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Biographical Stories
Biographical Stories

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Biographical Stories is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.
Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.
When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.
Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.
As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Biographical Stories

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Biographical Stories is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.
/wen ˈiːvnɪŋ keɪm ˈmɪstər ˈtempəl faʊnd ˈedwərd kənˈsɪdərəbli rɪˈvaɪvd ɪn ˈspɪrɪts ənd dɪˈspoʊzd tuː biː rɪˈzaɪnd tuː hɪz mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
Line 2
Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.
Line 3
When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.
/wen ə mænz aɪz hæv ɡroʊn oʊld wɪð ˈɡeɪzɪŋ æt ðə weɪz ʌv ðə wɜːrld ɪt dʌz nɑːt siːm sʌtʃ ə ˈterəbəl mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən tuː hæv ðem ˈbændədʒd/
Line 4
Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.
Line 5
As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

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.

anticipate verb US /ænˈtɪsəpeɪt/

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading “As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.”

bandaged adjective US /ˈbændədʒd/

covered or wrapped with a bandage

From this reading “When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.”

Edward's noun US /ˈedwərdz/

possessive form of “edward” — King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading “Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.”

hun noun US /hʌn/

a member of a nomadic people who invaded Europe in the 4th century

From this reading “Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.”

motions noun US /ˈmoʊʃənz/

plural of “motion” — the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading “As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.”

patient's noun US /ˈpeɪʃənts/

possessive form of “patient” — a person who requires medical care

From this reading “As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.”

reclining noun US /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/

the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position

From this reading “Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.”

varying adjective US /ˈveriɪŋ/

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading “As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

accomplishedadjectiveUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/

highly skilled

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

anticipateverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪt/

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

bandagedadjectiveUS /ˈbændədʒd/

covered or wrapped with a bandage

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/

to a great extent or degree

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

disposedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspoʊzd/

having made preparations

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

duskinessnoun

the state of being poorly illuminated

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

easy-chair

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

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

EdwardnounUS /ˈedwərd/

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

Edward'snounUS /ˈedwərdz/

possessive form of “edward” — King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

Emily

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

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/

inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

firelightnoun

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

gazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

hunnounUS /hʌn/

a member of a nomadic people who invaded Europe in the 4th century

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

IndeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

LittleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

man'snounUS /mænz/

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

motionsnounUS /ˈmoʊʃənz/

plural of “motion” — the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

patient'snounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/

possessive form of “patient” — a person who requires medical care

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

permitnounUS /pərˈmɪt/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/

the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/

past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

revivedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvd/

restored to consciousness or life or vigor

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/

English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Little Emily Robinson sat by Edward's side with the air of an accomplished nurse.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

TemplenounUS /ˈtempəl/

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

waysnounUS /weɪz/

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

well-stuffed

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

From this reading Indeed, the figure of the boy, as it was dimly seen by the firelight, reclining in a well-stuffed easy-chair, looked so very comfortable that many people might have envied hun.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When evening came, Mr. Temple found Edward considerably revived in spirits and disposed to be resigned to his misfortune.

wishesnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪz/

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading When a man's eyes have grown old with gazing at the ways of the world, it does not seem such a terrible misfortune to have them bandaged.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading As well as the duskiness of the chamber would permit she watched all his motions and each varying expression of his face, and tried to anticipate her patient's wishes before his tongue could utter them.

Chapter 2 of Biographical Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 2 of Biographical Stories contain?

Chapter 2 holds 175 sentences of Biographical Stories, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Biographical Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 Biographical Stories?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 Biographical Stories

Common questions about reading Biographical Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Biographical Stories?

Yes. All 1013 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #9254 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Biographical Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #9254, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Biographical Stories take to read?

About 84 minutes of reading across 203 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Biographical Stories section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Biographical Stories 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 Biographical Stories

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

Edward
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biographical Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Temple
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biographical Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biographical Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Years
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Biographical Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.