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The Battle of Life
The Battle of Life

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Battle of Life is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Battle of Life
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.
Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’
Indeed?’ said Grace, placidly.
Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.
I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, but not much.
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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 Battle of Life

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Battle of Life is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.
Line 2
Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’
Line 3
Indeed?’ said Grace, placidly.
Line 4
Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.
Line 5
I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

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.

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “‘Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.”

All words in this reading · 50

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.

a

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

Alfred

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

Alfred's

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

and

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

as

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

be

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

being

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

believe

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

better

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

but

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

called

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

could

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

course

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

Doctor

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

don't

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

From this reading ‘Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.

Duchess

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

Grace

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

From this reading ‘Indeed?’ said Grace, placidly.

have

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

I

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

if

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

Indeed

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

From this reading ‘Indeed?’ said Grace, placidly.

inquired

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

From this reading ‘Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.

it

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

liked

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

made

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

much

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

must

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

not

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

Nothing

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

now

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

odd

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

of

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

one

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

placidly

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

From this reading ‘Indeed?’ said Grace, placidly.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading ‘Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.

returned

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

said

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

seems

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

serve

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

she

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

so

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

something

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

than

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

the

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

From this reading ‘Alfred, of course,’ said the Doctor.

think

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

From this reading ‘I think I remember something of it,’ she returned, ‘but not much.

we

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

Why

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

From this reading ‘Why, don’t you remember?’ inquired the Doctor.

wife

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

would

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

you

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

From this reading ‘Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred’s wife; so we called you Alfred’s wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odd as it seems now), than being called a Duchess, if we could have made you one.’

Chapter 5 of The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens holds 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 5 of The Battle of Life contain?

Chapter 5 holds 189 sentences of The Battle of Life, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 189 sentences, grouped into 38 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 The Battle of Life?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 The Battle of Life

Common questions about reading The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Battle of Life?

Yes. All 1692 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #676 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Battle of Life is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #676, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Battle of Life take to read?

About 141 minutes of reading across 339 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Battle of Life section by section

How to work through The Battle of Life section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Battle of Life 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 Battle of Life

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Battle of Life, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Matters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of Life; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of Life; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stalwart
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of Life; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
England
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Battle of Life; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.