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The Bobbsey Twins
The Bobbsey Twins

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Bobbsey Twins is here in full — 121 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Bobbsey Twins
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.
The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.
"Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.
"Be careful."
Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.
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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 Bobbsey Twins

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Bobbsey Twins is here in full — 121 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.
Line 2
The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.
/ðə roʊd wɑːz ˈræðər əˈniːvən ənd hiː kʊd nɑːt help bʌt θɪŋk wʌt ðə ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz maɪt biː ɪf ðə ˈkʌtər ʃʊd straɪk ə diːp ˈhɑːloʊ ɔːr ə bɪɡ stoʊn/
Line 3
"Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.
Line 4
"Be careful."
/biː ˈkerfəl/
Line 5
Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.
/bɑːb wɑːz baɪ ðɪs taɪm ˈhævɪŋ hɪz hændz soʊ fʊl ðæt hiː kʊd nɑːt ˈænsər/

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.

Bob verb US /bɑːb/

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading “Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.”

confessed verb US /kənˈfest/

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading “THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.”

consequences noun US /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading “The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.”

cutter noun US /ˈkʌtər/

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading “The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.”

racing noun US /ˈreɪsɪŋ/

the sport of engaging in contests of speed

From this reading “THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.”

runaway noun US /ˈrʌnəweɪ/

an easy victory

From this reading “THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.”

Rusher noun US /ˈrʌʃər/

(football) a ball carrier who tries to gain ground by running with the ball

From this reading “"Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.”

uneven adjective US /əˈniːvən/

not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture

From this reading “The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.”

All words in this reading · 58

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 The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

Bert

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

BobverbUS /bɑːb/

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

carefuladjectiveUS /ˈkerfəl/

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading "Be careful."

confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

consequencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

cutternounUS /ˈkʌtər/

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

Don't

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

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

driveverbUS /draɪv/

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

enjoyverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

hollowadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːloʊ/

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/

held dear

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

RACEnounUS /reɪs/

any competition

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/

the sport of engaging in contests of speed

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

rideverbUS /raɪd/

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

runverbUS /rʌn/

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

RUNAWAYnounUS /ˈrʌnəweɪ/

an easy victory

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

RushernounUS /ˈrʌʃər/

(football) a ball carrier who tries to gain ground by running with the ball

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

stonenounUS /stoʊn/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.

unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/

not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone.

Chapter 16 of The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope holds 121 sentences, grouped into 25 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 16 of The Bobbsey Twins contain?

Chapter 16 holds 121 sentences of The Bobbsey Twins, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 121 sentences, grouped into 25 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 16 of The Bobbsey Twins?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Bobbsey Twins

Common questions about reading The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Bobbsey Twins?

Yes. All 2520 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #17412 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Bobbsey Twins is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #17412, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Bobbsey Twins take to read?

About 210 minutes of reading across 504 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Bobbsey Twins section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The Bobbsey Twins 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 Bobbsey Twins

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

Mamma
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bobbsey Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brought
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bobbsey Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bobbsey
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bobbsey Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twins
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Bobbsey Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.