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Before Adam
Before Adam

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of Before Adam is here in full — 141 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Before Adam
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.
It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.
I had seen little of her in the intervening time.
Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.
I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.
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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.

Before Adam

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of Before Adam is here in full — 141 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.
Line 2
It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.
Line 3
I had seen little of her in the intervening time.
Line 4
Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.
Line 5
I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.”

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.”

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.

accompanied

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

After

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

and

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

angering

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

at

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

away

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

back

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

before

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

blueberry

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

breakfast

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

by

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

caught

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

cave

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

caves

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

Chatterer

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

curved

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

faces

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

first

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

flight

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

forest

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

from

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

glimpses

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

got

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

had

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

her

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

him

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

horde

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

I

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

in

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

intervening

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

It

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

journeys

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

laugh

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

little

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

Lop-Ear

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

made

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

making

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

mother

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

mouth

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

my

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

of

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

once

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

or

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

our

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

out

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

pleasure

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

seen

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

she

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

space

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

swamp

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

the

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

time

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

From this reading I had seen little of her in the intervening time.

to

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

twice

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

From this reading I had once or twice caught glimpses of the Chatterer in the open space, and had had the pleasure of making faces at him and angering him from the mouth of my cave.

Usually

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

visited

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

was

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

we

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

From this reading After we had had out our laugh, Lop-Ear and I curved back in our flight and got breakfast in the blueberry swamp.

when

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

From this reading Usually, when she visited the horde at the caves, I was away in the forest.

which

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

world

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

years

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

From this reading It was the same swamp to which I had made my first journeys in the world, years before, accompanied by my mother.

Chapter 10 of Before Adam by Jack London holds 141 sentences, grouped into 29 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 10 of Before Adam contain?

Chapter 10 holds 141 sentences of Before Adam, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of Before Adam by Jack London exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 141 sentences, grouped into 29 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 10 of Before Adam?

Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 29 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 Before Adam

Common questions about reading Before Adam by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Before Adam?

Yes. All 2488 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #310 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Before Adam is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #310, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Before Adam take to read?

About 207 minutes of reading across 498 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Before Adam section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of Before Adam 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 Before Adam

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

Pictures
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Before Adam; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Often
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Before Adam; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Learned
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Before Adam; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wonder
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Before Adam; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.