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Following the Equator
Following the Equator

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Following the Equator is here in full — 545 sentences across 109 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/109 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
First catch your Boer, then kick him.
Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.
Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.
From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”
It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Following the Equator

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Following the Equator is here in full — 545 sentences across 109 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/109 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
First catch your Boer, then kick him.
/fɜːrst kætʃ jɔːr bɔːr ðen kɪk hɪm/
Line 2
Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.
Line 3
Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.
/ðoʊz ˈlætər deɪz wɜːr deɪz ʌv ˈbɪtər ˈwɜːri ənd ˈtrʌbəl fɔːr ðə hərˈæst rɪˈfɔːrmərz/
Line 4
From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”
Line 5
It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.
/ɪt ˈɔːlsoʊ ˈpʌblɪʃəz ɪts ˌɪnˈtentʃən tuː ədˈhɪr tuː ðə ˌmænəˈfestoʊ/

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.

adhere verb US /ədˈhɪr/

be compatible or in accordance with

From this reading “It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.”

inroad noun US /ˈɪnroʊd/

an encroachment or intrusion

From this reading “From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.””

Johannesburg noun US /ˌdʒoʊˈhænɪsbərɡ/

city in the northeastern part of South Africa near Pretoria; commercial center for diamond and gold industries

From this reading “From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.””

Manifesto noun US /ˌmænəˈfestoʊ/

a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)

From this reading “It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.”

publishes verb US /ˈpʌblɪʃəz/

third-person singular of “publish” — put into print

From this reading “It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.”

Reformers noun US /rɪˈfɔːrmərz/

plural of “reformer” — a disputant who advocates reform

From this reading “Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.”

repudiates verb US /riˈpjuːdieɪts/

third-person singular of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading “From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.””

Wilson's noun US /ˈwɪlsənz/

possessive form of “wilson” — author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)

From this reading “—Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.”

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.

31st

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

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

adhereverbUS /ədˈhɪr/

be compatible or in accordance with

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

BoernounUS /bɔːr/

a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

CalendarnounUS /ˈkæləndər/

a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

From this reading —Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

catchverbUS /kætʃ/

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

CommitteenounUS /kəˈmɪti/

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

Dr

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

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

Hammond

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

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

harassedadjectiveUS /hərˈæst/

troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

inroadnounUS /ˈɪnroʊd/

an encroachment or intrusion

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/

the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

Jameson's

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

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

JohannesburgnounUS /ˌdʒoʊˈhænɪsbərɡ/

city in the northeastern part of South Africa near Pretoria; commercial center for diamond and gold industries

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

kickverbUS /kɪk/

drive or propel with the foot

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

learnverbUS /lɜːrn/

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

ManifestonounUS /ˌmænəˈfestoʊ/

a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading —Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

publishesverbUS /ˈpʌblɪʃəz/

third-person singular of “publish” — put into print

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

Pudd'nhead

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

From this reading —Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

ReformnounUS /rəˈfɔːrm/

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

ReformersnounUS /rɪˈfɔːrmərz/

plural of “reformer” — a disputant who advocates reform

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

repudiatesverbUS /riˈpjuːdieɪts/

third-person singular of “repudiate” — cast off

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It also publishes its intention to adhere to the Manifesto.

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading From Mrs. Hammond we learn that on the 31st (the day after Johannesburg heard of the invasion), “The Reform Committee repudiates Dr. Jameson's inroad.”

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

Wilson'snounUS /ˈwɪlsənz/

possessive form of “wilson” — author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)

From this reading —Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.

worryverbUS /ˈwɜːri/

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading Those latter days were days of bitter worry and trouble for the harassed Reformers.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading First catch your Boer, then kick him.

Chapter 20 of Following the Equator by Mark Twain holds 545 sentences, grouped into 109 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 20 of Following the Equator contain?

Chapter 20 holds 545 sentences of Following the Equator, unabridged, divided into 109 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Following the Equator by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 545 sentences, grouped into 109 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 20 of Following the Equator?

Work through the 109 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 109 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Following the Equator

Common questions about reading Following the Equator by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Following the Equator?

Yes. All 9162 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2895 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Following the Equator is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2895, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Following the Equator take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1833 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Following the Equator section by section

How to work through Following the Equator section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of Following the Equator 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 Following the Equator

Words and structures a reader meets early in Following the Equator, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Absorbing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Following the Equator; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Novelty
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Following the Equator; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kimberley
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Following the Equator; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diamond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Following the Equator; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.