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A Book of American Explorers
A Book of American Explorers

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Book of American Explorers
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
│ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.
│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.
Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.
These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a
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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.

A Book of American Explorers

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Line 2
│ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.
/ˈkærəktərz ɪn smɔːl kæps hæv bɪn ˌriːˈpleɪst baɪ ɔːl kæps/
Line 3
│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.
Line 4
Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.
/wɜːrdz meɪ hæv ˈmʌltəpəl ˈspelɪŋ ˌveriˈeɪʃənz ɔːr ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt ˌhaɪfəˈneɪʃən ɪn ðə tekst/
Line 5
These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a
/ðiːz hæv bɪn left ənˈtʃeɪndʒd ənˈles ˈɪndəkeɪtəd wɪð ə/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

hyphenation noun US /ˌhaɪfəˈneɪʃən/

division of a word especially at the end of a line on a page

From this reading “Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.”

inconsistent adjective US /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt/

displaying a lack of consistency

From this reading “Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.”

Italic noun US /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading “│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.”

multiple adjective US /ˈmʌltəpəl/

having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual

From this reading “Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.”

spelling noun US /ˈspelɪŋ/

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading “│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.”

standardized adjective US /ˈstændərdaɪzd/

brought into conformity with a standard

From this reading “│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.”

unchanged adjective US /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/

not made or become different

From this reading “These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a”

variations noun US /ˌveriˈeɪʃənz/

plural of “variation” — an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading “Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

replaced by verb + particle counted as “replace by”

In this reading “│ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.”

many words adjective + noun

In this reading “│ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.”

All words in this reading · 44

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

capsnounUS /kæps/

plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/

plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

CharactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

hyphenationnounUS /ˌhaɪfəˈneɪʃən/

division of a word especially at the end of a line on a page

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

inconsistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt/

displaying a lack of consistency

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

ItalicnounUS /aɪˈtælɪk/

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

multipleadjectiveUS /ˈmʌltəpəl/

having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

Non-printable

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

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading │ │ │ │ Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps.

spellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

standardizedadjectiveUS /ˈstændərdaɪzd/

brought into conformity with a standard

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

transliterationnoun

a transcription from one alphabet to another

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

unchangedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/

not made or become different

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

variationsnounUS /ˌveriˈeɪʃənz/

plural of “variation” — an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ with a

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading │ │ │ │ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ transliteration: │ │ Italic text: --> _text_ │ │ │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling.

Chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson holds 188 sentences, grouped into 38 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers contain?

Chapter 1 holds 188 sentences of A Book of American Explorers, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 188 sentences, grouped into 38 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of A Book of American Explorers?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Book of American Explorers

Common questions about reading A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Book of American Explorers?

Yes. All 2577 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56346 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Book of American Explorers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56346, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Book of American Explorers take to read?

About 214 minutes of reading across 516 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Book of American Explorers section by section

How to work through A Book of American Explorers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of A Book of American Explorers to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A Book of American Explorers

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Book of American Explorers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Characters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Book of American Explorers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Small
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Book of American Explorers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Replaced
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Book of American Explorers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Non-printable
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Book of American Explorers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.