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An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2
An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.
I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.
It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.
The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.
What life is around me!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.
Line 2
I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.
Line 3
It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.
Line 4
The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.
/ðə ˈloʊər ˈstɔːriz ɑːr stɪl diːp ɪn sliːp ˈsaɪ.ləns ənd ˈʃæd.oʊ waɪl hiːr ˈleɪbər laɪt ənd sɔːŋ ɔːlˈredi reɪn/
Line 5
What life is around me!
/wʌt laɪf ɪz ərˈaʊnd miː/

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.

attic noun US /ˈætɪk/

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading “It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.”

butterfly verb US /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/

flutter like a butterfly

From this reading “It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.”

fragrance noun US /ˈfreɪɡrəns/

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading “It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.”

industrious adjective US /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading “It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.”

joyfully adverb US /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading “I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.”

mornings noun US /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading “I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.”

roofs noun US /ruːfs/

plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading “I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.”

ventures noun US /ˈventʃərz/

plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading “It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.”

All words in this reading · 89

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.

7th

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

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading What life is around me!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

breezenounUS /briːz/

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/

flutter like a butterfly

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

cheerfuladjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪrfəl/

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

dawnnounUS /dɔːn/

the first light of day

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

FournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

how

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/

characterized by hard work and perseverance

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/

in a joyous and gleeful manner

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

JunenounUS /dʒuːn/

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What life is around me!

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading What life is around me!

morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

O'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading June 7th, Four O'clock A.M.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

raysnounUS /reɪz/

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

reignverbUS /reɪn/

have sovereign power

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

roofsnounUS /ruːfs/

plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

sendsverbUS /sendz/

third-person singular of “send” — cause to go somewhere

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

sleepnounUS /sliːp/

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

songnounUS /sɔːŋ/

a short musical composition with words

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

songsnounUS /sɔːŋz/

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

topnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

venturesnounUS /ˈventʃərz/

plural of “venture” — any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

wanderingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋ/

migratory

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/

accept gladly

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What life is around me!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The lower stories are still deep in sleep, silence, and shadow, while here labor, light, and song already reign.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading I am not surprised at hearing, when I awake, the birds singing so joyfully outside my window; it is only by living, as they and I do, in a top story, that one comes to know how cheerful the mornings really are up among the roofs.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

woodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

work-woman

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

From this reading It is there that the sun sends his first rays, and the breeze comes with the fragrance of the gardens and woods; there that a wandering butterfly sometimes ventures among the flowers of the attic, and that the songs of the industrious work-woman welcome the dawn of day.

Chapter 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 by Émile Souvestre holds 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 201 sentences of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 by Émile Souvestre exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 1 of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2

Common questions about reading An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 by Émile Souvestre on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2?

Yes. All 737 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3997 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3997, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 take to read?

About 61 minutes of reading across 148 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 section by section

How to work through An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2 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 An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2

Words and structures a reader meets early in An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

O'clock
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Surprised
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hearing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Awake
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Attic Philosopher in Paris — Volume 2; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.