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Measure for a Loner
Measure for a Loner

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Measure for a Loner is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Measure for a Loner
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.
And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.
How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?
In Megasorrows or Kilofears?
I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.
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.

Measure for a Loner

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Measure for a Loner is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.
Line 2
And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.
Line 3
How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?
Line 4
In Megasorrows or Kilofears?
Line 5
I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.
/aɪ səˈspekt aɪ noʊ kwaɪt ə ˈlaɪbreriː ɑːn ðə səbˈdʒekt bʌt juː noʊ mɔːr əˈbaʊt straɪps ənd bɑːrz/

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.

bars noun US /bɑːrz/

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading “I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.”

gravity noun US /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 “_You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.”

library noun US /ˈlaɪbreriː/

a room where books are kept

From this reading “I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.”

loneliness noun US /ˈloʊnlinəs/

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading “How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?”

measure noun US /ˈmeʒər/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading “_You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.”

reflexes noun US /ˈriːfleksəz/

plural of “reflex” — an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus

From this reading “_You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.”

stripes noun US /straɪps/

V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service

From this reading “I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.”

suspect verb US /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading “I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.”

All words in this reading · 54

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 And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

barsnounUS /bɑːrz/

gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

ForcenounUS /fɔːrs/

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

force-fields

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

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

GeneraladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

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 _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

heatnounUS /hiːt/

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

How

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

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

I've

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

Kilofears

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

From this reading In Megasorrows or Kilofears?

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/

a room where books are kept

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

loneliest

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

Megasorrows

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

From this reading In Megasorrows or Kilofears?

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In Megasorrows or Kilofears?

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

ratenounUS /reɪt/

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

reflexesnounUS /ˈriːfleksəz/

plural of “reflex” — an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

SpacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

star-drives

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

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

stripesnounUS /straɪps/

V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/

required or under orders

From this reading How am I supposed to rate his loneliness for you?

suspectverbUS /səˈspekt/

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading I suspect I know quite a library on the subject, but you know more about stripes and bars.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading And now I know there even is a ..._ So, General, I came in to tell you I've found the loneliest man in the world for the Space Force.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _You can measure everything these days--heat, light, gravity, reflexes, force-fields, star-drives.

Chapter 1 of Measure for a Loner by Jim Harmon holds 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 Measure for a Loner contain?

Chapter 1 holds 449 sentences of Measure for a Loner, unabridged, divided into 90 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Measure for a Loner by Jim Harmon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 Measure for a Loner?

Work through the 90 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 90 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 Measure for a Loner

Common questions about reading Measure for a Loner by Jim Harmon on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Measure for a Loner?

Yes. All 449 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22596 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Measure for a Loner is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22596, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Measure for a Loner take to read?

About 37 minutes of reading across 90 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Measure for a Loner section by section

How to work through Measure for a Loner section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Measure for a Loner 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 Measure for a Loner

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

Measure
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Measure for a Loner; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Everything
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Measure for a Loner; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
These
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Measure for a Loner; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Days--heat
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Measure for a Loner; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.