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Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater
Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.
They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.
"Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.
"Let's see what he says."
Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.
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 the Boy Fire-Eater

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.
Line 2
They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.
Line 3
"Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.
/wel ˈiːðər hiː hæz dɪˈskʌvərd ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɔːr hiː hæz sent ðem bæk ənd ˈɡɪvən ʌp mjuːzd ðə jʌŋ məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/
Line 4
"Let's see what he says."
Line 5
Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

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.

circus noun US /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading “THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.”

coupons noun US /ˈkuːpɔːnz/

plural of “coupon” — a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed

From this reading “THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.”

enclosed adjective US /enˈkloʊzd/

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading “THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.”

engraved adjective US /ɪnˈɡreɪvd/

cut or impressed into a surface

From this reading “THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.”

fluttered verb US /ˈflʌtərd/

past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading “They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.”

magician noun US /məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/

A practitioner of magic and ancient arcane arts, often wielding deception and powerful spells.

From this reading “"Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.”

mused verb US /mjuːzd/

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading “"Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.”

typewritten verb US /ˈtaɪprɪtən/

inflected form of “typewrite” — write by means of a keyboard with types

From this reading “THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.”

All words in this reading · 51

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

CATnounUS /kæt/

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

contentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

couponsnounUS /ˈkuːpɔːnz/

plural of “coupon” — a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

engravedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvd/

cut or impressed into a surface

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/

past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

Joe

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

From this reading Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

Joe's

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

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

Let's

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

From this reading "Let's see what he says."

letternounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

magiciannounUS /məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/

A practitioner of magic and ancient arcane arts, often wielding deception and powerful spells.

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

musedverbUS /mjuːzd/

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

PETnounUS /pet/

a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/

with speed

From this reading Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading "Let's see what he says."

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Let's see what he says."

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

sheetnounUS /ʃiːt/

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

tentnounUS /tent/

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Joe quickly took in the contents of the letter.

torenounUS /tɔːr/

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading They fluttered to the floor of Joe's private tent as he tore open the envelope.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

typewrittenverbUS /ˈtaɪprɪtən/

inflected form of “typewrite” — write by means of a keyboard with types

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

Waldon

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

From this reading THE PET CAT The typewritten sheet of the letter from Mr. Waldon enclosed two of the engraved circus coupons.

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 "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Let's see what he says."

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading "Well, either he has discovered something, or he has sent them back and given up," mused the young magician.

Chapter 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater by Vance Barnum holds 90 sentences, grouped into 18 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 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater contain?

Chapter 9 holds 90 sentences of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater by Vance Barnum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 90 sentences, grouped into 18 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 9 of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 the Boy Fire-Eater

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

Is this the complete text of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater?

Yes. All 3160 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #10579 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #10579, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater take to read?

About 263 minutes of reading across 632 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater section by section

How to work through Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater 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 the Boy Fire-Eater

Words and structures a reader meets early in Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Startles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Average
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Circus
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Audience
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Joe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.