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Healthful Sports for Boys
Healthful Sports for Boys

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys is here in full — 111 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Healthful Sports for Boys
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.
The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.
I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.
That is sheer nonsense!
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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.

Healthful Sports for Boys

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys is here in full — 111 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"
/kæn juː raɪd ə baɪk/
Line 2
SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.
Line 3
The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.
/ðə ˈoʊnli weɪ tuː lɜːrn ðæt ɪz tuː ɡet ə wiːl ənd ɪf ɪt bʌks juː ɔːf maʊnt əˈɡen ənd kiːp ɑːn ˈtraɪɪŋ ənˈtɪl juː ˈmæstər ðə məˈʃiːn/
Line 4
I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.
/aɪ hæv hɜːrd foʊks seɪ ðæt ðə ˈbaɪsɪkəl ɪz ˈɡoʊɪŋ aʊt ʌv ˈfæʃən/
Line 5
That is sheer nonsense!
/ðæt ɪz ʃɪr ˈnɑːnsens/

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.

bicycle noun US /ˈbaɪsɪkəl/

a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading “SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.”

bike noun US /baɪk/

a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame

From this reading “CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"”

bucks noun US /bʌks/

plural of “buck” — a gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated; used lengthwise for vaulting

From this reading “The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.”

folks noun US /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading “I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.”

machine noun US /məˈʃiːn/

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading “The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.”

mount verb US /maʊnt/

attach to a support

From this reading “The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.”

sheer adjective US /ʃɪr/

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading “That is sheer nonsense!”

wheel verb US /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading “SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.”

All words in this reading · 52

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 CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"

ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

bicyclenounUS /ˈbaɪsɪkəl/

a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

BIKEnounUS /baɪk/

a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame

From this reading CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"

bucksnounUS /bʌks/

plural of “buck” — a gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated; used lengthwise for vaulting

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

CANmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"

fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

how

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

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

KNOWINGadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

learnverbUS /lɜːrn/

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

machinenounUS /məˈʃiːn/

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

masternounUS /ˈmæstər/

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

mountverbUS /maʊnt/

attach to a support

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

nonsensenounUS /ˈnɑːnsens/

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading That is sheer nonsense!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

OTHERadjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

RIDEverbUS /raɪd/

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading I have heard folks say that the bicycle is going out of fashion.

sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading That is sheer nonsense!

SOMEadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

SOMETHINGpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

THINGSnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/

hard to endure

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The only way to learn that is to get a wheel, and if it bucks you off, mount again and keep on trying until you master the machine.

WHEELverbUS /wiːl/

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

WORTHnounUS /wɜːrθ/

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading SOME THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THE WHEEL, AND SOMETHING ABOUT OTHER THINGS To begin with, I am not going to tell you how to ride a bicycle.

YOUpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading CAN YOU RIDE A "BIKE?"

Chapter 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys by A. R. (Alfred Rochefort) Calhoun holds 111 sentences, grouped into 23 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys contain?

Chapter 17 holds 111 sentences of Healthful Sports for Boys, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys by A. R. (Alfred Rochefort) Calhoun exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 111 sentences, grouped into 23 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 17 of Healthful Sports for Boys?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Healthful Sports for Boys

Common questions about reading Healthful Sports for Boys by A. R. (Alfred Rochefort) Calhoun on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Healthful Sports for Boys?

Yes. All 1893 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6129 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Healthful Sports for Boys is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6129, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Healthful Sports for Boys take to read?

About 157 minutes of reading across 379 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Healthful Sports for Boys section by section

How to work through Healthful Sports for Boys section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 22 chapters of Healthful Sports for Boys 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 Healthful Sports for Boys

Words and structures a reader meets early in Healthful Sports for Boys, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Clever
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Healthful Sports for Boys; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tricks
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Healthful Sports for Boys; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Vanishing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Healthful Sports for Boys; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Feats
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Healthful Sports for Boys; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.