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Earth Alert!
Earth Alert!

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Earth Alert! is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Earth Alert!
Context Illustration Reading 1/7 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
EARTH ALERT!
[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]
When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.
After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.
It came to $20,247.50.
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.

Earth Alert!

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Earth Alert! is here in full — 35 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
EARTH ALERT!
/ɜːrθ əˈlɜːrt/
Line 2
[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]
Line 3
When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.
Line 4
After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.
/ˈæftər dɪˈdʌktɪŋ ˈtæksəz ənd ədˈmɪnəstreɪtɪv ɪkˈspensəz ðə ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə steɪt kɔːrt ˈɔːrdərd ðə ˈmʌni trænˈsfɜːrd tuː hɜːr bæŋk əˈkaʊnt/
Line 5
It came to $20,247.50.

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.

administrative adjective US /ədˈmɪnəstreɪtɪv/

of or relating to or responsible for administration

From this reading “After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.”

deducting verb US /dɪˈdʌktɪŋ/

-ing form of “deduct” — make a subtraction

From this reading “After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.”

defense noun US /dɪˈfens/

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

From this reading “[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]”

invisibility noun US /ˌɪnvɪzəˈbɪləti/

the quality of not being perceivable by the eye

From this reading “[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]”

mutant noun US /ˈmjuːtənt/

(biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration

From this reading “[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]”

taxes noun US /ˈtæksəz/

plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government

From this reading “After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.”

telepathy noun US /təˈlepəθi/

apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions

From this reading “[Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]”

transferred verb US /trænˈsfɜːrd/

inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading “After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.”

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.

bank account noun + noun

a fund that a customer has entrusted to a bank and from which the customer can make withdrawals

In this reading “After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.”

at the end preposition + article + noun counted as “at … end”

In this reading “When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.”

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.

20,247.50

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

From this reading It came to $20,247.50.

22,000

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

administrativeadjectiveUS /ədˈmɪnəstreɪtɪv/

of or relating to or responsible for administration

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

ALERTadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading EARTH ALERT!

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

banknounUS /bæŋk/

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It came to $20,247.50.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

deductingverbUS /dɪˈdʌktɪŋ/

-ing form of “deduct” — make a subtraction

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

defensenounUS /dɪˈfens/

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

EARTHnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading EARTH ALERT!

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

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 After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

invisibilitynounUS /ˌɪnvɪzəˈbɪləti/

the quality of not being perceivable by the eye

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It came to $20,247.50.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

Julia

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

mutantnounUS /ˈmjuːtənt/

(biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/

make less visible or unclear

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

raiseverbUS /reɪz/

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

Sidenote

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

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

StatenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

taxesnounUS /ˈtæksəz/

plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

telepathynounUS /təˈlepəθi/

apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

teleportationnoun

a hypothetical mode of instantaneous transportation; matter is dematerialized at one place and recreated at another

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/

inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California State Court ordered the money transferred to her bank account.

twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/

being four more than twenty

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading [Sidenote: What defense could she raise against mutant science--telepathy, invisibility, teleportation--especially since Earth was not aware of its danger!]

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) was twenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.

Chapter 1 of Earth Alert! by Kris Neville holds 35 sentences, grouped into 7 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 1 of Earth Alert! contain?

Chapter 1 holds 35 sentences of Earth Alert!, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Earth Alert! by Kris Neville exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 35 sentences, grouped into 7 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Earth Alert!?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading Earth Alert!

Common questions about reading Earth Alert! by Kris Neville on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Earth Alert!?

Yes. All 2416 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33642 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Earth Alert! is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33642, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Earth Alert! take to read?

About 201 minutes of reading across 484 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Earth Alert! section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Earth Alert! 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 Earth Alert!

Words and structures a reader meets early in Earth Alert!, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Earth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Earth Alert!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Alert
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Earth Alert!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sidenote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Earth Alert!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Defense
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Earth Alert!; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.