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Heist Job on Thizar
Heist Job on Thizar

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Heist Job on Thizar is here in full — 366 sentences across 74 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Heist Job on Thizar
Context Illustration Reading 1/73 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.
But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.
He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.
It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.
Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.
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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.

Heist Job on Thizar

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Heist Job on Thizar is here in full — 366 sentences across 74 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/73 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.
/ɪn ðə ˈfjuːtʃər wiː meɪ dɪˈskʌvər nuː ˈplænəts ˈaʊər ʃɪps meɪ ˈrɑːkət tuː nuː wɜːrldz ˈroʊbɑːts meɪ biː ˈsmɑːrtər ðæn ˈpiːpəl/
Line 2
But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.
Line 3
He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.
Line 4
It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.
Line 5
Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

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.

Einstein noun US /ˈaɪnstaɪn/

physicist born in Germany who formulated the special theory of relativity and the general theory of relativity; Einstein also proposed that light consists of discrete quantized bundles of energy (later called photons) (1879-1955)

From this reading “But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.”

influential adjective US /ˌɪnfluːˈenʃəl/

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading “He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.”

planets noun US /ˈplænəts/

plural of “planet” — (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading “_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.”

robots noun US /ˈroʊbɑːts/

plural of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading “_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.”

rocket noun US /ˈrɑːkət/

any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine

From this reading “_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.”

sipping verb US /ˈsɪpɪŋ/

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading “But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.”

slick noun US /slɪk/

a slippery smoothness

From this reading “But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.”

smarter adjective US /ˈsmɑːrtər/

comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading “_In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

Anson

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

Belgezad

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

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/

take the trouble to do something; concern oneself

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/

caused to show discomposure

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

braggartnoun

a very boastful and talkative person

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

buckverbUS /bʌk/

to strive with determination

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

didn't

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

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

discoververbUS /dɪˈskʌvər/

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

displayingverbUS /dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

DrakenounUS /dreɪk/

English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

drinkverbUS /drɪŋk/

take in liquids

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

Earthmannoun

an inhabitant of the earth

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

EinsteinnounUS /ˈaɪnstaɪn/

physicist born in Germany who formulated the special theory of relativity and the general theory of relativity; Einstein also proposed that light consists of discrete quantized bundles of energy (later called photons) (1879-1955)

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

fastadverbUS /fæst/

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

Flamebird

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/

yet to be or coming

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

Gandyll

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

HotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

influentialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnfluːˈenʃəl/

having or exercising influence or power

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

namedverbUS /neɪmd/

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

nativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

orchestranounUS /ˈɔːrkəstrə/

a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

planetnounUS /ˈplænət/

(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

planetsnounUS /ˈplænəts/

plural of “planet” — (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

pompousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːmpəs/

puffed up with vanity

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/

with low volume

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

robotsnounUS /ˈroʊbɑːts/

plural of “robot” — a mechanism that can move automatically

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

rocketnounUS /ˈrɑːkət/

any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

RoomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

sippingverbUS /ˈsɪpɪŋ/

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

slicknounUS /slɪk/

a slippery smoothness

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

smarteradjectiveUS /ˈsmɑːrtər/

comparative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/

affording physical relief

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

strainsnounUS /streɪnz/

plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

Thizar

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

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

Thizarians

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

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

Viron

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

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It didn't particularly bother Drake; life was danger and danger was life to him, and Anson Drake was known on half a hundred planets as a man who could take care of himself.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

we'll

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

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He knew perfectly well that he had no business displaying himself in public on the planet Thizar; there were influential Thizarians who held no love for a certain Earthman named Anson Drake.

willingadjectiveUS /ˈwɪlɪŋ/

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading But we'll still have slick characters willing and able to turn a fast buck--even though they have to be smarter than Einstein to do it._ Anson Drake sat quietly in the Flamebird Room of the Royal Gandyll Hotel, listening to the alien, but soothing strains of the native orchestra and sipping a drink.

worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _In the future, we may discover new planets; our ships may rocket to new worlds; robots may be smarter than people.

wouldn't

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

From this reading Even so, he wouldn't have bothered to come if it had not been for the fact that Viron Belgezad was a pompous braggart.

Chapter 1 of Heist Job on Thizar by Randall Garrett holds 366 sentences, grouped into 74 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 Heist Job on Thizar contain?

Chapter 1 holds 366 sentences of Heist Job on Thizar, unabridged, divided into 74 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Heist Job on Thizar by Randall Garrett exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 366 sentences, grouped into 74 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 Heist Job on Thizar?

Work through the 74 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 74 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 Heist Job on Thizar

Common questions about reading Heist Job on Thizar by Randall Garrett on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Heist Job on Thizar?

Yes. All 366 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #25028 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Heist Job on Thizar is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #25028, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Heist Job on Thizar take to read?

About 30 minutes of reading across 74 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Heist Job on Thizar section by section

How to work through Heist Job on Thizar section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Heist Job on Thizar 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 Heist Job on Thizar

Words and structures a reader meets early in Heist Job on Thizar, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Future
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Heist Job on Thizar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Discover
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Heist Job on Thizar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Planets
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Heist Job on Thizar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ships
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Heist Job on Thizar; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.