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Man-Trap
Man-Trap

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Man-Trap is here in full — 223 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Man-Trap
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.
But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!
Professor Madigan's greatest invention.
A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.
Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

Man-Trap

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Man-Trap is here in full — 223 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.
/ˈdʒeri vaʊd noʊ ˈwʊmən wʊd ˈevər ɪnˈtaɪs hɪm ˈɪntuː ˈmætrəmoʊni/
Line 2
But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!
Line 3
Professor Madigan's greatest invention.
Line 4
A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.
/ə nuː kaɪnd ʌv ˈmæɡnətɪzəm mɔːr ˈpaʊərfəl ðæn ˈɡrævəti/
Line 5
Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.
/wɜːrks æz ə ˈsʌpləmənt tuː ə ˈnætʃərəl ˈmæɡnətɪzəm/

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.

analyst noun US /ˈænəlɪst/

someone who is skilled at analyzing data

From this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

entice verb US /ɪnˈtaɪs/

provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion

From this reading “Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.”

fade verb US /feɪd/

become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly

From this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

invention noun US /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

magnetism noun US /ˈmæɡnətɪzəm/

attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force

From this reading “A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.”

matrimony noun US /ˈmætrəmoʊni/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading “Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.”

supplement noun US /ˈsʌpləmənt/

textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

From this reading “Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.”

vowed verb US /vaʊd/

past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise

From this reading “Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.”

Word partnerships in these lines

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.

replaced by verb + particle counted as “replace by”

In this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

of course preposition + noun

as might be expected

In this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

fade from verb + particle

In this reading “But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!”

All words in this reading · 52

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 of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

analystnounUS /ˈænəlɪst/

someone who is skilled at analyzing data

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

directlyadverbUS /dərˈektli/

without deviation

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

enticeverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪs/

provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

fadeverbUS /feɪd/

become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading Professor Madigan's greatest invention.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/

offensive term for a person of German descent

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

Kerran

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

ListenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/

hear with intention

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

Madigan's

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

magnetismnounUS /ˈmæɡnətɪzəm/

attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

powerfuladjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərfəl/

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

ProfessornounUS /prəˈfesər/

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

screennounUS /skriːn/

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

supplementnounUS /ˈsʌpləmənt/

textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

From this reading Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A new kind of magnetism more powerful than gravity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

vowedverbUS /vaʊd/

past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But of course, that was before Professor Madigan's invention, the-- Jerry Kerran watched the news analyst fade from the screen to be replaced by a woman who looked directly at him and said, "Listen, girls!

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

WorksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Works as a supplement to a natural magnetism.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Jerry vowed no woman would ever entice him into matrimony.

Chapter 1 of Man-Trap by Hal Annas holds 223 sentences, grouped into 45 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 Man-Trap contain?

Chapter 1 holds 223 sentences of Man-Trap, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Man-Trap by Hal Annas exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 223 sentences, grouped into 45 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 Man-Trap?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 Man-Trap

Common questions about reading Man-Trap by Hal Annas on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Man-Trap?

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

Which edition of Man-Trap is used?

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

How long does Man-Trap take to read?

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

How to read Man-Trap section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of Man-Trap 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 Man-Trap

Words and structures a reader meets early in Man-Trap, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

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