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Taking Chances
Taking Chances

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of Taking Chances is here in full — 388 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Taking Chances
Context Illustration Reading 1/77 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.
"Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.
"The one you’re waitin f’r’ll be bout 1 to 4 on, an this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.
You people know how they stan them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.
Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?
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.

Taking Chances

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of Taking Chances is here in full — 388 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/77 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.
Line 2
"Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.
Line 3
"The one you’re waitinf’r’ll bebout 1 to 4 on, anthis is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.
Line 4
You people know how they stanthem 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.
Line 5
Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

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.

bout noun US /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading “"The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.”

entreaty noun US /enˈtriːti/

earnest or urgent request

From this reading “"Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.”

frayed adjective US /freɪd/

worn away or tattered along the edges

From this reading “The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.”

handkerchief noun US /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading “The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.”

mopped verb US /mɑːpt/

inflected form of “mop” — to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop

From this reading “The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.”

spiel verb US /spiːl/

replay (as a melody)

From this reading “Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?”

sunshine noun US /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading “"The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.”

tout noun US /taʊt/

someone who buys tickets to an event in order to resell them at a profit

From this reading “The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.”

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.

in a tone preposition + article + noun counted as “in … tone”

In this reading “"Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.”

All words in this reading · 59

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.

1

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

100

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

4

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

boutnounUS /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

entreatynounUS /enˈtriːti/

earnest or urgent request

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

f'r

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

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

f'r'll

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

facenounUS /feɪs/

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

fi'muth

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

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

frayedadjectiveUS /freɪd/

worn away or tattered along the edges

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

handkerchiefnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

headsnounUS /hedz/

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

how

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

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

Latonia

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

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

moppedverbUS /mɑːpt/

inflected form of “mop” — to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

polka-dotted

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

red-haired

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

SayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

Sey

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

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

spielverbUS /spiːl/

replay (as a melody)

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

spotnounUS /spɑːt/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

stan

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

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading You people know how they stan’ them 1 to 4 things on their heads out in Latonia.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

toutnounUS /taʊt/

someone who buys tickets to an event in order to resell them at a profit

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

waitin

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

what's

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

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The red-haired tout mopped his face with a frayed blue polka-dotted handkerchief.

won't

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

From this reading Say, take me spiel on this, won’t you, f’r a fi’muth?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Sey, what’s half a ten spot to you people?" he said in a tone of entreaty.

you're

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

From this reading "The one you’re waitin’ f’r’ll be ’bout 1 to 4 on, an’ this is sunshine money, at 100 to 1.

Chapter 5 of Taking Chances by Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen holds 388 sentences, grouped into 78 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 5 of Taking Chances contain?

Chapter 5 holds 388 sentences of Taking Chances, unabridged, divided into 78 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of Taking Chances by Clarence Louis, -1922 Cullen exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 388 sentences, grouped into 78 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 5 of Taking Chances?

Work through the 78 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 78 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Taking Chances 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 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.