Chapter 1 of Automobiles is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Automobiles is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
By J. S. ZERBE, M.E. Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net. Postage extra. This is a subject in which every boy is interested. While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
Chapter 1 of Automobiles is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
third-person singular of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
the charge for mailing something
From this reading “Postage extra.”
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
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.
In this reading “Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.”
in a state of proper readiness or preparation or arrangement
In this reading “While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.”
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
in actual fact
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a youthful male person
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
third-person singular of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading Postage extra.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
for each
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
the charge for mailing something
From this reading Postage extra.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This is a subject in which every boy is interested.
during the time that
From this reading While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.
Chapter 1 of Automobiles by James Slough Zerbe holds 35 sentences, grouped into 7 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.
Chapter 1 holds 35 sentences of Automobiles, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Automobiles by James Slough Zerbe exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 35 sentences, grouped into 7 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.
Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 7 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.
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.
Common questions about reading Automobiles by James Slough Zerbe on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 1823 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #73790 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #73790, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 151 minutes of reading across 365 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Automobiles section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 18 chapters of Automobiles to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Automobiles, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
