Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Blind Spot
The Blind Spot

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of The Blind Spot is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Blind Spot
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was Chick's opportunity.
By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.
In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.
It is called the University of California.”
And this California; what is it, my lord?”
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 Blind Spot

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of The Blind Spot is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
It was Chick's opportunity.
/ɪt wɑːz tʃɪks ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
Line 2
By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.
Line 3
In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.
Line 4
It is called the University of California.”
/ɪt ɪz kɔːld ðə ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti ʌv ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
Line 5
And this California; what is it, my lord?”
/ənd ðɪs ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə wʌt ɪz ɪt maɪ lɔːrd/

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.

America noun US /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 ““In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.”

California noun US /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading “It is called the University of California.””

Chick's noun US /tʃɪks/

possessive form of “chick” — young bird especially of domestic fowl

From this reading “It was Chick's opportunity.”

devoted adjective US /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading ““In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.”

enhance verb US /enˈhæns/

increase

From this reading “By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.”

institution noun US /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading ““In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.”

intelligence noun US /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading ““In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.”

University noun US /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading “It is called the University of California.””

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

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 “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading It is called the University of California.”

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It is called the University of California.”

Chick'snounUS /tʃɪks/

possessive form of “chick” — young bird especially of domestic fowl

From this reading It was Chick's opportunity.

chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

devotedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

Dr

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

enhanceverbUS /enˈhæns/

increase

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

Geas

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

Holcomb

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Chick's opportunity.

Jaradas

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

lordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading “And this California; what is it, my lord?”

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “And this California; what is it, my lord?”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It was Chick's opportunity.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

Rhamda

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

Rhamdas

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “And this California; what is it, my lord?”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

truthnounUS /truːθ/

a fact that has been verified

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading It is called the University of California.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was Chick's opportunity.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “And this California; what is it, my lord?”

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading By telling the simple truth about Dr. Holcomb he would enhance himself in the eyes of Rhamda Geas.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “In the other world--we call it America--the Jaradas is a Rhamda much like yourself, the head and chief of many Rhamdas sitting in a great institution devoted to intelligence.

Chapter 18 of The Blind Spot by Austin Hall holds 412 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 18 of The Blind Spot contain?

Chapter 18 holds 412 sentences of The Blind Spot, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of The Blind Spot by Austin Hall exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 412 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 18 of The Blind Spot?

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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Blind Spot

Common questions about reading The Blind Spot by Austin Hall on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Blind Spot?

Yes. All 9924 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4920 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Blind Spot is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4920, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Blind Spot take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1985 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Blind Spot section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of The Blind Spot 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 Blind Spot

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

Austin
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blind Spot; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Homer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blind Spot; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flint
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blind Spot; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Blind
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Blind Spot; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.