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Nature's year
Nature's year

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Nature's year is here in full — 442 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Nature's year
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
And now the shad blow blooms.
Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.
Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.
Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.
Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.
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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.

Nature's year

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of Nature's year is here in full — 442 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
And now the shad blow blooms.
/ənd naʊ ðə ʃæd bloʊ bluːmz/
Line 2
Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.
/ˈθaʊzəndz ənd ˈθaʊzəndz ʌv ðiːz ˈlɪtəl triːz ɑːr ˈleɪdən bʌt ˈlaɪtli wɪð ˈleɪsi waɪt ˈflaʊərz ˈlʊkɪŋ laɪk ˈstændɪŋ klaʊdz ɪn ˈoʊ.pən wʊdz ənd ˈvæliz θruːˈaʊt ðə keɪp/
Line 3
Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.
Line 4
Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.
Line 5
Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.
/fɪʃ ˈɪnsekts plænts bɜːrdz ɑːr ɔːl ɪf aɪ kæn pərˈsɑːnəfaɪ ðem soʊ ɪn kloʊs ənd oʊˈbiːdiənt riˈleɪʃənʃɪp tuː ˈneɪtʃər/

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.

blooms noun US /bluːmz/

plural of “bloom” — the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading “And now the shad blow blooms.”

conspicuously adverb US /kənˈspɪkjuːəsli/

in a manner tending to attract attention

From this reading “Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.”

lacy adjective US /ˈleɪsi/

made of or resembling lace

From this reading “Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.”

oaks noun US /oʊks/

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading “Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.”

obedient adjective US /oʊˈbiːdiənt/

dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority

From this reading “Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.”

personify verb US /pərˈsɑːnəfaɪ/

invest with or as with a body; give body to

From this reading “Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.”

relationship noun US /riˈleɪʃənʃɪp/

a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)

From this reading “Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.”

shad noun US /ʃæd/

bony flesh of herring-like fish usually caught during their migration to fresh water for spawning; especially of Atlantic coast

From this reading “And now the shad blow blooms.”

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.

white flowers noun + noun counted as “white flower”

In this reading “Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.”

All words in this reading · 59

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.

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 Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

Anthers

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

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

bloomsnounUS /bluːmz/

plural of “bloom” — the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

blowverbUS /bloʊ/

exhale hard

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

CapenounUS /keɪp/

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/

a flag that shows its nationality

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

conspicuouslyadverbUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəsli/

in a manner tending to attract attention

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

FishnounUS /fɪʃ/

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

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

hangingnounUS /ˈhæŋɪŋ/

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

lacyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪsi/

made of or resembling lace

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/

filled with a great quantity

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

lightlyadverbUS /ˈlaɪtli/

without good reason

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

oaksnounUS /oʊks/

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

obedientadjectiveUS /oʊˈbiːdiənt/

dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

personifyverbUS /pərˈsɑːnəfaɪ/

invest with or as with a body; give body to

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

pinesnounUS /paɪnz/

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

PinknounUS /pɪŋk/

a light shade of red

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading Anthers are hanging conspicuously from the pitch pines.

plantsnounUS /plænts/

plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

relationshipnounUS /riˈleɪʃənʃɪp/

a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

shadnounUS /ʃæd/

bony flesh of herring-like fish usually caught during their migration to fresh water for spawning; especially of Atlantic coast

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

silvery-greenadjective

of something having a color that is a light shiny green

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/

having a supporting base

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And now the shad blow blooms.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Fish, insects, plants, birds are all, if I can personify them so, in close and obedient relationship to nature.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

ThousandsnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndz/

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

woodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Thousands and thousands of these little trees are laden, but lightly, with lacy white flowers, looking like standing clouds in open woods and valleys throughout the Cape.

yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Pink and yellow and silvery-green colors begin to appear on the oaks.

Chapter 6 of Nature's year by John Hay holds 442 sentences, grouped into 89 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 6 of Nature's year contain?

Chapter 6 holds 442 sentences of Nature's year, unabridged, divided into 89 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of Nature's year by John Hay exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 442 sentences, grouped into 89 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 6 of Nature's year?

Work through the 89 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 89 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Nature's year

Common questions about reading Nature's year by John Hay on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Nature's year?

Yes. All 2623 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #76613 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Nature's year is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #76613, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Nature's year take to read?

About 218 minutes of reading across 525 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Nature's year section by section

How to work through Nature's year section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of Nature's 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 Nature's year

Words and structures a reader meets early in Nature's year, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Doubleday
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature's year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Company
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature's year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Garden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature's year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kristi
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature's year; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.