Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Black Beauty
Black Beauty

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Black Beauty is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Black Beauty
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.
I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.
He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.
There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.
My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.
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.

Black Beauty

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Black Beauty is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.
Line 2
I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.
Line 3
He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.
Line 4
There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.
Line 5
My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

All words in this reading · 103

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.

a

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

about

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

altogether

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

an

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

and

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

anything

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

are

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

as

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

attend

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

been

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

behind

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

Besides

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

but

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

careless

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

children

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

country

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

course

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

cuts

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

day

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

deal

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

down

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

drive

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

driver

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

drivers

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

easily

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

else

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

even

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

eye

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

fairly

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

feet

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

flopped

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

fore

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

freshly

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

gave

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

going

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

good

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

got

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

great

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

had

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

happened

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

he

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

his

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

horse

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

horses

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

I

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

in

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

it

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

joking

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

keep

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

lady

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

laid

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

laughing

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

left

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

loose

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

many

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

me

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

more

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

My

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

never

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

not

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

of

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

off

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

often

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

on

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

one

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

ones

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

or

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

out

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

parts

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

phaeton

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

reins

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

right

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

road

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

road-mending

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

several

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

smoothest

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

so

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

started

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

stone

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

stones

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

talking

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

than

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

that

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

the

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

their

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

them

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

There

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

these

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

though

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

thought

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

to

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

two

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

unmeaning

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

was

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

we

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

went

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

were

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

where

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

From this reading There had been a good deal of road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down there were a great many loose ones about.

while

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

whip

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

From this reading He flopped the reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, though I was fairly off.

will

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

From this reading Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to anything else more than their horses.

with

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

From this reading I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind.

worth

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

From this reading My driver was laughing and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet.

Chapter 9 of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of Black Beauty contain?

Chapter 9 holds 169 sentences of Black Beauty, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of Black Beauty?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Black Beauty

Common questions about reading Black Beauty by Anna Sewell on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Black Beauty?

Yes. All 2409 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #271 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Black Beauty is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #271, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Black Beauty take to read?

About 200 minutes of reading across 482 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Black Beauty section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 15 chapters of Black Beauty 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 Black Beauty

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

Sewell
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Black Beauty; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
English
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Black Beauty; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Quaker
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Black Beauty; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Black Beauty; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.