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A Child's History of England

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of A Child's History of England is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Charles Dickens • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for A Child's History of England

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

Ireland is the next in size.

The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter I Reading 1/28

A Child's History of England Charles Dickens

Cover illustration for A Child's History of England

Chapter I

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of A Child's History of England is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea. They are England and Scotland, and Ireland. England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands. Ireland is the next in size. The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

A Child's History of England

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of A Child's History of England is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

Line 2

They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

Line 3

England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

Line 4

Ireland is the next in size.

Line 5

The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

All words in this reading · 60

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.

a

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

and

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

are

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

as

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

at

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

be

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

bits

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

broken

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

by

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

chiefly

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

corner

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

course

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

dare

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

dots

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

Eastern

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

England

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

form

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

From this reading England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

great

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

greater

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

From this reading England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

Hemisphere

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

I

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

If

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

in

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

Ireland

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

is

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

From this reading Ireland is the next in size.

Islands

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

left-hand

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

length

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

little

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

look

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

lying

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

Map

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

mere

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

neighbouring

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

next

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

From this reading Ireland is the next in size.

of

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

off

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

part

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

From this reading England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

power

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

restless

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

say

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

Scotland

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

sea

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

see

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

size

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

From this reading Ireland is the next in size.

small

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

so

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

the

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

these

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

From this reading England and Scotland form the greater part of these Islands.

They

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

From this reading They are England and Scotland, and Ireland.

time

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

to

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

two

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

upon

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

upper

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

water

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

which

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

From this reading The little neighbouring islands, which are so small upon the Map as to be mere dots, are chiefly little bits of Scotland,—broken off, I dare say, in the course of a great length of time, by the power of the restless water.

will

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

World

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

you

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

From this reading If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.

Chapter 1 of A Child's History of England by Charles Dickens holds 140 sentences, grouped into 28 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 Child's History of England contain?

Chapter 1 holds 140 sentences of A Child's History of England, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of A Child's History of England by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 140 sentences, grouped into 28 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 Child's History of England?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 Child's History of England

Common questions about reading A Child's History of England by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Child's History of England?

Yes. All 5406 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #699 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Child's History of England is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #699, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Child's History of England take to read?

About 450 minutes of reading across 1082 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Child's History of England section by section

How to work through A Child's History of England section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 37 chapters of A Child's History of England to begin.
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Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in A Child's History of England

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Child's History of England, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

World: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's History of England; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Left-hand: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's History of England; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Upper: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's History of England; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Corner: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's History of England; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.