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Sonny
Sonny

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Sonny is here in full — 568 sentences across 114 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Sonny
Context Illustration Reading 1/113 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.
That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...
Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.
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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.

Sonny

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Sonny is here in full — 568 sentences across 114 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/113 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.
Line 2
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Line 3
Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.
/ʌv kɔːrs noʊ wʌn ˈæktʃuːəli noʊz ðə ˈpaʊər ʌv ə θɔːt/
Line 4
That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...
Line 5
Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

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 April 1963.”

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.”

Cromwell noun US /ˈkrɑːmwəl/

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

From this reading “Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.”

homesick adjective US /ˈhoʊmsɪk/

longing to return home

From this reading “Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.”

induction noun US /ˌɪnˈdʌkʃən/

a formal entry into an organization or position or office

From this reading “Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.”

megawatts noun US /ˈmeɡəwɑːts/

plural of “megawatt” — a unit of power equal to one million watts

From this reading “That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...”

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.

first time adjective + noun

In this reading “Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.”

Of course preposition + noun

as might be expected

In this reading “Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.”

any evidence adjective + noun

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

produced from verb + particle counted as “produce from”

In this reading “This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.”

All words in this reading · 52

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.

1963

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/

in actual fact

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

AnalognounUS /ˈænəlɔːɡ/

something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

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.

AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

ArmynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

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.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

CromwellnounUS /ˈkrɑːmwəl/

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

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.

etext

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

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

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.

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 April 1963.

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 April 1963.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

homesickadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmsɪk/

longing to return home

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

inductionnounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌkʃən/

a formal entry into an organization or position or office

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...

Jediah

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

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

knowsnounUS /noʊz/

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

megawattsnounUS /ˈmeɡəwɑːts/

plural of “megawatt” — a unit of power equal to one million watts

From this reading That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...

milli

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

From this reading That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

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.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

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.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

PrivateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction April 1963.

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.

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.

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 April 1963.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

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 April 1963.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Of course, no one actually knows the power of a thought.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Private Jediah Cromwell was homesick for the first time since his induction into the Army.

typenounUS /taɪp/

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading That is, the milli--or megawatts type of power ...

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.

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 April 1963.

Chapter 1 of Sonny by Rick Raphael holds 568 sentences, grouped into 114 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 Sonny contain?

Chapter 1 holds 568 sentences of Sonny, unabridged, divided into 114 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Sonny by Rick Raphael exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 568 sentences, grouped into 114 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 Sonny?

Work through the 114 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 114 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 Sonny

Common questions about reading Sonny by Rick Raphael on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sonny?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sonny is used?

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

How long does Sonny take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sonny section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of Sonny 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 Sonny

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

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of Sonny, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of Sonny, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of Sonny, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.