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Blix
Blix

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Blix is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of Blix by Frank Norris holds 139 sentences, grouped into 28 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 1 of Blix contain?

Chapter 1 holds 139 sentences of Blix, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Blix by Frank Norris exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 139 sentences, grouped into 28 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 Blix?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 Blix

Common questions about reading Blix by Frank Norris on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Blix?

Yes. All 3369 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #401 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Blix is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #401, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Blix take to read?

About 280 minutes of reading across 674 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Blix section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of Blix 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 Blix

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

Struck
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blix; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cuckoo
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blix; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clock
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blix; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mantelpiece
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blix; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Blix
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.
Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.
As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.
The view was wonderful.
The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.
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.

Blix

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Blix is here in full — 139 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.
Line 2
Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.
Line 3
As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.
Line 4
The view was wonderful.
Line 5
The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

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.

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word is available to listen to. 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 As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

almost

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

and

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

appear

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

As

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

at

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

back

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

bay

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

Bessemer's

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

Bessemers

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

breakfast-bell

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

brought

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

building

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

came

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

clock

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

cuckoo

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

damp

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

dining-room

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

door

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

down

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

end

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

family

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

flat

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

for

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

from

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

front

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

had

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

halved

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

hesitated

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

hill

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

hung

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

in

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

It

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

its

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

just

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

lived

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

looking

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

mantelpiece

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

moment

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

morning's

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

Mr

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

nine

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

of

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

out

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

over

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

paper

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

plate

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

rang

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

roll

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

room

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

second

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

set

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

she

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

still

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

story

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

Street

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

struck

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

summit

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

Sunday

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

that

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

the

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

Then

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

there

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

third

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

time

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

to

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

twisted

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

upon

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

very

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

Victorine

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

view

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

From this reading The view was wonderful.

was

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

From this reading The view was wonderful.

Washington

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

From this reading The Bessemers lived upon the Washington Street hill, almost at its very summit, in a flat in the third story of the building.

watermelon

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

went

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

From this reading Then she went down to the front door for the damp, twisted roll of the Sunday morning's paper, and came back and rang the breakfast-bell for the second time.

when

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

From this reading It had just struck nine from the cuckoo clock that hung over the mantelpiece in the dining-room, when Victorine brought in the halved watermelon and set it in front of Mr. Bessemer's plate.

window

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

From this reading As the family still hesitated to appear, she went to the bay window at the end of the room, and stood there for a moment looking out.

wonderful

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

From this reading The view was wonderful.