Second Landing

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Second Landing is here in full — 278 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By F. L. (Floyd L.) Wallace • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

_A gentle fancy for the Christmas Season--an oft-told tale with a wistful twistful of Something that left the Earth with a wing and a prayer._ Earth was so far away that it wasn't visible.

Even the sun was only a twinkle.

But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

Narrator

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.

Chapter I Reading 1/55

Second Landing

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Second Landing is here in full — 278 sentences across 56 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/55 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_A gentle fancy for the Christmas Season--an oft-told tale with a wistful twistful of Something that left the Earth with a wing and a prayer._ Earth was so far away that it wasn't visible.

Line 2

Even the sun was only a twinkle.

/ˈiːvɪn ðə sʌn wɑːz ˈoʊnli ə ˈtwɪŋkəl/

Line 3

But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

/bʌt ðɪs væst ˈdɪstəns dɪd nɑːt miːn ðæt ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən kʊd enˈdjʊr fərˈevər/

Line 4

Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

/ˈɪnstrəmənts wɪˈðɪn ðə ʃɪp ˌɪntərˈseptəd ˈreɪdioʊ ˈbrɔːdkæsts ənd wɪˈðɪn ðə ˈaʊər ˈɜːrli ˈtiːˈviː ˈsɪɡnəlz/

Line 5

Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

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.

broadcasts noun US /ˈbrɔːdkæsts/

plural of “broadcast” — message that is transmitted by radio or television

From this reading “Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.”

compiled verb US /kəmˈpaɪld/

past form of “compile” — get or gather together

From this reading “Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.”

dictionaries noun US /ˈdɪkʃəneriz/

plural of “dictionary” — a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

From this reading “Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.”

intercepted verb US /ˌɪntərˈseptəd/

past form of “intercept” — seize on its way

From this reading “Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.”

isolation noun US /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/

a state of separation between persons or groups

From this reading “But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.”

radio noun US /ˈreɪdioʊ/

medium for communication

From this reading “Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.”

signals noun US /ˈsɪɡnəlz/

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading “Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.”

translating verb US /trænzˈleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language

From this reading “Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.”

All words in this reading · 61

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _A gentle fancy for the Christmas Season--an oft-told tale with a wistful twistful of Something that left the Earth with a wing and a prayer._ Earth was so far away that it wasn't visible.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

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

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

broadcastsnounUS /ˈbrɔːdkæsts/

plural of “broadcast” — message that is transmitted by radio or television

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

compiledverbUS /kəmˈpaɪld/

past form of “compile” — get or gather together

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

dictionariesnounUS /ˈdɪkʃəneriz/

plural of “dictionary” — a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

EarthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

endureverbUS /enˈdjʊr/

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Even the sun was only a twinkle.

fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/

something many people believe that is false

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

foreveradverbUS /fərˈevər/

for a limitless time

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

grammars

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

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

InstrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/

plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

interceptedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈseptəd/

past form of “intercept” — seize on its way

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/

a state of separation between persons or groups

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/

plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

MachinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

oft-told

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

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Even the sun was only a twinkle.

prayernounUS /prer/

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/

medium for communication

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

SeasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

signalsnounUS /ˈsɪɡnəlz/

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Even the sun was only a twinkle.

talenounUS /teɪl/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

translatingverbUS /trænzˈleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language

From this reading Machines compiled dictionaries and grammars and began translating the major languages.

TVnounUS /ˈtiːˈviː/

broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

twinkleverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəl/

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Even the sun was only a twinkle.

twistful

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

vastadjectiveUS /væst/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever.

visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

wasn't

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

wingnounUS /wɪŋ/

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/

showing pensive sadness

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Instruments within the ship intercepted radio broadcasts and, within the hour, early TV signals.

Chapter 1 of Second Landing by F. L. (Floyd L.) Wallace holds 278 sentences, grouped into 56 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 1 of Second Landing contain?

Chapter 1 holds 278 sentences of Second Landing, unabridged, divided into 56 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Second Landing by F. L. (Floyd L.) Wallace exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 278 sentences, grouped into 56 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 Second Landing?

Work through the 56 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 56 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 Second Landing

Common questions about reading Second Landing by F. L. (Floyd L.) Wallace on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Second Landing?

Yes. All 278 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24958 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Second Landing is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24958, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Second Landing take to read?

About 23 minutes of reading across 56 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Second Landing section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 1 chapters of Second Landing to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Second Landing

Words and structures a reader meets early in Second Landing, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Gentle: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Second Landing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fancy: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Second Landing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Christmas: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Second Landing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Season--an: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Second Landing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter I · Chapter 1

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How do I study chapter 1 of Second Landing?

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading Second Landing

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Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in Second Landing