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Essays on Paul Bourget
Essays on Paul Bourget

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It is my belief that there are some national traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.
One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.
Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.
If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.
A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Essays on Paul Bourget

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It is my belief that there are somenationaltraits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.
/ɪt ɪz maɪ bɪˈliːf ðæt ðer ɑːr sʌm ˈnæʃənəl treɪts ənd θɪŋz ˈskætərd əˈbaʊt ðə wɜːrld ðæt ɑːr mɪr ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz frɔːdz ðæt hæv lɪvd soʊ lɔːŋ ðæt ðeɪ hæv ðə ˈsɑːləd lʊk ʌv fækts/
Line 2
One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.
/wʌn ʌv ðem ɪz ðə ˈdɑːɡmə ðæt ðə frentʃ ɑːr ðə ˈoʊnli tʃeɪst ˈpiːpəl ɪn ðə wɜːrld/
Line 3
Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.
Line 4
If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.
Line 5
A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.
/ə ˈneɪʃən ɔːt ˈɔːlweɪz tuː ɪɡˈzæmɪn ˈɪntuː ðɪs dɪˈteɪl bɪˈfɔːr enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ ðə ˈtiːtʃər fɔːr ɡʊd/

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.

accumulating verb US /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “accumulate” — get or gather together

From this reading “Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.”

cultivate verb US /ˈkʌltəveɪt/

foster the growth of

From this reading “If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.”

dogma noun US /ˈdɑːɡmə/

a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

From this reading “One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.”

frauds noun US /frɔːdz/

plural of “fraud” — intentional deception resulting in injury to another person

From this reading “It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.”

missionaries noun US /ˈmɪʃəneriz/

plural of “missionary” — someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program

From this reading “If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.”

statistics noun US /stəˈtɪstɪks/

a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters

From this reading “Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.”

superstitions noun US /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/

plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading “It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.”

traits noun US /treɪts/

plural of “trait” — a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

From this reading “It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.”

All words in this reading · 105

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 Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

accumulatingverbUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “accumulate” — get or gather together

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

behaveverbUS /bɪˈheɪv/

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

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

beliefnounUS /bɪˈliːf/

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

cannot

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

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

chasteadjectiveUS /tʃeɪst/

morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse)

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

cultivateverbUS /ˈkʌltəveɪt/

foster the growth of

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

dogmanounUS /ˈdɑːɡmə/

a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

doubtsnounUS /daʊts/

plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

engagingadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/

attracting or delighting

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

EveradverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

factsnounUS /fækts/

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

faultnounUS /fɔːlt/

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

FrancenounUS /fræns/

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

fraudsnounUS /frɔːdz/

plural of “fraud” — intentional deception resulting in injury to another person

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

gatherverbUS /ˈɡæðər/

assemble or get together

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

how

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

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

intendverbUS /ˌɪnˈtend/

have in mind as a purpose

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

landnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

livedverbUS /lɪvd/

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

missionariesnounUS /ˈmɪʃəneriz/

plural of “missionary” — someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

nationnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

nationaladjectiveUS /ˈnæʃənəl/

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

plausibilities

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

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

psychologize

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

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

qualifiedadjectiveUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪd/

meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

randomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/

lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

scatteredadjectiveUS /ˈskætərd/

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

statisticsnounUS /stəˈtɪstɪks/

a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

superstitionsnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃənz/

plural of “superstition” — an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

teachverbUS /tiːtʃ/

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading A nation ought always to examine into this detail before engaging the teacher for good.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading One of them is the dogma that the French are the only chaste people in the world.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

traitsnounUS /treɪts/

plural of “trait” — a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Ever since I arrived in France this last time I have been accumulating doubts about that; and before I leave this sunny land again I will gather in a few random statistics and psychologize the plausibilities out of it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading If people are to come over to America and find fault with our girls and our women, and psychologize every little thing they do, and try to teach them how to behave, and how to cultivate themselves up to where one cannot tell them from the French model, I intend to find out whether those missionaries are qualified or not.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It is my belief that there are some “national” traits and things scattered about the world that are mere superstitions, frauds that have lived so long that they have the solid look of facts.

Chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget by Mark Twain holds 175 sentences, grouped into 35 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget contain?

Chapter 2 holds 175 sentences of Essays on Paul Bourget, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 175 sentences, grouped into 35 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Essays on Paul Bourget?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

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

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

Questions about reading Essays on Paul Bourget

Common questions about reading Essays on Paul Bourget by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Essays on Paul Bourget?

Yes. All 556 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3173 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Essays on Paul Bourget is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3173, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Essays on Paul Bourget take to read?

About 46 minutes of reading across 112 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Essays on Paul Bourget section by section

How to work through Essays on Paul Bourget section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Essays on Paul Bourget

Words and structures a reader meets early in Essays on Paul Bourget, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Reports
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Essays on Paul Bourget; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
American
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Essays on Paul Bourget; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Correctly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Essays on Paul Bourget; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Essays on Paul Bourget; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.