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Joe Strong on the Trapeze
Joe Strong on the Trapeze

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Joe Strong on the Trapeze is here in full — 137 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Joe Strong on the Trapeze
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.
WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.
JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_
Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.
Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Joe Strong on the Trapeze

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Joe Strong on the Trapeze is here in full — 137 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.
Line 2
WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.
/ˈwɪtmən ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ koʊ/
Line 3
JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_
Line 4
Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.
Line 5
Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

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.

eater noun US /ˈiːtər/

someone who consumes food for nourishment

From this reading “JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_”

Feats noun US /fiːts/

plural of “feat” — a notable achievement

From this reading “JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_”

Performer noun US /pərˈfɔːrmər/

an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience

publishing noun US /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading “WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.”

Racine noun US /rəˈsiːn/

French advocate of Jansenism; tragedian who based his works on Greek and Roman themes (1639-1699)

From this reading “Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."”

trapeze noun US /trəˈpiːz/

a swing used by circus acrobats

From this reading “JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_”

whitman noun US /ˈwɪtmən/

United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)

From this reading “WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.”

Wisconsin noun US /wɪˈskɑːnsən/

a tributary of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin

From this reading “Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."”

All words in this reading · 50

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 JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

BetteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

BigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

BoynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.

CircusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

COnounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.

DangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

DaringnounUS /ˈderɪŋ/

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

DoingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

EATERnounUS /ˈiːtər/

someone who consumes food for nourishment

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

etc

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

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

ExposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/

with no protection or shield

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

FeatsnounUS /fiːts/

plural of “feat” — a notable achievement

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

FIREverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

FishnounUS /fɪʃ/

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

HighadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

Joe

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

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

LITHOGRAPHING

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

From this reading Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.

MagicnounUS /ˈmædʒɪk/

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

MarvelousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

MostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

MysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

PerformancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/

a dramatic or musical entertainment

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

PerformernounUS /pərˈfɔːrmər/

an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

pigeon-omelet

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

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

PrintedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.

PRINTINGnounUS /ˈprɪntɪŋ/

text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.

PUBLISHINGnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

RacinenounUS /rəˈsiːn/

French advocate of Jansenism; tragedian who based his works on Greek and Roman themes (1639-1699)

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

RecordnounUS /rəˈkɔːrd/

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

StrongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

TanknounUS /tæŋk/

an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

TRAPEZEnounUS /trəˈpiːz/

a swing used by circus acrobats

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

tricknounUS /trɪk/

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

WESTERNadjectiveUS /ˈwestərn/

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Printed by WESTERN PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING CO.

WHITMANnounUS /ˈwɪtmən/

United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)

From this reading WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.

WirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

WisconsinnounUS /wɪˈskɑːnsən/

a tributary of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

WizardnounUS /ˈwɪzərd/

someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field

From this reading Author of "Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard," "Joe Strong, the Boy Fish," "Joe Strong on the High Wire," etc.

YoungadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading JOE STRONG, THE BOY WIZARD _Or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed_ JOE STRONG ON THE TRAPEZE _Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FISH _Or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank_ JOE STRONG, THE BOY FIRE EATER _Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record_

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Racine, Wisconsin "Better put on your pigeon-omelet trick now, Joe."

Chapter 1 of Joe Strong on the Trapeze by Vance Barnum holds 137 sentences, grouped into 28 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 Joe Strong on the Trapeze contain?

Chapter 1 holds 137 sentences of Joe Strong on the Trapeze, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Joe Strong on the Trapeze by Vance Barnum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 137 sentences, grouped into 28 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 Joe Strong on the Trapeze?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 Joe Strong on the Trapeze

Common questions about reading Joe Strong on the Trapeze by Vance Barnum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Joe Strong on the Trapeze?

Yes. All 3577 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #28642 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Joe Strong on the Trapeze is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #28642, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Joe Strong on the Trapeze take to read?

About 298 minutes of reading across 716 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Joe Strong on the Trapeze section by section

How to work through Joe Strong on the Trapeze section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of Joe Strong on the Trapeze 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 Joe Strong on the Trapeze

Words and structures a reader meets early in Joe Strong on the Trapeze, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong on the Trapeze; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Strong
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong on the Trapeze; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wizard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong on the Trapeze; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Whitman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong on the Trapeze; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.