Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I
English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I is here in full — 17 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I
Context Illustration Reading 1/3 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
3.
Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.
Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).
Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.
4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.
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.

English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I is here in full — 17 sentences across 4 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/3 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
3.
Line 2
Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.
Line 3
Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).
Line 4
Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.
Line 5
4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

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.

alert adjective US /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading “Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).”

anchors noun US /ˈæŋkərz/

plural of “anchor” — a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading “Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).”

ballad noun US /ˈbæləd/

a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading “Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.”

grouped adjective US /ɡruːpt/

arranged into groups

From this reading “Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.”

multiples noun US /ˈmʌltəpəlz/

plural of “multiple” — the product of a quantity by an integer

From this reading “Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.”

referring verb US /rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading “Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).”

represent verb US /ˌreprɪˈzent/

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading “4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.”

text noun US /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading “Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).”

Word partnerships in these lines

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

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

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

In this reading “Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.”

All words in this reading · 48

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.

3

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

From this reading 3.

4

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

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

anchorsnounUS /ˈæŋkərz/

plural of “anchor” — a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

balladnounUS /ˈbæləd/

a narrative song with a recurrent refrain

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/

arranged into groups

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

LnounUS /el/

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

Linenote

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

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

Linenotes

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

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

multiplesnounUS /ˈmʌltəpəlz/

plural of “multiple” — the product of a quantity by an integer

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/

absolutely essential

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

numbersnounUS /ˈnʌmbərz/

the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

re-positioned

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

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

readernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

referringverbUS /rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

regularised

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

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Linenotes have been grouped at the end of each ballad.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Linenote anchors in the form [L##] have been added to the text (they are not in the original but alert the reader to the presence of a note referring to line number ##).

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Ballad line numbers have been regularised to multiples of five and re-positioned or added where necessary.

yogh

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

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

znounUS /ziː/

the ending of a series or sequence

From this reading 4. [z] has been used to represent the yogh character.

Chapter 1 of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I by Francis James [Editor] Child holds 17 sentences, grouped into 4 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 English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I contain?

Chapter 1 holds 17 sentences of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I, unabridged, divided into 4 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I by Francis James [Editor] Child exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 17 sentences, grouped into 4 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 English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I?

Work through the 4 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 4 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 English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I

Common questions about reading English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I by Francis James [Editor] Child on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I?

Yes. All 3317 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37031 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37031, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I take to read?

About 276 minutes of reading across 664 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I section by section

How to work through English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I 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 English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I

Words and structures a reader meets early in English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Linenotes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grouped
A word that appears in the opening chapter of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ballad
A word that appears in the opening chapter of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Linenote
A word that appears in the opening chapter of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.