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Goops and How to Be Them
Goops and How to Be Them

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Goops and How to Be Them is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
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A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.
_INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.
Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!
Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.
When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Goops and How to Be Them

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Goops and How to Be Them is here in full — 124 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.
Line 2
_INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.
/ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən let miː ˌɪntrəˈduːs ə reɪs vɔɪd ʌv ˈbjuːti ənd ʌv ɡreɪs ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri ˈkriːtʃərz wɪð ə ˈpɔːsətiː ʌv ˈfiːtʃərz/
Line 3
Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!
Line 4
Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.
Line 5
When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

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.

Atrocious adjective US /əˈtroʊʃəs/

shockingly brutal or cruel

From this reading “Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!”

Goop noun US /ɡuːp/

any thick, viscous matter

From this reading “When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!”

Impolite adjective US /ˌɪmpəˈlaɪt/

not polite

From this reading “Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.”

Infants noun US /ˈɪnfənts/

plural of “infant” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading “A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.”

Paucity noun US /ˈpɔːsətiː/

an insufficient quantity or number

From this reading “_INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.”

Precept noun US /ˈpriːsept/

rule of personal conduct

From this reading “A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.”

Precocious adjective US /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/

characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

From this reading “Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!”

reprinted verb US /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading “A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.”

Word partnerships in these lines

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

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

upon the Spot preposition + article + noun counted as “upon … spot”

In this reading “When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!”

appeared in verb + particle counted as “appear in”

In this reading “A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

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 A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

AskverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

AtrociousadjectiveUS /əˈtroʊʃəs/

shockingly brutal or cruel

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

BeautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

BooknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

BrightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

CenturynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

ConductverbUS /ˈkɑːndəkt/

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

CreaturesnounUS /ˈkriːtʃərz/

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

DrawingsnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋz/

plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

ExamplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

ExtraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

FeaturesnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

FerociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

FormsnounUS /fɔːrmz/

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

FunnounUS /fʌn/

activities that are enjoyable or amusing

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

GoopnounUS /ɡuːp/

any thick, viscous matter

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

GracenounUS /ɡreɪs/

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

illadjectiveUS /ɪl/

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

ImpoliteadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpəˈlaɪt/

not polite

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

Inculcating

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

InfantsnounUS /ˈɪnfənts/

plural of “infant” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/

cause to come to know personally

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

INTRODUCTIONnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

it's

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

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

JuvenileadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːvənəl/

of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

learnverbUS /lɜːrn/

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

LookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

MannersnounUS /ˈmænərz/

social deportment

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

ManualnounUS /ˈmænjuːəl/

a small handbook

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

NicholasnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/

a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

NinetyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnti/

being ten more than eighty

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

PaucitynounUS /ˈpɔːsətiː/

an insufficient quantity or number

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/

approval to do something

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

PoliteadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

PolitenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/

a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

PreceptnounUS /ˈpriːsept/

rule of personal conduct

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

PrecociousadjectiveUS /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/

characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

PrintedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

RacenounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

reprintedverbUS /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

RhymesnounUS /raɪmz/

plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

RudenessnounUS /ˈruːdnəs/

a manner that is rude and insulting

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

SeeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

SpotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

St

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

TERRIBLEadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

they're

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

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though their Forms are fashioned ill, They have Manners stranger still; For in Rudeness they're Precocious, They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

VirtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/

plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

VoidadjectiveUS /vɔɪd/

lacking any legal or binding force

From this reading _INTRODUCTION_ Let me introduce a Race Void of Beauty and of Grace, Extraordinary Creatures With a Paucity of Features.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example With Ninety Drawings _Printed in the United States of America_ _Of these Rhymes, ten first appeared in_ "St. Nicholas," _and are here reprinted by permission of the_ Century Company.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

you'll

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

From this reading Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.

you've

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

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading When you've finished with the Book, At your Conduct take a Look; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, _Are you Goop, or are you Not?_ For, although it's Fun to See them It is TERRIBLE to Be them!

Chapter 1 of Goops and How to Be Them by Gelett Burgess holds 124 sentences, grouped into 25 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 Goops and How to Be Them contain?

Chapter 1 holds 124 sentences of Goops and How to Be Them, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Goops and How to Be Them by Gelett Burgess exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 124 sentences, grouped into 25 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 Goops and How to Be Them?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 Goops and How to Be Them

Common questions about reading Goops and How to Be Them by Gelett Burgess on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Goops and How to Be Them?

Yes. All 124 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36664 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Goops and How to Be Them is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36664, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Goops and How to Be Them take to read?

About 10 minutes of reading across 25 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Goops and How to Be Them section by section

How to work through Goops and How to Be Them section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Goops and How to Be Them 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 Goops and How to Be Them

Words and structures a reader meets early in Goops and How to Be Them, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Manual
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Goops and How to Be Them; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Manners
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Goops and How to Be Them; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Polite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Goops and How to Be Them; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Infants
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Goops and How to Be Them; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.