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Breaking Away
Breaking Away

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Breaking Away is here in full — 89 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Breaking Away
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.
"Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.
For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."
I folded my arms, and was silent again.
I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.
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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.

Breaking Away

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Breaking Away is here in full — 89 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.
Line 2
"Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.
Line 3
For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."
/fɔːr maɪ seɪk æz wel æz fɔːr jɔːr oʊn bɪˈheɪv laɪk men/
Line 4
I folded my arms, and was silent again.
/aɪ ˈfoʊldəd maɪ ɑːrmz ənd wɑːz ˈsaɪlənt əˈɡen/
Line 5
I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

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.

behave verb US /bɪˈheɪv/

behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading “For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."”

exhibition noun US /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/

the act of exhibiting

From this reading “I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.”

expelled verb US /ɪkˈspeld/

inflected form of “expel” — force to leave or move out

From this reading “IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.”

injustice noun US /ˌɪnˈdʒʌstɪs/

an unjust act

From this reading “"Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.”

institute verb US /ˈɪnstətuːt/

set up or lay the groundwork for

From this reading “IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.”

liberal adjective US /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/

showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

From this reading “IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.”

rules noun US /ruːlz/

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading “"Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.”

submit verb US /səbˈmɪt/

refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading “"Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading I folded my arms, and was silent again.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading I folded my arms, and was silent again.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

behaveverbUS /bɪˈheɪv/

behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/

without stop or interruption

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

ERNEST

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/

the act of exhibiting

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

EXPELLEDverbUS /ɪkˈspeld/

inflected form of “expel” — force to leave or move out

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

Fellow-students

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

foldedverbUS /ˈfoʊldəd/

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading I folded my arms, and was silent again.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

injusticenounUS /ˌɪnˈdʒʌstɪs/

an unjust act

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

INSTITUTEverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/

set up or lay the groundwork for

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

LIBERALadjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/

showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

PARKVILLE

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

principalnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/

elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

rowdyismnoun

rowdy behavior

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

rulesnounUS /ruːlz/

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

sakenounUS /seɪk/

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

school-room

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading I folded my arms, and was silent again.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

submitverbUS /səbˈmɪt/

refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

sufferverbUS /ˈsʌfər/

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I felt that it was better to suffer than to resist, and such an exhibition of rowdyism was not to my taste.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

welladverbUS /wel/

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

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST IS EXPELLED FROM THE PARKVILLE LIBERAL INSTITUTE.

willingadjectiveUS /ˈwɪlɪŋ/

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading "Fellow-students," I continued, when the school-room was still enough for me to be heard, "I am willing to submit to the rules of the Institute, and even to the injustice of the principal.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading For my sake, as well as for your own, behave like men."

Chapter 2 of Breaking Away by Oliver Optic holds 89 sentences, grouped into 18 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Breaking Away contain?

Chapter 2 holds 89 sentences of Breaking Away, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Breaking Away by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 89 sentences, grouped into 18 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Breaking Away?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Breaking Away

Common questions about reading Breaking Away by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Breaking Away?

Yes. All 3294 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22433 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Breaking Away is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22433, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Breaking Away take to read?

About 274 minutes of reading across 659 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Breaking Away section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of Breaking Away 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 Breaking Away

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

Trouble
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Breaking Away; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Parkville
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Breaking Away; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Liberal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Breaking Away; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Institute
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Breaking Away; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.