Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Dick Hamilton's Airship
Dick Hamilton's Airship

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Dick Hamilton's Airship
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.
"Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.
"Am I to do anything?"
"Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.
"Just sit still; that's all."
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.

Dick Hamilton's Airship

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.
Line 2
"Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.
Line 3
"Am I to do anything?"
/æm aɪ tuː duː ˈeniθɪŋ/
Line 4
"Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.
Line 5
"Just sit still; that's all."

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.

biplane noun US /ˈbaɪpleɪn/

old fashioned airplane; has two wings one above the other

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

grim adjective US /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

landing noun US /ˈlændɪŋ/

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

millionaire noun US /ˌmɪljəˈner/

a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

nervous adjective US /ˈnɜːrvəs/

easily agitated

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

occupant noun US /ˈɑːkjəpənt/

someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

provided verb US /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading “A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.”

ruefully adverb US /ˈruːfəli/

in a rueful manner

From this reading “"Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.”

All words in this reading · 51

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 A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "Just sit still; that's all."

Amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Am I to do anything?"

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading "Am I to do anything?"

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading "Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

biplanenounUS /ˈbaɪpleɪn/

old fashioned airplane; has two wings one above the other

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

DicknounUS /dɪk/

someone who is a detective

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Am I to do anything?"

don't

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

Grantly

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Am I to do anything?"

I'll

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

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading "Just sit still; that's all."

LANDINGnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

millionairenounUS /ˌmɪljəˈner/

a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

nervousadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrvəs/

easily agitated

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/

someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

QUEERadjectiveUS /kwɪr/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

ruefullyadverbUS /ˈruːfəli/

in a rueful manner

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

seatnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading "Just sit still; that's all."

smileverbUS /smaɪl/

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

smilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading "Just sit still; that's all."

that's

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

From this reading "Just sit still; that's all."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading "Not a thing," Captain Grantly assured him.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

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 "Well, I'll try my best," answered Dick, smiling ruefully.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A QUEER LANDING "Now don't get nervous," said Captain Grantly to Dick, with a grim smile, as the young millionaire took his seat in the place provided for the third occupant of the biplane.

Chapter 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship by Howard Roger Garis holds 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship contain?

Chapter 7 holds 146 sentences of Dick Hamilton's Airship, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship by Howard Roger Garis exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 7 of Dick Hamilton's Airship?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Dick Hamilton's Airship

Common questions about reading Dick Hamilton's Airship by Howard Roger Garis on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Dick Hamilton's Airship?

Yes. All 4603 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2065 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dick Hamilton's Airship is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2065, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dick Hamilton's Airship take to read?

About 383 minutes of reading across 921 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dick Hamilton's Airship section by section

How to work through Dick Hamilton's Airship section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 33 chapters of Dick Hamilton's Airship 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 Dick Hamilton's Airship

Words and structures a reader meets early in Dick Hamilton's Airship, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fellows
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dick Hamilton's Airship; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Replied
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dick Hamilton's Airship; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hamilton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dick Hamilton's Airship; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Remarks
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dick Hamilton's Airship; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.