Chapter 1 of Isles of the sea is here in full — 215 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Isles of the sea is here in full — 215 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND. A Story of Travel and Adventure. AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC. BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. PREFACE.
Chapter 1 of Isles of the sea is here in full — 215 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
plural of “dike” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading “ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.”
creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
United States author of surrealistic allegorical plays (born in 1943)
From this reading “BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.”
any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves
From this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.
Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.
In this reading “ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.”
In this reading “AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Story of Travel and Adventure.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading A Story of Travel and Adventure.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Story of Travel and Adventure.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
confined by bonds
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
From this reading BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
a small house with a single story
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
travel across or pass over
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
plural of “dike” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
toward home
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading PREFACE.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
United States author of surrealistic allegorical plays (born in 1943)
From this reading BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A Story of Travel and Adventure.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A Story of Travel and Adventure.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading AUTHOR OF “OUTWARD BOUND,” “SHAMROCK AND THISTLE,” “RED CROSS,” “DIKES AND DITCHES,” “PALACE AND COTTAGE,” “DOWN THE RHINE,” “UP THE BALTIC,” “NORTHERN LANDS,” “CROSS AND CRESCENT,” “SUNNY SHORES,” “VINE AND OLIVE,” ETC.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading ISLES OF THE SEA; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND.
Chapter 1 of Isles of the sea by Oliver Optic holds 215 sentences, grouped into 43 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.
Chapter 1 holds 215 sentences of Isles of the sea, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Isles of the sea by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 215 sentences, grouped into 43 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.
Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 43 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.
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.
Common questions about reading Isles of the sea by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 4955 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #74943 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #74943, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 412 minutes of reading across 991 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Isles of the sea section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 26 chapters of Isles of the sea to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Isles of the sea, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
