Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Sisters
Sisters

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Sisters
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.
He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.
He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.
He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.
The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.
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.

Sisters

Chapter II

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.
Line 2
He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.
Line 3
He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.
Line 4
He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.
Line 5
The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.”

Mechanically noun US /ˈmechanically/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.”

Wrecked adjective US /rɛkt/

destroyed or damaged by shipwreck

From this reading “Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word is available to listen to. 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 He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

become

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

believed

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

best

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

borne

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

burden

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

constitution

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

disease

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

duties

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

engine

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

feet

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

flavour

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

function

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

gone

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

grief

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

healthy

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

insistency

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

insomnia

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

instead

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

interest

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

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

like

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

longer

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

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

making

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

mechanically

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

months

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

necessary

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

performed

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

pleasure

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

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

poignant

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

proved

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

rigidly

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

sea-seasoned

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

Sincerely

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

splendid

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

stoked

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

From this reading He performed his duties mechanically, rigidly, like an engine stoked from the outside.

suffer

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He no longer had pleasure or interest in them.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The flavour was gone from life; it had become a necessary burden, to be borne as best he could.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He did suffer from insomnia, even with his splendid sea-seasoned constitution, for months, which proved the poignant insistency of his grief, making thinking a disease instead of a healthy function.

wreckedadjectiveUS /rɛkt/

destroyed or damaged by shipwreck

From this reading Sincerely he believed, when he was on his feet again, that his life was wrecked for ever.