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The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do
The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do is here in full — 380 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do
Context Illustration Reading 1/76 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
* * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.
Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.
The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.
If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.
When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.
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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 Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do is here in full — 380 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/76 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
* * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.
Line 2
Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.
Line 3
The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.
Line 4
If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.
/ɪf ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl laɪnz ɑːr riˈkwaɪərd kʌt ˈnɑːtʃəz ɑːn ðə edʒ fɔːr ðə loʊˈkeɪʃən ʌv iːtʃ laɪn æz ʃoʊn/
Line 5
When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.
/wen ðə ˈvɜːrtɪkəl laɪnz ɑːr drɔːn ðiːz ˈnɑːtʃəz wɪl mɑːrk ðə ˈpleɪsəz fɔːr ðə ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl laɪnz/

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.

cardboard noun US /ˈkɑːrdbɔːrd/

a stiff moderately thick paper

From this reading “Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.”

cutout noun US /ˈkʌtaʊt/

a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload

From this reading “The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.”

horizontal adjective US /ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl/

parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line

From this reading “If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.”

location noun US /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

a point or extent in space

From this reading “If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.”

notches noun US /ˈnɑːtʃəz/

plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation

From this reading “If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.”

ruling noun US /ˈruːlɪŋ/

the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)

From this reading “Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.”

template noun US /ˈtemplət/

a model or standard for making comparisons

From this reading “Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.”

vertical adjective US /ˈvɜːrtɪkəl/

at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line

From this reading “When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.”

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.

horizontal lines adjective + noun counted as “horizontal line”

In this reading “If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.”

vertical lines adjective + noun counted as “vertical line”

In this reading “When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.”

on the edge preposition + article + noun counted as “on … edge”

In this reading “If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.”

by using preposition + noun

In this reading “Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

1

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

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

2

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

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

BlankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

booknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

BooksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

cardboardnounUS /ˈkɑːrdbɔːrd/

a stiff moderately thick paper

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

corncobs

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

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

currycombnoun

a square comb with rows of small teeth; used to curry horses

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

cutverbUS /kʌt/

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

cutoutnounUS /ˈkʌtaʊt/

a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

edgenounUS /edʒ/

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

FignounUS /fɪɡ/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

horizontaladjectiveUS /ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl/

parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/

a point or extent in space

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

markverbUS /mɑːrk/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.

metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

notchesnounUS /ˈnɑːtʃəz/

plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

pencilnounUS /ˈpensəl/

a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

piecenounUS /piːs/

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.

requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading If horizontal lines are required, cut notches on the edge for the location of each line as shown.

RulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/

the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

sheetnounUS /ʃiːt/

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

substituteverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːt/

put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

templatenounUS /ˈtemplət/

a model or standard for making comparisons

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

tiedadjectiveUS /taɪd/

bound or secured closely

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading * * * * * A good substitute currycomb can be made of corncobs tied together tightly.

usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading Ruling Blank Books A special ruling for a blank book can be drawn by using a thin piece of sheet metal or cardboard, cut as shown in Fig. 1, for a template.

verticaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtɪkəl/

at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line

From this reading When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the vertical lines are drawn, these notches will mark the places for the horizontal lines.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The pencil is drawn along one edge of the cutout so that it will make lines as shown in Fig. 2.

Chapter 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do by H. H. (Henry Haven) [Editor] Windsor holds 380 sentences, grouped into 76 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 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do contain?

Chapter 15 holds 380 sentences of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do, unabridged, divided into 76 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do by H. H. (Henry Haven) [Editor] Windsor exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 380 sentences, grouped into 76 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 15 of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do?

Work through the 76 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 76 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do

Common questions about reading The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do by H. H. (Henry Haven) [Editor] Windsor on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do?

Yes. All 9113 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44585 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #44585, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1823 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do section by section

How to work through The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do 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 Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Etext
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Differs
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Original
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Follows
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Mechanic, Book — Book 2, 1000 Things for Boys to Do; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.