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A Quarter-Back's Pluck
A Quarter-Back's Pluck

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck is here in full — 120 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Quarter-Back's Pluck
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.
"Smash through 'em!
Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."
"There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.
"Never mind, we can do it.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Quarter-Back's Pluck

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck is here in full — 120 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.
Line 2
"Smash through 'em!
/smæʃ θruː em/
Line 3
Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."
Line 4
"There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.
Line 5
"Never mind, we can do it.
/ˈnevər maɪnd wiː kæn duː ɪt/

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.

fellows noun US /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

kick verb US /kɪk/

drive or propel with the foot

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

players noun US /ˈpleɪərz/

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

queer adjective US /kwɪr/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

score noun US /skɔːr/

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

Smash verb US /smæʃ/

hit hard

From this reading “"Smash through 'em!”

tie noun US /taɪ/

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

win verb US /wɪn/

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading “"GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.”

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.

five minutes noun + noun

In this reading “"There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.”

All words in this reading · 59

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

CrossverbUS /krɔːs/

travel across or pass over

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Never mind, we can do it.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading "Smash through 'em!

fellowsnounUS /ˈfeloʊz/

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

fieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

GIRLSnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Never mind, we can do it.

kickverbUS /kɪk/

drive or propel with the foot

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

kick-off

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

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading "Never mind, we can do it.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

NeveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "Never mind, we can do it.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

on-side

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

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

Phil

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

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

QUEERadjectiveUS /kwɪr/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

scorenounUS /skɔːr/

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

SmashverbUS /smæʃ/

hit hard

From this reading "Smash through 'em!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "Smash through 'em!

tienounUS /taɪ/

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

timekeepernoun

(sports) an official who keeps track of the time elapsed

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading Phil, try our forward pass and on-side kick."

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "There are only five minutes more of play," said Tom, who heard that from the timekeeper.

winverbUS /wɪn/

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading "GIRLS ARE QUEER" "Now, fellows, we can win, or at least tie the score yet," remarked Captain Cross, as his players were sent back to the middle of the field for another kick-off.

Chapter 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck by Lester Chadwick holds 120 sentences, grouped into 24 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 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck contain?

Chapter 14 holds 120 sentences of A Quarter-Back's Pluck, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck by Lester Chadwick exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 120 sentences, grouped into 24 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 14 of A Quarter-Back's Pluck?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 Quarter-Back's Pluck

Common questions about reading A Quarter-Back's Pluck by Lester Chadwick on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Quarter-Back's Pluck?

Yes. All 5104 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #40668 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Quarter-Back's Pluck is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #40668, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Quarter-Back's Pluck take to read?

About 425 minutes of reading across 1021 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Quarter-Back's Pluck section by section

How to work through A Quarter-Back's Pluck section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of A Quarter-Back's Pluck 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 Quarter-Back's Pluck

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Quarter-Back's Pluck, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Quarter-Back's Pluck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rival
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Quarter-Back's Pluck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pitchers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Quarter-Back's Pluck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Quarter-Back's Pluck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.