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Sister Carrie: A Novel
Sister Carrie: A Novel

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel is here in full — 117 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sister Carrie: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.
It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.
To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.
She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.
Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.
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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.

Sister Carrie: A Novel

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel is here in full — 117 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.
Line 2
It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.
/ɪt wɑːz ɑːn ðə θɜːrd flɔːr ðə frʌnt ˈwɪndoʊz ˈlʊkɪŋ daʊn ˈɪntuː ðə striːt wer æt naɪt ðə laɪts ʌv ˈɡroʊsəri stɔːrz wɜːr ˈʃaɪnɪŋ ənd ˈtʃɪldrən wɜːr ˈpleɪɪŋ/
Line 3
To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.
Line 4
She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.
Line 5
Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

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.

clerks noun US /klɜːrks/

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading “Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.”

greetings noun US /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading “Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.”

grocery noun US /ˈɡroʊsəri/

a marketplace where groceries are sold

From this reading “It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.”

inhabited adjective US /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/

having inhabitants; lived in

From this reading “Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.”

pouring adjective US /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/

flowing profusely

From this reading “Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.”

resident adjective US /ˈrezɪdənt/

living in a particular place

From this reading “Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.”

stores noun US /stɔːrz/

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading “It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.”

tinkled verb US /ˈtɪŋkəld/

past form of “tinkle” — make or emit a high sound

From this reading “To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.”

All words in this reading · 101

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.

50,000

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/

plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

babynounUS /ˈbeɪbi/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

bellsnounUS /belz/

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

Buren

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

Carrie

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

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

familiesnounUS /ˈfæməliz/

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

flatadjectiveUS /flæt/

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

gazedverbUS /ɡeɪzd/

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/

plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

grocerynounUS /ˈɡroʊsəri/

a marketplace where groceries are sold

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

Hanson

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

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

horse-cars

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

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/

having inhabitants; lived in

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

labourers

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/

set afire or burning

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

lightsnounUS /laɪts/

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

Minnie

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

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

Minnie's

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

one-floor

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/

giving pleasure and satisfaction

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/

flowing profusely

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

ratenounUS /reɪt/

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

residentadjectiveUS /ˈrezɪdənt/

living in a particular place

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

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

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

rushverbUS /rʌʃ/

move hurridly

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

storesnounUS /stɔːrz/

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

suppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Mrs. Hanson, after the first greetings were over, gave Carrie the baby and proceeded to get supper.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

tinkledverbUS /ˈtɪŋkəld/

past form of “tinkle” — make or emit a high sound

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading To Carrie, the sound of the little bells upon the horse-cars, as they tinkled in and out of hearing, was as pleasing as it was novel.

VannounUS /væn/

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

vastadjectiveUS /væst/

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

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading It was on the third floor, the front windows looking down into the street, where, at night, the lights of grocery stores were shining and children were playing.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading She gazed into the lighted street when Minnie brought her into the front room, and wondered at the sounds, the movement, the murmur of the vast city which stretched for miles and miles in every direction.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Minnie’s flat, as the one-floor resident apartments were then being called, was in a part of West Van Buren Street inhabited by families of labourers and clerks, men who had come, and were still coming, with the rush of population pouring in at the rate of 50,000 a year.

Chapter 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel by Theodore Dreiser holds 117 sentences, grouped into 24 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 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel contain?

Chapter 2 holds 117 sentences of Sister Carrie: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel by Theodore Dreiser exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 117 sentences, grouped into 24 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 2 of Sister Carrie: A Novel?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Sister Carrie: A Novel

Common questions about reading Sister Carrie: A Novel by Theodore Dreiser on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sister Carrie: A Novel?

Yes. All 12146 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #233 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sister Carrie: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #233, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sister Carrie: A Novel take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2430 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sister Carrie: A Novel section by section

How to work through Sister Carrie: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Sister Carrie: A Novel 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 Sister Carrie: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sister Carrie: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Caroline
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Meeber
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boarded
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sister Carrie: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.