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Instinct
Instinct

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Instinct is here in full — 370 sentences across 74 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Instinct
Context Illustration Reading 1/74 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....
IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.
Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: Sorry, but you should know.
Terra is at it again.”
Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.
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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.

Instinct

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Instinct is here in full — 370 sentences across 74 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/74 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....
Line 2
IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.
Line 3
Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.
Line 4
Terra is at it again.”
Line 5
Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.

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.

acting noun US /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading “You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....”

alert adjective US /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading “You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....”

chew verb US /tʃuː/

chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth

From this reading “Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.”

jaw verb US /dʒɔː/

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading “Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.”

limits noun US /ˈlɪməts/

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading “You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....”

persistent adjective US /pərˈsɪstənt/

never-ceasing

From this reading “You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....”

snapped verb US /snæpt/

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading “Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.”

superior adjective US /suːˈpɪriər/

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading “Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.”

All words in this reading · 61

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.

047

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

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

10

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

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

63

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

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

actingnounUS /ˈæktɪŋ/

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Terra is at it again.”

alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Terra is at it again.”

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

Chelan's

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

From this reading Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.

chewverbUS /tʃuː/

chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

headstart

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

Huvane

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

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Terra is at it again.”

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

jawverbUS /dʒɔː/

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/

plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

mouthnounUS /maʊθ/

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/

never-ceasing

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

prepunctuality

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

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

shutverbUS /ʃʌt/

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.

snappedverbUS /snæpt/

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading Chelan’s jaw snapped shut.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

SorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

Terra

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

From this reading Terra is at it again.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start: “Sorry, but you should know.

WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

you've

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

From this reading You can keep a good man down, if you’ve got enough headstart, are alert and persistent ... so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man....

Chapter 1 of Instinct by George O. (George Oliver) Smith holds 370 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 Instinct contain?

Chapter 1 holds 370 sentences of Instinct, unabridged, divided into 74 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Instinct by George O. (George Oliver) Smith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 370 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 Instinct?

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 Instinct

Common questions about reading Instinct by George O. (George Oliver) Smith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Instinct?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Instinct is used?

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

How long does Instinct take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Instinct section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of Instinct 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 Instinct

Words and structures a reader meets early in Instinct, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Instinct, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of Instinct, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of Instinct, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.