Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Northanger Abbey is here in full — 5 sentences across 1 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Northanger Abbey
Context Illustration Reading 1/1 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.
It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.
That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.
But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.
The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.
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.

Northanger Abbey

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Northanger Abbey is here in full — 5 sentences across 1 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.
Line 2
It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.
Line 3
That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.
Line 4
But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.
Line 5
The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

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.

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.”

All words in this reading · 87

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.

1803

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

a

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

able

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

advertised

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

and

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

any

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

are

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

as

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

author

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

bear

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

been

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

begun

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

bookseller

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

business

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

But

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

changes

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

comparatively

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

concern

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

considerable

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

did

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

disposed

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

during

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

entreated

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

even

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

extraordinary

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

farther

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

finished

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

for

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

has

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

have

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

he

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

immediate

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

in

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

intended

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

is

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

It

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

learn

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

little

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

made

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

manners

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

many

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

more

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

necessary

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

neither

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

never

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

no

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

nor

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

not

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

observation

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

obsolete

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

of

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

opinions

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

other

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

parts

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

passed

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

period

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

places

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

proceeded

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

public

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

publication

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

publish

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

purchase

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

seems

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

should

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

since

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

some

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

than

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

That

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

the

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

think

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

thirteen

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

This

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

those

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

to

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

undergone

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

From this reading The public are entreated to bear in mind that thirteen years have passed since it was finished, many more since it was begun, and that during that period, places, manners, books, and opinions have undergone considerable changes.

upon

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

was

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

what

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

which

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

why

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

From this reading It was disposed of to a bookseller, it was even advertised, and why the business proceeded no farther, the author has never been able to learn.

with

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

work

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

worth-while

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

From this reading That any bookseller should think it worth-while to purchase what he did not think it worth-while to publish seems extraordinary.

year

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

From this reading This little work was finished in the year 1803, and intended for immediate publication.

years

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

From this reading But with this, neither the author nor the public have any other concern than as some observation is necessary upon those parts of the work which thirteen years have made comparatively obsolete.

Chapter 1 of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen holds 5 sentences, grouped into 1 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 Northanger Abbey contain?

Chapter 1 holds 5 sentences of Northanger Abbey, unabridged, divided into 1 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 5 sentences, grouped into 1 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 Northanger Abbey?

Work through the 1 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 1 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 Northanger Abbey

Common questions about reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Northanger Abbey?

Yes. All 3218 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #121 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Northanger Abbey is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #121, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Northanger Abbey take to read?

About 268 minutes of reading across 644 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Northanger Abbey section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of Northanger Abbey 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 Northanger Abbey

Words and structures a reader meets early in Northanger Abbey, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Finished
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Intended
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Immediate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Northanger Abbey; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.