Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Four-Day Planet
Four-Day Planet

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Four-Day Planet is here in full — 441 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Four-Day Planet
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
The attribution is not a part of the original book.
SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.
Castaways Working 13.
The Beacon Light 14.
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.

Four-Day Planet

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Four-Day Planet is here in full — 441 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Line 2
The attribution is not a part of the original book.
/ðə ˌætrɪˈbjuːʃən ɪz nɑːt ə pɑːrt ʌv ðə ərˈɪdʒənəl bʊk/
Line 3
SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.
Line 4
Castaways Working 13.
Line 5
The Beacon Light 14.

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.

ace noun US /eɪs/

the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading “SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.”

attribution noun US /ˌætrɪˈbjuːʃən/

assigning some quality or character to a person or thing

From this reading “The attribution is not a part of the original book.”

Castaways noun US /ˈkæstəweɪz/

plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)

From this reading “Castaways Working 13.”

Charter verb US /ˈtʃɑːrtər/

hold under a lease or rental agreement; of goods and services

From this reading “SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.”

copyright noun US /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

Inc noun US /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading “SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.”

research noun US /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

uncover verb US /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

All words in this reading · 55

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.

10010

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

12

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

13

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

From this reading Castaways Working 13.

14

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

From this reading The Beacon Light 14.

360

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

acenounUS /eɪs/

the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

attributionnounUS /ˌætrɪˈbjuːʃən/

assigning some quality or character to a person or thing

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

AvenuenounUS /ˈævənuː/

a line of approach

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

BeaconnounUS /ˈbiːkən/

a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance

From this reading The Beacon Light 14.

Betty

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

CastawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/

plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)

From this reading Castaways Working 13.

CharterverbUS /ˈtʃɑːrtər/

hold under a lease or rental agreement; of goods and services

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

CommunicationsnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz/

the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

COMPANYnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

DivisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

DUNLAP

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

GROSSET

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

IncnounUS /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

LightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The Beacon Light 14.

lovingadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvɪŋ/

feeling or showing love and affection

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

originaladjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/

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

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

ParknounUS /pɑːrk/

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The attribution is not a part of the original book.

publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/

the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

SnounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

SF

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

SouthnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

UnounUS /juː/

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

Vall

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

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

WorkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Castaways Working 13.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading SF ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 For Betty and Vall, with loving remembrance 12.

Chapter 1 of Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper holds 441 sentences, grouped into 89 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 Four-Day Planet contain?

Chapter 1 holds 441 sentences of Four-Day Planet, unabridged, divided into 89 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 441 sentences, grouped into 89 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 Four-Day Planet?

Work through the 89 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 89 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 Four-Day Planet

Common questions about reading Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Four-Day Planet?

Yes. All 3933 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19478 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Four-Day Planet is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #19478, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Four-Day Planet take to read?

About 327 minutes of reading across 787 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Four-Day Planet section by section

How to work through Four-Day Planet section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Four-Day Planet 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 Four-Day Planet

Words and structures a reader meets early in Four-Day Planet, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Extensive
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four-Day Planet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Research
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four-Day Planet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Uncover
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four-Day Planet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evidence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four-Day Planet; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.