Chapter 30 of Free Air is here in full — 42 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter XXX
Chapter 30 of Free Air is here in full — 42 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater. Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing. We've become awfully fond of her. But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life. She's rather at loose ends.
Chapter 30 of Free Air is here in full — 42 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a native or resident of Alaska
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
plural of “plotter” — a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
be motionless, in suspension
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
morally excellent
From this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
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.
In this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
In this reading “We've become awfully fond of her.”
work that is left incomplete
In this reading “She's rather at loose ends.”
attire to wear on formal occasions in the evening
In this reading “THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.”
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.
a native or resident of Alaska
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She's rather at loose ends.
used as intensifiers
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
clothing in general
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She's rather at loose ends.
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading She's rather at loose ends.
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
plural of “plotter” — a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
be motionless, in suspension
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
on the contrary
From this reading She's rather at loose ends.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
a special situation
From this reading Mrs. Gilson observed, "She's the dearest thing.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
morally excellent
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We've become awfully fond of her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
during the time that
From this reading THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But I don't think she knows what she wants to do with life.
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 THE VIRTUOUS PLOTTERS Mr. Geoffrey Saxton, in Alaskan tan and New York evening clothes and Piccadilly poise, was talking to the Eugene Gilsons while Claire finished dressing for the theater.
Chapter 30 of Free Air by Sinclair Lewis holds 42 sentences, grouped into 9 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.
Chapter 30 holds 42 sentences of Free Air, unabridged, divided into 9 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 30 of Free Air by Sinclair Lewis exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 42 sentences, grouped into 9 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.
Work through the 9 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 9 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 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.
Common questions about reading Free Air by Sinclair Lewis on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 6146 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #26732 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #26732, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 512 minutes of reading across 1230 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Free Air section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 34 chapters of Free Air to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Free Air, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
