, “people won’t buy them unless we do.”
6. The tree fell right across the road just before us.
7. The wind was very high, and blew the dry leaves across the road
8. At first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and that, and after that James drove alone.
9. It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left alone.
10. Here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend.
11. Well, angry as I was, I was almost afraid.
12. Be a good horse, and always do your best.
13. He always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John.
14. I always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to a fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good.

List 47 from Black Beauty

1. I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business.
2. “He had no business to make that turn,” the man said.
3. He goes into houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside.
4. Mind your own business and I’ll mind mine!
5. They carried him to our house.
6. It is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away.
7. “I am angry all over, I can tell you,” said the boy, and then in hurried words he told all that had happened.
8. He tried me in all kinds of ways and with different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear.
9. He tried the second and third, and they too would not come.
10. He tried us all by turns and then left.
11. John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done.
12. The dogs were upon her with their wild cries.

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Spelling Plus Level F

List 48 from Black Beauty

1. He was to get all the practice in driving that could be given to him.
2. “Practice makes perfect,” said the little man.
3. He did not notice it until just about four o’clock.
4. She had a good idea of what was coming.
5. I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else.
6. Her mouth was not so perfect as mine.
7. The black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding.
8. He sold me as a perfectly quiet horse to a man in the country.
9. I believe we horses can tell more by the voice than many men can.
10. It was nearly nine o’clock before he called for me, and then it was with a loud, rough voice.
11. He had his own way of making me understand by the tone of his voice.
12. There was only hardness in him, a hard voice, a hard eye, a hard hand.
13. Any little noise seemed quite loud.
14. I never heard such a noise as they made.

List 49 from Black Beauty

1. His voice was what I should know him by among a thousand.
2. He is about twenty or twenty-one, and he knows his business.
3. No, sir, certainly not, and if anybody has been saying that, I don’t believe it.
4. He rode us across the country about fifteen miles to the park.

List 50 from Black Beauty

1. She liked riding on horseback with her brother or cousins.
2. Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle’s old horse?
3. He had given up all the hard part of the trade to his son.
4. My son has just been sent for, and he has taken the other.
5. I don’t believe that my old grandfather could have gone faster.
6. Your father has a great name in these parts.
7. He was like a father to me.
8. He sometimes carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father.
9. His father would like to give him the chance.
10. If you get on well, as I am sure you will, it will be a fine thing for your mother.
11. While I was young I lived upon my mother’s milk, as I could not eat grass.
12. During this time the mother began to cry.
13. Think it over, talk to your mother at dinner, and then let me know what you wish.
14. As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to work in the daytime, and come back in the evening.

List 51 from Black Beauty

1. I wondered how we should get on together.
2. I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear cold air.
3. John said, “Yes, sir,” and was on my back in a minute.
4. In a minute we had left John far behind.

List 52 from Black Beauty

1. “All right,” he said, “I will soon be ready.”
2. All right, sir, I’ll do my best, and I pray the dear young lady may open her eyes soon.
3. “No,” said Smith, “that will be all right till we get home.”
4. I will be nineteen next May, sir.

List 53 from Black Beauty

1. The medicine did well and sent me off to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better.
2. “My poor Beauty,” he said one day.
3. How troubled their mother was, poor thing!
4. We stood about fifteen and a half hands high.
5. “He is fourteen and a half,” said John.
6. He said he should stay half an hour to see how the medicine worked.
7. There was no answer, but I heard a crash of something falling.
8. Now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up night and day.
9. Of course he listened to what the man said, and so I was sold again.
10. “I don’t often speak of myself,” said John.
11. Joe’s father would often come in and give a little help, as he understood the work.
12. My master, too, often came to see me.
13. I often thought of John’s words when I came to know more of the world.
14. I was very wild, no doubt, and gave them a lot of trouble.

List 54 from Black Beauty

1. Had the horses been able to see, they would have kept further from the edge.
2. He must have fallen with great force.
3. It’s not for me to say who has been trying to take away James’ character.
4. She gave her work when she was able to do it.
5. He wants a man who will be able to step into his place.
6. I saw James coming through the smoke, and he was not able to speak.
7. He had given animals knowledge which was much more perfect in its way.
8. The wheels went too near the edge, and the cart was overturned into the water.
9. By the time we got to the bridge it was very nearly dark.
10. When my feet touched the first part of the bridge I was sure there was something wrong.
11. He might possibly be sentenced to two or three months in prison.

List 55 from Black Beauty

1. You see, I have been around horses ever since I was twelve years old.
2. I felt hungry, for I had not eaten since the early morning.
3. Many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first.
4. He spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children.
5. “What!” said I, “you threw the children off?”
6. I am the best friend those children have!
7. Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding.
8. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two hours, and then the boys thought it was their turn.
9. It means to teach a horse to carry on his back a man, woman or child.
10. “To the right!” cried the woman, pointing with her hand.
11. There was a woman sitting on the ground with the lady’s head in her lap.

List 56 from Black Beauty

1. “I would not sell that horse for any money,” he said.
2. He put some money into Smith’s hand and bid him goodbye.
3. As we came near he made a sign to speak.
4. He was a builder who had often been to the park on business.
5. At first no one could guess how the fire had been caused.
6. I found a bitter feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before.
7. Toward the end of the second week he told me that he thought the boy would turn out well.
8. I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a powerful man driving toward us.
9. Two of the boys were older, and there were several little ones.
10. Several men came to catch me.

List 57 from Black Beauty

1. “No, no, John,” said the doctor, “I hope not.”
2. When we came to the hill the doctor drew me up.
3. The doctor said if we had been a little longer it would have been too late.
4. The horse that was put into it was not tied up, but left loose, to do as he liked.
5. Mr. Bond, the doctor, came every day.

List 58 from Black Beauty

1. I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you.
2. We had a regular fight, and I cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off.
3. He just caught sight of the flying figure, now far away on the road.
4. For about a mile and a half, the road ran straight, then bent to the right.
5. “Put yourself a bit straight,” said John.

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