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American boys afloat
American boys afloat

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of American boys afloat is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oliver Optic • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for American boys afloat
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.
As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.
The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.
The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.
He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

American boys afloat

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of American boys afloat is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.
Line 2
As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.
/æz suːn æz ðə kəˈmændər wɑːz ˈsætəsfaɪd ɑːn ðɪs pɔɪnt hiː ˈtriːtɪd hɪm wɪð ɡreɪt ˈkaɪndnəs ənd kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃən/
Line 3
The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.
/ðə jʌŋ mæn hæd bɪn ə ˈveri ˈdɪlɪdʒənt ˈstuːdənt ənd ˈhævɪŋ ˈræðər rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl əˈbɪlətiː hiː meɪd ˈræpəd ˈprɑːɡres ɪn hɪz ˈstʌdiz/
Line 4
The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.
Line 5
He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.
/hiː wɑːz ˈnɑːmənəli ə ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər ðoʊ hɪz ˈsɜːrvəsəz wɜːr ˈseldəm riˈkwaɪərd æt ðə wiːl/

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.

assigned adjective US /əˈsaɪnd/

appointed to a post or duty

From this reading “The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
diligent adjective US /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/

quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

From this reading “The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nominally adverb US /ˈnɑːmənəli/

in name only

From this reading “He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
probation noun US /proʊˈbeɪʃən/

a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership

From this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
promenade noun US /ˌprɑːməˈneɪd/

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading “The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quartermaster noun US /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/

an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops

From this reading “He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reformed adjective US /rɪˈfɔːrmd/

of or relating to the body of Protestant Christianity arising during the Reformation; used of some Protestant churches especially Calvinist as distinct from Lutheran

From this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unexpectedly adverb US /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/

in a way that was not expected

From this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

promenade deck noun + noun

a deck at the top of a passenger ship

In this reading “The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.”

352 times in 426,211 chapters
rapid progress adjective + noun

In this reading “The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.”

906 times in 426,211 chapters
formerly occupied adverb + adjective

In this reading “The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.”

309 times in 426,211 chapters
three months noun + noun counted as “three month”

In this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

15,217 times in 426,211 chapters
on board preposition + noun

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

In this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

68,280 times in 426,211 chapters
young man adjective + noun

a teenager or a young adult male

In this reading “The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.”

130,774 times in 426,211 chapters
great kindness adjective + noun

In this reading “As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.”

1,353 times in 426,211 chapters
on probation preposition + noun

In this reading “THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.”

225 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 81

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 young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
assignedadjectiveUS /əˈsaɪnd/

appointed to a post or duty

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
considerationnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃən/

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DANGERSnounUS /ˈdeɪndʒərz/

plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
diligentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/

quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Fencelowe

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Pending verification
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/

at a previous time

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Guardian-Mother

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Pending verification
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nominallyadverbUS /ˈnɑːmənəli/

in name only

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/

held or filled or in use

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
officernounUS /ˈɔːfəsər/

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
others

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Pending verification
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
POSSIBLEadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
probationnounUS /proʊˈbeɪʃən/

a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
promenadenounUS /ˌprɑːməˈneɪd/

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/

established beyond doubt

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quartermasternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/

an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reformedadjectiveUS /rɪˈfɔːrmd/

of or relating to the body of Protestant Christianity arising during the Reformation; used of some Protestant churches especially Calvinist as distinct from Lutheran

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
remarkableadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/

unusual or striking

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
satisfiedadjectiveUS /ˈsætəsfaɪd/

filled with satisfaction

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/

award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/

not often

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
servicesnounUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/

performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stateroomnoun

a guest cabin

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/

plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The stateroom formerly occupied by the third officer, leading off the promenade deck, like those of the first and second officers, had been assigned to him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/

in a way that was not expected

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VOYAGEnounUS /ˈvɔɪədʒ/

an act of traveling by water

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wheelverbUS /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading He was nominally a quartermaster, though his services were seldom required at the wheel.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE VOYAGE Scott Fencelowe, who had been on probation over three months, proved very unexpectedly to the captain and others on board of the Guardian-Mother to be thoroughly reformed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading As soon as the commander was satisfied on this point, he treated him with great kindness and consideration.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The young man had been a very diligent student, and, having rather remarkable ability, he made rapid progress in his studies.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 3 of American boys afloat by Oliver Optic holds 90 sentences, grouped into 18 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 3 of American boys afloat contain?

Chapter 3 holds 90 sentences of American boys afloat, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of American boys afloat by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 90 sentences, grouped into 18 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 3 of American boys afloat?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 American boys afloat

Common questions about reading American boys afloat by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of American boys afloat?

Yes. All 3955 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #75149 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of American boys afloat is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #75149, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does American boys afloat take to read?

About 329 minutes of reading across 791 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read American boys afloat section by section

How to work through American boys afloat section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 38 chapters of American boys afloat 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 American boys afloat

Words and structures a reader meets early in American boys afloat, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American boys afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American boys afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Young
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American boys afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America
A word that appears in the opening chapter of American boys afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.