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Confessions of an Opera Singer
Confessions of an Opera Singer

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Kathleen Howard • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Confessions of an Opera Singer
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.
That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.
We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.
Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!
As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.
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.

Confessions of an Opera Singer

Chapter XI

Chapter 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.
Line 2
That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.
/ðæt ɪz pərˈfɔːrmənsəz ɪn ə ˈneɪbərɪŋ ənd stɪl ˈsmɔːlər taʊn əˈbaʊt wʌns ə mʌnθ/
Line 3
We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.
/wiː wʊd ˈtrævəl ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər ˈteɪkɪŋ ˈaʊər kɑːˈstuːmz ənd ˈmeɪkʌp wɪð ʌs ˈprɪnsəpəlz ˈsekənd klæs ənd ˈkɔːrəs θɜːrd/
Line 4
Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!
Line 5
As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

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.

apiece adverb US /əˈpiːs/

to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)

From this reading “Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expended verb US /ɪkˈspendɪd/

past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully

From this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
make-up noun US /ˈmeɪkʌp/

an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event

From this reading “We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
performances noun US /pərˈfɔːrmənsəz/

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading “That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pfennigs noun US /ˈfenɪɡz/

plural of “pfennig” — 100 pfennigs formerly equaled 1 Deutsche Mark in Germany

From this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
principals noun US /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/

plural of “principal” — the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading “We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sausage noun US /ˈsɔːsədʒ/

highly seasoned minced meat stuffed in casings

From this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thrifty adjective US /ˈθrɪfti/

careful and diligent in the use of resources

From this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

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.

second class noun + noun

not the highest rank in a classification

In this reading “We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.”

844 times in 426,211 chapters
black bread adjective + noun

bread made of coarse rye flour

In this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

736 times in 426,211 chapters
in the morning preposition + article + noun counted as “in … morning”

In this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

71,997 times in 426,211 chapters
for food preposition + noun

In this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

5,865 times in 426,211 chapters
at five preposition + noun

In this reading “As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.”

6,775 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 85

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.

1

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

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Pending verification
2

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

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Pending verification
3

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

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Pending verification
50

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

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Abstecher

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

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Pending verification
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/

an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora curated lexicon
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
apieceadverbUS /əˈpiːs/

to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beernounUS /bɪr/

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
breadnounUS /bred/

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/

any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
classnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/

plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DELIGHTSnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/

plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/

beyond normal limits

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expendedverbUS /ɪkˈspendɪd/

past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expensesnounUS /ɪkˈspensəz/

plural of “expense” — amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
farenounUS /fer/

an agenda of things to do

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
foodnounUS /fuːd/

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

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

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

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
make-upnounUS /ˈmeɪkʌp/

an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
managementnounUS /ˈmænədʒmənt/

the act of managing something

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
marksnounUS /mɑːrks/

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
monthnounUS /mʌnθ/

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/

-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora curated lexicon
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
performancesnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmənsəz/

plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pfennigsnounUS /ˈfenɪɡz/

plural of “pfennig” — 100 pfennigs formerly equaled 1 Deutsche Mark in Germany

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
principalsnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/

plural of “principal” — the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
returningadjectiveUS /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sausagenounUS /ˈsɔːsədʒ/

highly seasoned minced meat stuffed in casings

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/

small or little relative to something else

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

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 SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STAGEnounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thriftyadjectiveUS /ˈθrɪfti/

careful and diligent in the use of resources

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading As we left at five P.M. returning at one or two in the morning, this allowance was not excessive for food alone, but the thrifty took black bread and sausage with them, and expended only fifteen pfennigs (3-1/2c) for beer.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading That is, performances in a neighbouring and still smaller town about once a month.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
travelverbUS /ˈtrævəl/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Our fare was paid, and the generous management allowed us two marks apiece (50c) extra for expenses!

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading SOME STAGE DELIGHTS We had also what is known as _Abstecher_, on off nights.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading We would travel altogether, taking our costumes and make-up with us, principals second class and chorus third.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer by Kathleen Howard holds 119 sentences, grouped into 24 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 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer contain?

Chapter 11 holds 119 sentences of Confessions of an Opera Singer, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer by Kathleen Howard exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 119 sentences, grouped into 24 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 11 of Confessions of an Opera Singer?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Confessions of an Opera Singer

Common questions about reading Confessions of an Opera Singer by Kathleen Howard on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Confessions of an Opera Singer?

Yes. All 2568 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32980 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Confessions of an Opera Singer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #32980, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Confessions of an Opera Singer take to read?

About 214 minutes of reading across 514 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Confessions of an Opera Singer section by section

How to work through Confessions of an Opera Singer section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Confessions of an Opera Singer 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 Confessions of an Opera Singer

Words and structures a reader meets early in Confessions of an Opera Singer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fantastic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confessions of an Opera Singer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tales
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confessions of an Opera Singer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Students'
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confessions of an Opera Singer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Abroad
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Confessions of an Opera Singer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.