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Sight Gag
Sight Gag

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Sight Gag is here in full — 301 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sight Gag
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.
But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!
Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sight Gag

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Sight Gag is here in full — 301 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.
Line 2
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Line 3
Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.
Line 4
But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!
Line 5
Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

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.

Analog noun US /ˈænəlɔːɡ/

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading “This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.”

copyright noun US /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

Fredericks noun US /ˈfredrɪks/

plural of “frederick” — a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore

From this reading “Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.”

muscle noun US /ˈmʌsəl/

one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading “Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.”

occupying verb US /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading “Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.”

register verb US /ˈredʒɪstər/

record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions

From this reading “Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.”

research noun US /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

uncover verb US /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

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.

any evidence adjective + noun

In this reading “Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.”

less useful adverb + adjective

In this reading “Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.”

All words in this reading · 63

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.

1014

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

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

1962

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

AnalognounUS /ˈænəlɔːɡ/

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

brainsnounUS /breɪnz/

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

DownstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/

on a floor below

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

etext

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

evolution-by-survival

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

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

ExtensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/

large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

FactnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

FictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

forcenounUS /fɔːrs/

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

FredericksnounUS /ˈfredrɪks/

plural of “frederick” — a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

of great significance or value

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

IntelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

it's

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

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

JonesnounUS /dʒoʊnz/

United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/

one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

physicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɪzɪkəl/

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

publicationnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

registerverbUS /ˈredʒɪstər/

record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

researchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/

systematic investigation to establish facts

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

RoomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

SnounUS /es/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

SciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Downstairs, the hotel register told Fredericks that Mr. John P. Jones was occupying Room 1014.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But it's so easy to forget that muscle--plain physical force--is important, too!

UnounUS /juː/

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

uncoververbUS /ənˈkʌvər/

remove all or part of one's clothes to show one's body

From this reading Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/

being of use or service

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction May 1962.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Intelligence is a great help in the evolution-by-survival--but intelligence without muscle is even less useful than muscle without brains.

Chapter 1 of Sight Gag by Laurence M. Janifer holds 301 sentences, grouped into 61 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 Sight Gag contain?

Chapter 1 holds 301 sentences of Sight Gag, unabridged, divided into 61 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Sight Gag by Laurence M. Janifer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 301 sentences, grouped into 61 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 Sight Gag?

Work through the 61 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 61 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 Sight Gag

Common questions about reading Sight Gag by Laurence M. Janifer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sight Gag?

Yes. All 301 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30288 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sight Gag is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #30288, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sight Gag take to read?

About 25 minutes of reading across 61 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sight Gag section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Sight Gag 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 Sight Gag

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sight Gag, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Etext
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sight Gag; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Produced
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sight Gag; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Analog
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sight Gag; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Science
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sight Gag; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.