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Project Cyclops
Project Cyclops

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Project Cyclops is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Project Cyclops
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
12:40 A.M.
Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.
The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.
The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.
Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.
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.

Project Cyclops

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Project Cyclops is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
12:40 A.M.
Line 2
Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.
/bɪl beɪts wɑːz stɪl ɪn hɪz ˈɔːfɪs ˈtraɪɪŋ tuː duː sʌm ˈhevi ˈθɪŋkɪŋ ənd pʊt hɪz ˈprɑːbləmz ˈɪntuː səˈkwenʃəl ˈɔːrdər/
Line 3
The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.
/ðə fɜːrst ˈprɑːbləm wɑːz ðæt ðə ˈbæstərdz wɜːr ˈkɪlɪŋ hɪz ˈpiːpəl ˈmoʊstli dʒʌst tuː meɪk æn ɪɡˈzæmpəl ənd ˌɪnˈstɪl ˈterər/
Line 4
The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.
Line 5
Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

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.

bastards noun US /ˈbæstərdz/

plural of “bastard” — insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous

From this reading “The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.”

Bates verb US /beɪts/

third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

From this reading “Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.”

fucker noun US /ˈfʌkər/

a stupid despised man

From this reading “Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.”

glimpses noun US /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/

plural of “glimpse” — a quick look

From this reading “The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.”

instill verb US /ˌɪnˈstɪl/

impart gradually

From this reading “The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.”

killing noun US /ˈkɪlɪŋ/

an event that causes someone to die

From this reading “The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.”

problems noun US /ˈprɑːbləmz/

plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading “Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.”

sequential adjective US /səˈkwenʃəl/

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading “Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.”

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.

occasional glimpses adjective + noun counted as “occasional glimpse”

In this reading “The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.”

come back verb + particle

be restored

In this reading “Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.”

All words in this reading · 69

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.

12

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

From this reading 12:40 A.M.

40

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

From this reading 12:40 A.M.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading 12:40 A.M.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

ApparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/

from appearances alone

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

bastardsnounUS /ˈbæstərdz/

plural of “bastard” — insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

BatesverbUS /beɪts/

third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

BillnounUS /bɪl/

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

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

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

Cally

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

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

ControlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/

power to direct or determine

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

fuckernounUS /ˈfʌkər/

a stupid despised man

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/

plural of “glimpse” — a quick look

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

hadn't

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

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

instillverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪl/

impart gradually

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/

an event that causes someone to die

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading 12:40 A.M.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/

not able to be found

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

NumbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/

occurring from time to time

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/

plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

sequentialadjectiveUS /səˈkwenʃəl/

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

terrornounUS /ˈterər/

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/

hard to endure

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Bill Bates was still in his office, trying to do some heavy thinking and put his problems into sequential order.

wasn't

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

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The first problem was that the bastards were killing his people, mostly just to make an example and instill terror.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The next one he wasn't so sure about, but from what he had seen in his occasional glimpses of Control, Cally was missing.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Apparently she had gone off with the fucker who called himself Number One and hadn't come back.

Chapter 21 of Project Cyclops by Thomas Hoover holds 412 sentences, grouped into 83 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 21 of Project Cyclops contain?

Chapter 21 holds 412 sentences of Project Cyclops, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Project Cyclops by Thomas Hoover exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 412 sentences, grouped into 83 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 21 of Project Cyclops?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Project Cyclops

Common questions about reading Project Cyclops by Thomas Hoover on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Project Cyclops?

Yes. All 12997 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34319 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Project Cyclops is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34319, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Project Cyclops take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2600 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Project Cyclops section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 32 chapters of Project Cyclops 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 Project Cyclops

Words and structures a reader meets early in Project Cyclops, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Licensed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Project Cyclops; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Under
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Project Cyclops; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Creative
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Project Cyclops; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Commons
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Project Cyclops; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.