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Project Daedalus
Project Daedalus

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Project Daedalus is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Project Daedalus
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.
He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.
In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.
The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.
But, all right, humor the Soviet team.
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 Daedalus

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Project Daedalus is here in full — 409 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.
Line 2
He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.
/hiː ˈɡrʌntɪd ənd taɪpt ɪn æn ækˈnɑːlɪdʒmənt/
Line 3
In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.
/ɪn hɪz vjuː ɪt wɑːz ə weɪst ʌv taɪm ˈoʊvərkɪl/
Line 4
The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.
Line 5
But, all right, humor the Soviet team.
/bʌt ɔːl raɪt ˈhjuːmər ðə ˈsoʊviət tiːm/

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.

advising verb US /ædˈvaɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “advise” — give advice to

From this reading “He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.”

computer noun US /kəmˈpjuːtər/

a machine for performing calculations automatically

From this reading “He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.”

overkill noun US /ˈoʊvərkɪl/

the capability to obliterate a target with more weapons (especially nuclear weapons) than are required

From this reading “In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.”

scheduled adjective US /ˈskedʒʊld/

planned or scheduled for some certain time or times

From this reading “He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.”

simulation noun US /ˌsɪmjəˈleɪʃən/

the act of imitating the behavior of some situation or some process by means of something suitably analogous (especially for the purpose of study or personnel training)

From this reading “The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.”

Soviet adjective US /ˈsoʊviət/

of or relating to or characteristic of the former Soviet Union or its people

From this reading “But, all right, humor the Soviet team.”

terminal noun US /ˈtɜːrmənəl/

station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods

From this reading “He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.”

typed verb US /taɪpt/

past form of “type” — write by means of a keyboard with types

From this reading “He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.”

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.

just completed adverb + adjective

In this reading “He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.”

already taken adverb + adjective

In this reading “The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

0800

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

10

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

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

acknowledgmentnounUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒmənt/

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.

advisingverbUS /ædˈvaɪzɪŋ/

-ing form of “advise” — give advice to

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

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 But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

computernounUS /kəmˈpjuːtər/

a machine for performing calculations automatically

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/

a short vivid experience

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

gruntedverbUS /ˈɡrʌntɪd/

past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise

From this reading He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

hypersonic

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/

most important element

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/

possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/

being perceived or observed

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

NumbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

overkillnounUS /ˈoʊvərkɪl/

the capability to obliterate a target with more weapons (especially nuclear weapons) than are required

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

snounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

scheduledadjectiveUS /ˈskedʒʊld/

planned or scheduled for some certain time or times

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

simulationnounUS /ˌsɪmjəˈleɪʃən/

the act of imitating the behavior of some situation or some process by means of something suitably analogous (especially for the purpose of study or personnel training)

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

SovietadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊviət/

of or relating to or characteristic of the former Soviet Union or its people

From this reading But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

SX

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

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

teamnounUS /tiːm/

a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

From this reading But, all right, humor the Soviet team.

terminalnounUS /ˈtɜːrmənəl/

station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

testnounUS /test/

trying something to find out about it

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The SX-10's simulation had already taken them further than they needed to go.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

typedverbUS /taɪpt/

past form of “type” — write by means of a keyboard with types

From this reading He grunted and typed in an acknowledgment.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

wastenounUS /weɪst/

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading In his view it was a waste of time, overkill.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He had just completed the last call when he noticed a flashing alert on the main computer terminal, advising him that the morning's hypersonic test in Number One was scheduled to begin at 0800 hours.

Chapter 7 of Project Daedalus by Thomas Hoover holds 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 7 of Project Daedalus contain?

Chapter 7 holds 409 sentences of Project Daedalus, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Project Daedalus by Thomas Hoover exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 409 sentences, grouped into 82 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 7 of Project Daedalus?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 82 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Daedalus

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

Is this the complete text of Project Daedalus?

Yes. All 12245 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #34320 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Project Daedalus is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #34320, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Project Daedalus take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2449 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Project Daedalus section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Project Daedalus 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 Daedalus

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

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