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Beyond the Vanishing Point
Beyond the Vanishing Point

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Beyond the Vanishing Point is here in full — 325 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Beyond the Vanishing Point
Context Illustration Reading 1/65 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.
My name is George Randolph.
I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.
It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.
"Hello, George?
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Beyond the Vanishing Point

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Beyond the Vanishing Point is here in full — 325 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/65 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.
Line 2
My name is George Randolph.
Line 3
I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.
/aɪ wɑːz ðæt moʊˈmentəs ˌæftərˈnuːn əˈsɪstənt ˈkemɪst fɔːr ðə ˈeɪdʒæks ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl daɪ ˈkʌmpəniː wɪð meɪn ˈɔːfəsəz ɪn nuː jɔːrk ˈsɪti/
Line 4
It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.
Line 5
"Hello, George?
/həˈloʊ dʒɔːrdʒ/

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.

Ajax noun US /ˈeɪdʒæks/

a mythical Greek hero; a warrior who fought against Troy in the Iliad

From this reading “I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.”

atom noun US /ˈætəm/

(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element

From this reading “It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.”

chemist noun US /ˈkemɪst/

a scientist who specializes in chemistry

From this reading “I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.”

Dye verb US /daɪ/

color with dye

From this reading “I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.”

International adjective US /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading “I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.”

momentous adjective US /moʊˈmentəs/

of very great significance

From this reading “I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.”

Quebec noun US /kwəˈbek/

the French-speaking capital of the province of Quebec; situated on the Saint Lawrence River

From this reading “It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.”

vanishing noun US /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading “It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.”

All words in this reading · 66

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.

1970

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

31

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

AjaxnounUS /ˈeɪdʒæks/

a mythical Greek hero; a warrior who fought against Troy in the Iliad

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

Alan's

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

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

atomnounUS /ˈætəm/

(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

call-sorter

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

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

chemistnounUS /ˈkemɪst/

a scientist who specializes in chemistry

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

CitynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

connectionnounUS /kəˈnekʃən/

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

DyeverbUS /daɪ/

color with dye

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

electric-microscope

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

exchangenounUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading My name is George Randolph.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

HellonounUS /həˈloʊ/

an expression of greeting

From this reading "Hello, George?

highest-powered

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

InternationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading My name is George Randolph.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/

most important element

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/

of very great significance

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My name is George Randolph.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading My name is George Randolph.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

noonnounUS /nuːn/

the middle of the day

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

QuebecnounUS /kwəˈbek/

the French-speaking capital of the province of Quebec; situated on the Saint Lawrence River

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

Randolph

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

From this reading My name is George Randolph.

rangenounUS /reɪndʒ/

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

shortlyadverbUS /ˈʃɔːrtli/

for a short time

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/

very small

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

twelve-twenty

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

From this reading It was twelve-twenty when the local exchange call-sorter announced Alan's connection from Quebec.

vanishingnounUS /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/

a sudden or mysterious disappearance

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It was shortly after noon of December 31, 1970, when the series of weird and startling events began which took me into the tiny world of an atom of gold, beyond the vanishing point, beyond the range of even the highest-powered electric-microscope.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading I was, that momentous afternoon, assistant chemist for the Ajax International Dye Company, with main offices in New York City.

Chapter 1 of Beyond the Vanishing Point by Ray Cummings holds 325 sentences, grouped into 65 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Beyond the Vanishing Point contain?

Chapter 1 holds 325 sentences of Beyond the Vanishing Point, unabridged, divided into 65 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Beyond the Vanishing Point by Ray Cummings exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 325 sentences, grouped into 65 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 Beyond the Vanishing Point?

Work through the 65 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 65 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 Beyond the Vanishing Point

Common questions about reading Beyond the Vanishing Point by Ray Cummings on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Beyond the Vanishing Point?

Yes. All 2928 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22527 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Beyond the Vanishing Point is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22527, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Beyond the Vanishing Point take to read?

About 244 minutes of reading across 586 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Beyond the Vanishing Point section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of Beyond the Vanishing Point 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 Beyond the Vanishing Point

Words and structures a reader meets early in Beyond the Vanishing Point, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Shortly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beyond the Vanishing Point; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
December
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beyond the Vanishing Point; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beyond the Vanishing Point; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Weird
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beyond the Vanishing Point; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.