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Half A Chance
Half A Chance

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Half A Chance is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."
"Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"
"That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.
"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.
But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.
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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.

Half A Chance

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Half A Chance is here in full — 201 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."
Line 2
"Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"
Line 3
"That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.
Line 4
"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.
Line 5
But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

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.

cargo noun US /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading “"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.”

category noun US /ˈkætəɡɔːri/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading “"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.”

decks noun US /deks/

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading “"By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."”

livelier adjective US /ˈlaɪvliər/

comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy

From this reading “But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.”

psychological adjective US /ˌsaɪkəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature

From this reading “But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.”

sharper noun US /ˈʃɑːrpər/

a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

From this reading “"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.”

shifted verb US /ˈʃɪftɪd/

past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading “"That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.”

skittle noun US /ˈskɪtəl/

a bowling pin of the type used in playing ninepins or (in England) skittles

From this reading “"If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/

the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

bentnounUS /bent/

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

categorynounUS /ˈkætəɡɔːri/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

CharlesnounUS /tʃɑːrlz/

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

classnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

decksnounUS /deks/

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

dependsverbUS /dɪˈpendz/

third-person singular of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

edifiedadjective

instructed and encouraged in moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

ferret-like

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

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

footnounUS /fʊt/

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

Gillett

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

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

imagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

ladyshipnoun

a title used to address any peeress except a duchess

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

let's

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

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/

a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

livelieradjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliər/

comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

m'deah

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

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

m'lady

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

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

mannersnounUS /ˈmænərz/

social deportment

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/

having official authority or sanction

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/

a judge of a probate court

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

out-and-outernoun

someone who is excellent at something

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

psychologicaladjectiveUS /ˌsaɪkəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

scornnounUS /skɔːrn/

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

sharpernounUS /ˈʃɑːrpər/

a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/

past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

skittlenounUS /ˈskɪtəl/

a bowling pin of the type used in playing ninepins or (in England) skittles

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

suspicionnounUS /səˈspɪʃən/

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at them."

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

thimblerigger

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

From this reading "If in the ordinary category of skittle sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present cargo.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, regarding the real out-and-outer, the excursion should be to your liking.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be edified, Mr. Gillett?"

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be interested in," he added.

Chapter 1 of Half A Chance by Frederic Stewart Isham holds 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 Half A Chance contain?

Chapter 1 holds 201 sentences of Half A Chance, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Half A Chance by Frederic Stewart Isham exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 201 sentences, grouped into 41 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 Half A Chance?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 Half A Chance

Common questions about reading Half A Chance by Frederic Stewart Isham on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Half A Chance?

Yes. All 4101 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #14249 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Half A Chance is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #14249, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Half A Chance take to read?

About 341 minutes of reading across 821 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Half A Chance section by section

How to work through Half A Chance section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of Half A Chance 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 Half A Chance

Words and structures a reader meets early in Half A Chance, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Means
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Half A Chance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
M'deah
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Half A Chance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Let's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Half A Chance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Between
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Half A Chance; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.