A Son of the Middle Border

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of A Son of the Middle Border is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Hamlin Garland • Curated US English Learning Edition

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The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

In vain did the county papers and Farmer's Institute lecturers advise cattle raising and plead for diversified tillage, predicting wealth for those who held on; farmer after farmer joined the march to Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota.

"We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

Narrator

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LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter XX Reading 1/37

A Son of the Middle Border Hamlin Garland

Chapter XX

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of A Son of the Middle Border is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede. Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays. Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going. In vain did the county papers and Farmer's Institute lecturers advise cattle raising and plead for diversified tillage, predicting wealth for those who held on; farmer after farmer joined the march to Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota. "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

A Son of the Middle Border

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of A Son of the Middle Border 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

The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

/ðə lænd ʌv ðə dəˈkoʊtəz ðə ˈmuːvmənt ʌv ˈsetlərz təˈwɔːrd dəˈkoʊtə hæd naʊ bɪˈkʌm æn ˈeksədəs ə stæmˈpiːd/

Line 2

Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

Line 3

Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

/ˈevəri mæn huː kʊd sel aʊt hæd ɡɔːn west ɔːr wɑːz ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

Line 4

/ɪn veɪn dɪd ðə ˈkaʊnti ˈpeɪpərz ənd ˈfɑːrmərz ˈɪnstətuːt ˈlektʃərərz ædˈvaɪz ˈkætəl ˈreɪzɪŋ ənd pliːd fɔːr daɪˈvɜːrsəfaɪd ˈtɪlɑːdʒ prɪˈdɪktɪŋ welθ fɔːr ðoʊz huː held ɑːn ˈfɑːrmər ˈæftər ˈfɑːrmər dʒɔɪnd ðə mɑːrtʃ tuː ˈkænzəs nəˈbræskə ənd dəˈkoʊtə/

Line 5

"We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

/wiː ɑːr wiːt ˈreɪzərz ðeɪ sed ənd wiː ˌɪnˈtend tuː kiːp ɪn ðə wiːt belt/

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.

Dakota noun US /dəˈkoʊtə/

a member of the Siouan people of the northern Mississippi valley; commonly called the Sioux

From this reading “The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.”

Dakotas noun US /dəˈkoʊtəz/

plural of “dakota” — a member of the Siouan people of the northern Mississippi valley; commonly called the Sioux

From this reading “The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.”

exodus noun US /ˈeksədəs/

a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

From this reading “The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.”

lecturers noun US /ˈlektʃərərz/

plural of “lecturer” — a public lecturer at certain universities

From this reading “In vain did the county papers and Farmer's Institute lecturers advise cattle raising and plead for diversified tillage, predicting wealth for those who held on; farmer after farmer joined the march to Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota.”

Nebraska noun US /nəˈbræskə/

a midwestern state on the Great Plains

predicting verb US /prɪˈdɪktɪŋ/

-ing form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance

raisers noun US /ˈreɪzərz/

plural of “raiser” — a bridge partner who increases the partner's bid

From this reading “"We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."”

tillage noun US /ˈtɪlɑːdʒ/

arable land that is worked by plowing and sowing and raising crops

All words in this reading · 79

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 The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

adviseverbUS /ædˈvaɪz/

give advice to

From this reading In vain did the county papers and Farmer's Institute lecturers advise cattle raising and plead for diversified tillage, predicting wealth for those who held on; farmer after farmer joined the march to Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

beltnounUS /belt/

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

BurrnounUS /bɜːr/

seed vessel having hooks or prickles

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

cattlenounUS /ˈkætəl/

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

countynounUS /ˈkaʊnti/

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

DakotanounUS /dəˈkoʊtə/

a member of the Siouan people of the northern Mississippi valley; commonly called the Sioux

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

DakotasnounUS /dəˈkoʊtəz/

plural of “dakota” — a member of the Siouan people of the northern Mississippi valley; commonly called the Sioux

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

diversifiedadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrsəfaɪd/

having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety

else

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

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

exodusnounUS /ˈeksədəs/

a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

farmernounUS /ˈfɑːrmər/

a person who operates a farm

Farmer'snounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/

possessive form of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

HardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/

only a very short time before

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

InstituteverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/

set up or lay the groundwork for

intendverbUS /ˌɪnˈtend/

have in mind as a purpose

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

joinedadjectiveUS /dʒɔɪnd/

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

KansasnounUS /ˈkænzəs/

a state in midwestern United States

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

LandnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

lecturersnounUS /ˈlektʃərərz/

plural of “lecturer” — a public lecturer at certain universities

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

marchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/

march in a procession

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

NebraskanounUS /nəˈbræskə/

a midwestern state on the Great Plains

neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

OaknounUS /oʊk/

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

papersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

pleadverbUS /pliːd/

appeal or request earnestly

predictingverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪŋ/

-ing form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance

raisersnounUS /ˈreɪzərz/

plural of “raiser” — a bridge partner who increases the partner's bid

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

raisingnounUS /ˈreɪzɪŋ/

the event of something being raised upward

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

school-house

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

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

sellverbUS /sel/

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/

plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

stampedeverbUS /stæmˈpiːd/

cause to run in panic

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

SundaysnounUS /ˈsʌndeɪz/

plural of “sunday” — first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

tillagenounUS /ˈtɪlɑːdʒ/

arable land that is worked by plowing and sowing and raising crops

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading The Land of the Dakotas The movement of settlers toward Dakota had now become an exodus, a stampede.

vainadjectiveUS /veɪn/

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hardly anything else was talked about as neighbors met one another on the road or at the Burr Oak school-house on Sundays.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

wealthnounUS /welθ/

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

westnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

wheatnounUS /wiːt/

annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains

From this reading "We are wheat raisers," they said, "and we intend to keep in the wheat belt."

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Every man who could sell out had gone west or was going.

Chapter 20 of A Son of the Middle Border by Hamlin Garland 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 20 of A Son of the Middle Border contain?

Chapter 20 holds 188 sentences of A Son of the Middle Border, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of A Son of the Middle Border by Hamlin Garland 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 20 of A Son of the Middle Border?

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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Son of the Middle Border

Common questions about reading A Son of the Middle Border by Hamlin Garland on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Son of the Middle Border?

Yes. All 6482 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #28791 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Son of the Middle Border is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #28791, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 540 minutes of reading across 1297 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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