Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
My Spanish Year
My Spanish Year

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of My Spanish Year is here in full — 81 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for My Spanish Year
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Fancy bread and sun-worshipPrehistoric sandalsA bower of oleandersAn Andalucian St. JohnFashion and footpathsThe _mauvais pas_—The midday restA mountain stormThunder, lightning, and floodKind-hearted donkey-driversA welcome shelter.
All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.
My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ designa primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.
I asked him where he got the design, and he said, From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”
I have since found that this form of little bread is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.
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.

My Spanish Year

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of My Spanish Year is here in full — 81 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Fancy bread and sun-worshipPrehistoric sandalsA bower of oleandersAn Andalucian St. JohnFashion and footpathsThe _mauvais pas_—The midday restA mountain stormThunder, lightning, and floodKind-hearted donkey-driversA welcome shelter.
Line 2
All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.
Line 3
My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ designa primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.
Line 4
I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”
Line 5
I have since found that this form oflittle breadis peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

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.

allotted adjective US /əˈlɑːtɪd/

given as a task

From this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

bower noun US /ˈbaʊər/

a framework that supports climbing plants

From this reading “Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.”

Greeks noun US /ɡriːks/

plural of “greek” — the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading “I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.”

kilometres noun US /ˌkɪˈlɔːmʌtərz/

plural of “kilometre” — a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles)

From this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

midday noun US /ˈmɪddeɪ/

the middle of the day

From this reading “Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.”

pas noun US /pɑːz/

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

Prehistoric adjective US /ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪk/

belonging to or existing in times before recorded history

From this reading “Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.”

sandals noun US /ˈsændəlz/

plural of “sandal” — a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot

From this reading “Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.”

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.

railway station noun + noun

terminal where trains load or unload passengers or goods

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

de la noun + noun

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

bidding farewell noun + noun

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

parting gift noun + noun

In this reading “My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.”

glass case noun + noun

In this reading “I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.”

allotted time adjective + noun

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

over the mountains preposition + article + noun counted as “over … mountain”

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

kind friends adjective + noun counted as “kind friend”

In this reading “All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.”

All words in this reading · 129

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.

30

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

Algodonales

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

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

allottedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːtɪd/

given as a task

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

Andalucianoun

a region in southern Spain on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; formerly a center of Moorish civilization

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

Andalucian

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

antiguas

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

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

Baetica

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

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/

a framework that supports climbing plants

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

breadnounUS /bred/

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

caracól

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

cosas

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

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

donkey-drivers

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/

a native or inhabitant of Egypt

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

FancynounUS /ˈfænsi/

something many people believe that is false

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

farewellnounUS /ˌferˈwel/

an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

FashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

floodnounUS /flʌd/

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

footpaths

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

Frontera

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

giftnounUS /ɡɪft/

something acquired without compensation

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

glassnounUS /ɡlæs/

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

gloriousadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːriəs/

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

GreeksnounUS /ɡriːks/

plural of “greek” — the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

hostnounUS /hoʊst/

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

kilometresnounUS /ˌkɪˈlɔːmʌtərz/

plural of “kilometre” — a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles)

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

Kind-heartedadjective

having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

lanounUS /lɑː/

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

lightningnounUS /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

mauvais

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/

the middle of the day

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

Morón

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

oleanders

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

partingnounUS /ˈpɑːrtɪŋ/

the act of departing politely

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

pasnounUS /pɑːz/

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

PrehistoricadjectiveUS /ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪk/

belonging to or existing in times before recorded history

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/

prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/

belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

rideverbUS /raɪd/

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

RomansnounUS /ˈroʊmənz/

a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

sandalsnounUS /ˈsændəlz/

plural of “sandal” — a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

sevennounUS /ˈsevən/

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

St

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

sun-symbol

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

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

sun-worshipnoun

the worship of the sun

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

survivals

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

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

Tartessus

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

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

ThunderverbUS /ˈθʌndər/

move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

to-day

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

From this reading I have since found that this form of “little bread” is peculiar to Algodonales, and my parting gift is preserved in a glass case with other interesting survivals of sun-worship in the Tartessus of the Greeks, the Baetica of the Romans, and the Andalucia of to-day.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading All too soon my allotted time came to an end, and I found myself at seven o’clock of a glorious September morning bidding farewell to my kind friends, as I started for a ride of 30 kilometres over the mountains to the railway station at Morón de la Frontera.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/

accept gladly

From this reading Fancy bread and sun-worship—Prehistoric sandals—A bower of oleanders—An Andalucian St. John—Fashion and footpaths—The _mauvais pas_—The midday rest—A mountain storm—Thunder, lightning, and flood—Kind-hearted donkey-drivers—A welcome shelter.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I asked him where he got the design, and he said, “From his father: it was nothing, but as I liked _cosas antiguas_ (old things) it had occurred to him to make it.”

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading My host as a parting gift presented me with some curious bread of his own making, in what is called a _caracól_ design—a primitive sun-symbol of Egyptian origin, had he only known it.

Chapter 9 of My Spanish Year by Ellen M. Whishaw holds 81 sentences, grouped into 17 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 My Spanish Year contain?

Chapter 9 holds 81 sentences of My Spanish Year, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of My Spanish Year by Ellen M. Whishaw exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 81 sentences, grouped into 17 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 My Spanish Year?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 My Spanish Year

Common questions about reading My Spanish Year by Ellen M. Whishaw on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of My Spanish Year?

Yes. All 2382 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59293 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of My Spanish Year is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59293, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does My Spanish Year take to read?

About 198 minutes of reading across 477 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read My Spanish Year section by section

How to work through My Spanish Year section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of My Spanish Year 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 My Spanish Year

Words and structures a reader meets early in My Spanish Year, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Mills
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Spanish Year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Limited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Spanish Year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rupert
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Spanish Year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Street
A word that appears in the opening chapter of My Spanish Year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.