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Basil
Basil

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Basil is here in full — 970 sentences across 194 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/194 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I.
AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.
Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.
After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.
During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Basil

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Basil is here in full — 970 sentences across 194 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/194 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I.
/aɪ/
Line 2
AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.
/æn ˈepək ɪn maɪ ˈnærətɪv hæz naʊ ərˈaɪvd/
Line 3
Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.
/ʌp tuː ðə taɪm ʌv maɪ ˈmerɪdʒ aɪ hæv əˈpɪrd æz æn ˈæktɪv ˈeɪdʒənt ɪn ðə ˈdɪfərənt ɪˈvents aɪ hæv dɪˈskraɪbd/
Line 4
After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.
Line 5
During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

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.

apprehension noun US /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading “During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.”

epoch noun US /ˈepək/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading “AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.”

exceptional adjective US /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/

far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

From this reading “After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.”

interval noun US /ˈɪntərvəl/

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading “During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.”

momentary adjective US /ˈmoʊmənteri/

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading “During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.”

passive adjective US /ˈpæsɪv/

lacking in energy or will

From this reading “After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.”

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 “After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.”

temporary adjective US /ˈtempəreri/

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading “During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.”

All words in this reading · 64

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 After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

affectedadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪd/

acted upon; influenced

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

casesnounUS /ˈkeɪsəz/

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

epochnounUS /ˈepək/

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/

far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəd/

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/

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 AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading AN epoch in my narrative has now arrived.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/

lacking in energy or will

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

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 After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

suspicionnounUS /səˈspɪʃən/

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

UpadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Up to the time of my marriage, I have appeared as an active agent in the different events I have described.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading During this interval year, certain events happened, some of which, at the time, excited my curiosity, but none my apprehension--some affected me with a temporary disappointment, but none with even a momentary suspicion.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading After that period, and--with one or two exceptional cases--throughout the whole year of my probation, my position changed with the change in my life, and became a passive one.

Chapter 2 of Basil by Wilkie Collins holds 970 sentences, grouped into 194 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 2 of Basil contain?

Chapter 2 holds 970 sentences of Basil, unabridged, divided into 194 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Basil by Wilkie Collins exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 970 sentences, grouped into 194 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 2 of Basil?

Work through the 194 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 194 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Basil

Common questions about reading Basil by Wilkie Collins on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Basil?

Yes. All 5117 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4605 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Basil is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4605, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Basil take to read?

About 426 minutes of reading across 1024 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Basil section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of Basil 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 Basil

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

Write
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Basil; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
History
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Basil; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Basil; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Events
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Basil; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.