Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Summer
Summer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Summer is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Edith Wharton • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 1 of Summer by Edith Wharton holds 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 1 of Summer contain?

Chapter 1 holds 163 sentences of Summer, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Summer by Edith Wharton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 Summer?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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 Summer

Common questions about reading Summer by Edith Wharton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Summer?

Yes. All 2813 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #166 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Summer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #166, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Summer take to read?

About 234 minutes of reading across 563 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Summer section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of Summer 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 Summer

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

Lawyer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Summer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Royall's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Summer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
House
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Summer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Street
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Summer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Summer
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.
It was the beginning of a June afternoon.
The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.
A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.
The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.
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.

Summer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Summer is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.
Line 2
It was the beginning of a June afternoon.
Line 3
The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.
Line 4
A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.
Line 5
The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.”

Velmora curated lexicon
Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.”

Velmora curated lexicon
All words in this reading · 72

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
across

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
afternoon

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

From this reading It was the beginning of a June afternoon.

Pending verification
among

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
at

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
beginning

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

From this reading It was the beginning of a June afternoon.

Pending verification
came

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
clouds

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
doorstep

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
Dormer

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
down

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
driving

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
end

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
England

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
fields

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
girl

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
grassy

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
high

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
hills

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
house

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
It

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

From this reading It was the beginning of a June afternoon.

Pending verification
June

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

From this reading It was the beginning of a June afternoon.

Pending verification
lacks

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
larchwoods

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
lavish

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
lawyer

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
lies

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
little

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
more

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
moved

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
name

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
New

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
North

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
on

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
one

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Velmora curated lexicon
out

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
passes

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
pastures

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
place

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
protected

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
rain

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
road

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
roofs

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
round

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
Royall's

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
shade

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
shadows

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
shed

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
shoulders

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
silver

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
sky

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
springlike

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Velmora curated lexicon
street

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
sunshine

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
surrounding

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
takes

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
that

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
the

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

From this reading A girl came out of lawyer Royall's house, at the end of the one street of North Dormer, and stood on the doorstep.

Pending verification
their

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
through

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
transparent

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
village

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

From this reading The springlike transparent sky shed a rain of silver sunshine on the roofs of the village, and on the pastures and larchwoods surrounding it.

Pending verification
villages

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

From this reading The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England villages.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading It was the beginning of a June afternoon.

Pending verification
when

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
white

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification
wind

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

From this reading A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulders of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of street when it passes through North Dormer.

Pending verification