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Active Service

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of Active Service is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Stephen Crane • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Active Service

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter V Reading 1/21

Active Service

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of Active Service is here in full — 109 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

Line 2

The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

Line 3

The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

Line 4

Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

Line 5

Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

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.

Oil noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

aisles

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

along

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

an

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

and

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

back

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

bide

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

bore

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

brakemen

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

By

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

cars

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

case

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

change

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

cigar

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

circled

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

Coleman

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

compelled

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

doors

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

engine

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

examined

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

fat

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

fate

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

fetched

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

found

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

his

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

Important

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

in

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

into

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

lamps

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

legs

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

like

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

lonely

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

man

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

management

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

mishap

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

New

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

obscure

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

odor

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

of

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

one

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

only

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

From this reading Coleman examined his case and found only one cigar.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

passengers

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

paused

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

pervaded

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

polar

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

proceeded

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

rapidly

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

region

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

side-track

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

smoke

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

sneezed

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

some

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

strange

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

stuffy

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

From this reading The lamps in the cars pervaded a stuffy odor of smoke and oil.

swung

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

the

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

there

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

they

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

to

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

toward

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

train

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

was

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

wheezed

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

From this reading The engine wheezed and sneezed like a paused fat man.

when

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

which

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

wind

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

From this reading Important brakemen proceeded rapidly along the aisles, and when they swung open the doors, a polar wind circled the legs of the passengers.

York

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

From this reading By a strange mishap of management the train which bore Coleman back toward New York was fetched into an obscure side-track of some lonely region and there compelled to bide a change of fate.

Chapter 5 of Active Service by Stephen Crane holds 109 sentences, grouped into 22 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 5 of Active Service contain?

Chapter 5 holds 109 sentences of Active Service, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of Active Service by Stephen Crane exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 109 sentences, grouped into 22 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 5 of Active Service?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Active Service

Common questions about reading Active Service by Stephen Crane on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Active Service?

Yes. All 5592 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2364 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Active Service is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2364, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Active Service take to read?

About 466 minutes of reading across 1119 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Active Service section by section

How to work through Active Service section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 30 chapters of Active Service to begin.
Read one section

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 Active Service

Words and structures a reader meets early in Active Service, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Marjory: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Walked: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pensively: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Along: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.