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The Big Four
The Big Four

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Big Four is here in full — 413 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Big Four
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.
For information contact Dodd, Mead & Company.
Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.
Personally, I can never manage this.
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.

The Big Four

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Big Four is here in full — 413 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.
/ˈpʌblɪʃt baɪ del ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ koʊ ɪŋk/
Line 2
750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.
Line 3
For information contact Dodd, Mead & Company.
Line 4
Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.
Line 5
Personally, I can never manage this.
/ˈpɜːrsənəli aɪ kæn ˈnevər ˈmænədʒ ðɪs/

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.

Christie noun US /ˈkrɪsti/

prolific English writer of detective stories (1890-1976)

From this reading “750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.”

Copyright noun US /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading “750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.”

dell noun US /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading “Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.”

disembark verb US /dɪsemˈbɑːrk/

go ashore

From this reading “Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.”

inc noun US /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading “Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.”

Mead noun US /miːd/

United States anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in Polynesian cultures (1901-1978)

From this reading “750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.”

moored verb US /mʊrd/

past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading “Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.”

Reprinted verb US /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading “Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.”

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.

wait until verb + particle

In this reading “Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.”

All words in this reading · 82

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.

0562

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

10016

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

10017

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

1927

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

1955

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

1972

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

681510

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

750

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

Agatha

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

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 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

AvenuenounUS /ˈævənuː/

a line of approach

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

boatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

calmlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmli/

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

ChristienounUS /ˈkrɪsti/

prolific English writer of detective stories (1890-1976)

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

COnounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/

close interaction

From this reading For information contact Dodd, Mead & Company.

CopyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/

a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

crossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/

traveling across

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

deck-chairs

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

DELLnounUS /del/

a small wooded hollow

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

disembarkverbUS /dɪsemˈbɑːrk/

go ashore

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

Dodd

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

EditionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For information contact Dodd, Mead & Company.

fussverbUS /fʌs/

worry unnecessarily or excessively

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

gatherverbUS /ˈɡæðər/

assemble or get together

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

INCnounUS /ɪŋk/

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

a message received and understood

From this reading For information contact Dodd, Mead & Company.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

JunenounUS /dʒuːn/

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

Mallowan

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

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

manageverbUS /ˈmænədʒ/

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading Personally, I can never manage this.

MeadnounUS /miːd/

United States anthropologist noted for her claims about adolescence and sexual behavior in Polynesian cultures (1901-1978)

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

metverbUS /met/

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

mooredverbUS /mʊrd/

past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Personally, I can never manage this.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

PersonallyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrsənəli/

as yourself

From this reading Personally, I can never manage this.

PreviousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

PrintedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

printingnounUS /ˈprɪntɪŋ/

text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

PublishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

PUBLISHINGnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading Published by DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

ReprintedverbUS /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

rightsnounUS /raɪts/

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

ThirdnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Personally, I can never manage this.

TMnoun

a soft silvery metallic element of the rare earth group; isotope 170 emits X-rays and is used in small portable X-ray machines; it occurs in monazite and apatite and xenotime

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

waitverbUS /weɪt/

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Dell ® TM 681510, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company New York, New York 10016 Printed in the United States of America Previous Dell Edition #0562 New Dell Edition First printing--June 1972 I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark.

YorknounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading 750 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Copyright 1927 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. Copyright renewed 1955 by Agatha Christie Mallowan All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 of The Big Four by Agatha Christie holds 413 sentences, grouped into 83 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 Big Four contain?

Chapter 1 holds 413 sentences of The Big Four, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Big Four by Agatha Christie exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 413 sentences, grouped into 83 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 Big Four?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 Big Four

Common questions about reading The Big Four by Agatha Christie on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Big Four?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Big Four is used?

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

How long does The Big Four take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Big Four section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The Big Four 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 Big Four

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

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The Big Four, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The Big Four, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The Big Four, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.