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The Affable Stranger
The Affable Stranger

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Affable Stranger is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Affable Stranger
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.
Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.
EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.
And no wonder.
Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

The Affable Stranger

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Affable Stranger is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.
/tuː meɪk klɪr ðə ˈpɜːrpəs ʌv ðɪs bʊk ənd tuː səˈdʒest ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz tuː ðə ˈriːdər ðə ˈɔːθər ˈɔːfərz ðə ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ ˈɑːrtəkəl wɪtʃ wɑːz ˈpʌblɪʃt ɪn ðə tərˈɑːntoʊ ɡloʊb/
Line 2
Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.
/moʊst ʌv ðə ˈtʃæptərz fɜːrst əˈpɪrd ɪn ðə seɪm ˈdʒɜːrnəl/
Line 3
EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.
Line 4
And no wonder.
/ənd noʊ ˈwʌndər/
Line 5
Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

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.

chapters noun US /ˈtʃæptərz/

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading “Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.”

Globe noun US /ɡloʊb/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

journal noun US /ˈdʒɜːrnəl/

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading “Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.”

offers noun US /ˈɔːfərz/

plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering

From this reading “To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.”

possibilities noun US /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading “To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.”

singularly adverb US /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/

in a singular manner or to a singular degree

From this reading “EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.”

suggest verb US /səˈdʒest/

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading “To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.”

Toronto noun US /tərˈɑːntoʊ/

the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario (and the largest city in Canada)

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.

last word adjective + noun

the final statement in a verbal argument

In this reading “Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.”

got up verb + adjective counted as “get up”

rise to one's feet

In this reading “EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.”

appeared in verb + particle counted as “appear in”

In this reading “Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.”

All words in this reading · 55

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.

28

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

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

articlenounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəl/

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

care-free

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

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/

plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

cheerfuladjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪrfəl/

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

EKFRID

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

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

GlobenounUS /ɡloʊb/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

journalnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəl/

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

MostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading And no wonder.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/

plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

readernounUS /ˈriːdər/

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Most of the chapters first appeared in the same journal.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/

in a singular manner or to a singular degree

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

suggestverbUS /səˈdʒest/

make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

TorontonounUS /tərˈɑːntoʊ/

the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario (and the largest city in Canada)

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading EKFRID, July 28.--This morning I got up feeling singularly cheerful and care-free.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To make clear the purpose of this book and to suggest possibilities to the reader the author offers the following article which was published in the _Toronto Globe_.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading And no wonder.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

YesterdaynounUS /ˈjestərdeɪ/

the day immediately before today

From this reading Yesterday I got even with the world--said everything I wanted to say about it right down to the last word.

Chapter 1 of The Affable Stranger by Peter McArthur holds 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 The Affable Stranger contain?

Chapter 1 holds 150 sentences of The Affable Stranger, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Affable Stranger by Peter McArthur exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 The Affable Stranger?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 The Affable Stranger

Common questions about reading The Affable Stranger by Peter McArthur on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Affable Stranger?

Yes. All 1811 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #48128 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Affable Stranger is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #48128, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Affable Stranger take to read?

About 150 minutes of reading across 363 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Affable Stranger section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of The Affable Stranger 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 The Affable Stranger

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Affable Stranger, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Clear
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Affable Stranger; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Purpose
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Affable Stranger; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Suggest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Affable Stranger; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Possibilities
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Affable Stranger; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.