Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
American boys afloat
American boys afloat

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of American boys afloat is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for American boys afloat
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.
Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."
He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.
Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.
His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.
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 VIII

Chapter 8 of American boys afloat is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.
Line 2
Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."
/laɪk hɪz ˈmʌðər hiː wɑːz dɪˈspoʊzd tuː lʌv ðə ˈsɪnər waɪl hiː ˈheɪtəd ðə sɪn/
Line 3
He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.
/hiː hæd dʒʌst pæst θruː æn ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ ɪkˈspɪriəns ənd hiː wɑːz ˈɡreɪtfəl tuː ˈhevən ðæt hiː ənd hɪz frendz hæd kʌm aʊt ʌv ðə ˈkɑːnflɪkt ənˈhɑːrmd/
Line 4
Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.
/stɪl hiː wɑːz nɑːt æt ɔːl ˈsætəsfaɪd wɪð ðə ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
Line 5
His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

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.

condemnation noun US /ˌkɑːndəmˈneɪʃən/

an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable

From this reading “A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.”

conspiracy noun US /kənˈspɪrəsi/

a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act

From this reading “A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.”

constitutional adjective US /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃənəl/

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading “A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.”

lawless adjective US /ˈlɔːləs/

without law or control

From this reading “His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.”

remotest adjective US /rɪˈmoʊtəst/

superlative of “remote” — located far away spatially

From this reading “His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.”

sinner noun US /ˈsɪnər/

a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading “Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."”

smugglers noun US /ˈsmʌɡlərz/

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading “His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.”

unharmed adjective US /ənˈhɑːrmd/

not injured or harmed

From this reading “He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.”

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.

ON BOARD preposition + noun

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

In this reading “A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.”

passed through verb + particle counted as “pass through”

make a passage or journey from one place to another

In this reading “He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.”

come out verb + adjective

appear or become visible; make a showing

In this reading “He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

beatenadjectiveUS /ˈbiːtən/

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

Belgrave

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

BOARDnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

breathingnounUS /ˈbriːðɪŋ/

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

condemnationnounUS /ˌkɑːndəmˈneɪʃən/

an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/

an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

CONSPIRACYnounUS /kənˈspɪrəsi/

a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

constitutionaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃənəl/

of benefit to or intended to benefit your physical makeup

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

dislikenounUS /dɪˈslaɪk/

an inclination to withhold approval from some person or group

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

disposedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspoʊzd/

having made preparations

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

evil-doers

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

gratefuladjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtfəl/

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

lawlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːləs/

without law or control

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

MORALadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

remotestadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊtəst/

superlative of “remote” — located far away spatially

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

reprobates

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

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

SALIHÉ

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

satisfiedadjectiveUS /ˈsætəsfaɪd/

filled with satisfaction

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

sinnounUS /sɪn/

estrangement from god

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

sinnernounUS /ˈsɪnər/

a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

smugglersnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlərz/

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

StilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

unharmedadjectiveUS /ənˈhɑːrmd/

not injured or harmed

From this reading He had just passed through an exciting experience, and he was grateful to Heaven that he and his friends had come out of the conflict unharmed.

utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Like his mother, he was disposed to "love the sinner while he hated the sin."

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His party had been beaten in the conflict with the smugglers, who were lawless reprobates, with whom he could not have the remotest sympathy.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Still he was not at all satisfied with the situation.

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading A MORAL CONSPIRACY ON BOARD THE SALIHÉ Louis Belgrave had a constitutional dislike for evil-doers, for he inherited an utter condemnation of all wrong as a part of his being; and he could no more help this feeling than he could help breathing.

Chapter 8 of American boys afloat by Oliver Optic holds 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 8 of American boys afloat contain?

Chapter 8 holds 100 sentences of American boys afloat, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of American boys afloat by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 8 of American boys afloat?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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.