Taking Chances

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Taking Chances is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

"’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

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Chapter IV Reading 1/81

Taking Chances

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Taking Chances is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

"’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

Line 2

'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

Line 3

I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

Line 4

Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

Line 5

Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

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.

bets noun US /bets/

plural of “bet” — the money risked on a gamble

From this reading “Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.”

bookies noun US /ˈbʊkiz/

plural of “bookie” — a gambler who accepts and pays off bets (especially on horse races)

From this reading “I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.”

boss noun US /bɑːs/

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading “"’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.”

coin verb US /kɔɪn/

make up

dis noun US /dɪs/

(Roman mythology) god of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Hades

From this reading “"’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.”

kin noun US /kɪn/

a person having kinship with another or others

needs adverb US /niːdz/

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

quit verb US /kwɪt/

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading “'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.”

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.

go on verb + particle

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

In this reading “I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

5,000

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

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

a-gwine

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

all's

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

betsnounUS /bets/

plural of “bet” — the money risked on a gamble

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

bookiesnounUS /ˈbʊkiz/

plural of “bookie” — a gambler who accepts and pays off bets (especially on horse races)

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

bossnounUS /bɑːs/

a person who exercises control over workers

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

coinverbUS /kɔɪn/

make up

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

da-a-way

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

dem

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

DisnounUS /dɪs/

(Roman mythology) god of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Hades

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

dis-a-way

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

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

fonoun

an officer holding the rank of major or lieutenant colonel or colonel

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

Francisco

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

hoss

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

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

I'se

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

it's

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

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

jes

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

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

kinnounUS /kɪn/

a person having kinship with another or others

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

m'sef

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

nachully

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

needsadverbUS /niːdz/

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

ole

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

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

pullin

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

quitverbUS /kwɪt/

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

rubbin

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

San

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

speculashunin

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

staht

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

stan's

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

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

trailin

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

tuh

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

From this reading 'I’se a-gwine tuh quit rubbin’ dem down an’ take tuh speculashunin’ m’sef.

tuh-day

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

w'en

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

WelladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

whut

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

winverbUS /wɪn/

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

wuk

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

From this reading I’se a-gwine tuh staht fo’ San Francisco tuh see whut all I kin do with de bookies out da-a-way, an’ jes’ nachully needs de coin tuh go on out an’ begin wuk on ’em.

yeah's

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

From this reading Dis yeah’s uh good one yo’ all’s pullin’ down tuh-day, an’ I was trailin’ yo’ w’en yo’ all put yo’ bets down.

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

From this reading "’Well, yo’ see, boss, it’s jes’ dis-a-way,’ he replied.

yo'll

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

From this reading Yo’ stan’s tuh win $5,000 on de ole hoss, an’ yo’ll win it.

Chapter 4 of Taking Chances by Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen holds 406 sentences, grouped into 82 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 4 of Taking Chances contain?

Chapter 4 holds 406 sentences of Taking Chances, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Taking Chances by Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 406 sentences, grouped into 82 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 4 of Taking Chances?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 82 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Taking Chances

Common questions about reading Taking Chances by Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Taking Chances?

Yes. All 4035 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37477 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Taking Chances is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37477, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Taking Chances take to read?

About 336 minutes of reading across 807 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Taking Chances section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 10 chapters of Taking Chances to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Taking Chances

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

Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Taking Chances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tales: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Taking Chances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ex-tanks: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Taking Chances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Introductory: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Taking Chances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter IV

What does chapter 4 of Taking Chances contain?

How do I study chapter 4 of Taking Chances?

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading Taking Chances

How to read Taking Chances section by section

Open a chapter

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Vocabulary met early in Taking Chances