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Bobby Blake at Rockledge School
Bobby Blake at Rockledge School

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Frank A. Warner • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Bobby Blake at Rockledge School
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.
As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.
The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:
FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:
_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Bobby Blake at Rockledge School

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.
Line 2
As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.
Line 3
The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:
/ðə ʃiːts ɑːn wɪtʃ ðə saɪnz wɜːr ˈpeɪntɪd stretʃt əˈkrɔːs ðə wɪdθ ʌv ðə tent ənd ðə ˈʌpər laɪn red/
Line 4
FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:
/fɔːr ˈmɑːrvəlz ʌv ðə wɜːrld ˌʌndərˈniːθ ðɪs ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ ˈsteɪtmənt ɪn noʊ les emˈfætɪk ˈletərz əˈpɪrd ðə ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
Line 5
_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

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.

banners noun US /ˈbænərz/

plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading “THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
emphatic adjective US /emˈfætɪk/

spoken with emphasis

From this reading “FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exhibition noun US /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/

the act of exhibiting

From this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
marvels noun US /ˈmɑːrvəlz/

plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder

From this reading “FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mistaking noun US /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/

putting the wrong interpretation on

From this reading “As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Prettiest adjective US /ˈprɪtiəst/

superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Smartest adjective US /ˈsmɑːrtəst/

superlative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
width noun US /wɪdθ/

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading “The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

257,448 times in 426,211 chapters
Prettiest Girl adjective + noun counted as “pretty girl”

In this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

6,829 times in 426,211 chapters
went down verb + adjective counted as “go down”

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

In this reading “THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.”

68,434 times in 426,211 chapters
Smartest Boy adjective + noun counted as “smart boy”

In this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

333 times in 426,211 chapters
in the World preposition + article + noun counted as “in … world”

In this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

107,541 times in 426,211 chapters
Strongest Man adjective + noun counted as “strong man”

In this reading “_ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.”

5,329 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 86

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 _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bannersnounUS /ˈbænərz/

plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BobbynounUS /ˈbɑːbi/

an informal term for a British policeman

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BoynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/

eat an early morning meal

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/

without doubt or question

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
drawverbUS /drɔː/

cause to move by pulling

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
emphaticadjectiveUS /emˈfætɪk/

spoken with emphasis

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EXHIBITIONnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/

the act of exhibiting

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FOURnounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Fred

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Pending verification
frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GirlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Handsomest

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

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

Pending verification
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Hurley

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MARVELSnounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/

plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mistakingnounUS /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/

putting the wrong interpretation on

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/

coated with paint

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PEEP-SHOW

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Pending verification
PrettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/

superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
signsnounUS /saɪnz/

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SmartestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɑːrtəst/

superlative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/

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

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
statementnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənt/

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StrongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tentnounUS /tent/

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
UnderneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/

the topmost one of two

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VeryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE PEEP-SHOW Very early on Saturday morning Bobby and Fred went down to Hurley Street and hung the painted banners upon the front of the show tent.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading The sheets on which the signs were painted stretched across the width of the tent, and the upper line read:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WomannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading _ON EXHIBITION:_ _The Strongest Man in the World_ _The Handsomest Woman in the World_ _The Prettiest Girl in the World_ _The Smartest Boy in the World_ The surprising nature of these signs began to draw a crowd almost at once—even before breakfast.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading As to their beauty, there might have been some question, but Fred had painted the words clearly, and there could be no mistaking their meaning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WORLDnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading FOUR MARVELS OF THE WORLD Underneath this startling statement, in no less emphatic letters, appeared the following:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School by Frank A. Warner holds 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School contain?

Chapter 8 holds 180 sentences of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School by Frank A. Warner exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 8 of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Bobby Blake at Rockledge School

Common questions about reading Bobby Blake at Rockledge School by Frank A. Warner on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School?

Yes. All 3854 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #39799 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #39799, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Bobby Blake at Rockledge School take to read?

About 321 minutes of reading across 771 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Bobby Blake at Rockledge School section by section

How to work through Bobby Blake at Rockledge School section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Bobby Blake at Rockledge School

Words and structures a reader meets early in Bobby Blake at Rockledge School, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bobby
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Blake
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cruise
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bobby Blake at Rockledge School; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.