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Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck
Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck is here in full — 85 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.
"Randolph has won the race."
Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.
"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."
Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.
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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.

Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck is here in full — 85 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.
Line 2
"Randolph has won the race."
Line 3
Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.
Line 4
"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."
Line 5
Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.
/hiːr sʌm ʌv luːks frendz ˈbraɪtənd ʌp/

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.

brightened verb US /ˈbraɪtənd/

past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading “Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.”

collision noun US /kəˈlɪʒən/

(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together

From this reading “"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."”

evident adjective US /ˈevədənt/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading “"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."”

Harper noun US /ˈhɑːrpər/

someone who plays the harp

From this reading “"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."”

Luke noun US /luːk/

(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading “"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."”

Luke's noun US /luːks/

possessive form of “luke” — (New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading “Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.”

teacher noun US /ˈtiːtʃər/

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading “RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.”

unfortunate adjective US /ənˈfɔːrtʃənət/

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading “"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."”

All words in this reading · 46

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.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

brightenedverbUS /ˈbraɪtənd/

past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

collisionnounUS /kəˈlɪʒən/

(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/

without stop or interruption

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

evidentadjectiveUS /ˈevədənt/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

exultationnoun

a feeling of extreme joy

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

GETSnounUS /ɡets/

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

HarpernounUS /ˈhɑːrpər/

someone who plays the harp

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "Randolph has won the race."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

HereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

Hooper

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

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

Larkin

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

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/

set afire or burning

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

LukenounUS /luːk/

(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

Luke'snounUS /luːks/

possessive form of “luke” — (New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

racenounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading "Randolph has won the race."

RANDOLPH

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

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

Randolph's

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

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

unfortunateadjectiveUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənət/

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

WATCHverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

From this reading RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH "It is true," said the teacher, slowly.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.

wonnounUS /wʌn/

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading "Randolph has won the race."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

Chapter 2 of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck by Horatio, Jr. Alger holds 85 sentences, grouped into 17 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 2 of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck contain?

Chapter 2 holds 85 sentences of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck by Horatio, Jr. Alger exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 85 sentences, grouped into 17 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 Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

Common questions about reading Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck by Horatio, Jr. Alger on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck?

Yes. All 4051 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5417 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5417, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck take to read?

About 337 minutes of reading across 811 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck section by section

How to work through Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck 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 Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

Words and structures a reader meets early in Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Harper
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Noble
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wholly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Disinterested
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.