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The Brass Check
The Brass Check

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Brass Check is here in full — 42 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Brass Check
Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.
My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.
It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.
I return to Paris in a few weeks.
Reaction there holds the center of the walk.
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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 Brass Check

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Brass Check is here in full — 42 sentences across 9 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.
Line 2
My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.
Line 3
It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.
Line 4
I return to Paris in a few weeks.
/aɪ rɪˈtɜːrn tuː ˈperɪs ɪn ə fjuː wiːks/
Line 5
Reaction there holds the center of the walk.
/riˈækʃən ðer hoʊldz ðə ˈsɛn.tər ʌv ðə wɔːk/

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.

combats noun US /kəmˈbæts/

plural of “combat” — an engagement fought between two military forces

From this reading “My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.”

Oct noun US /ɔːkt/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading “VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.”

prepares verb US /priˈperz/

third-person singular of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading “My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.”

Reaction noun US /riˈækʃən/

(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

From this reading “Reaction there holds the center of the walk.”

renders noun US /ˈrendərz/

plural of “render” — a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls

From this reading “It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.”

requires verb US /riˈkwaɪərz/

third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading “It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.”

switzerland noun US /ˈswɪtsərlənd/

a landlocked federal republic in central Europe

From this reading “VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.”

tribute noun US /ˈtrɪbjuːt/

something given or done as an expression of esteem

From this reading “It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.”

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.

few weeks adjective + noun counted as “few week”

In this reading “I return to Paris in a few weeks.”

prepares for verb + particle counted as “prepare for”

prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant

In this reading “My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.”

entire world adjective + noun

In this reading “It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.”

All words in this reading · 61

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.

1919

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

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

6

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

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

attacknounUS /əˈtæk/

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

boldadjectiveUS /boʊld/

fearless and daring

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

booknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

the act of burning something

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

combatsnounUS /kəmˈbæts/

plural of “combat” — an engagement fought between two military forces

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

Confrère

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

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

DearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

entireadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtaɪər/

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I return to Paris in a few weeks.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I return to Paris in a few weeks.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

Minotaurnoun

(Greek mythology) a mythical monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man; slain by Theseus

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/

an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

OctnounUS /ɔːkt/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading I return to Paris in a few weeks.

preparesverbUS /priˈperz/

third-person singular of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

PressverbUS /pres/

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

ReactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/

(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

rendersnounUS /ˈrendərz/

plural of “render” — a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/

third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading I return to Paris in a few weeks.

rudeadjectiveUS /ruːd/

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

SWITZERLANDnounUS /ˈswɪtsərlənd/

a landlocked federal republic in central Europe

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

tributenounUS /ˈtrɪbjuːt/

something given or done as an expression of esteem

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

VILLENEUVE

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

From this reading VILLENEUVE, SWITZERLAND, Monday, Oct 6, 1919.

walknounUS /wɔːk/

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading Reaction there holds the center of the walk.

weeksnounUS /wiːks/

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading I return to Paris in a few weeks.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It requires a bold courage to dare, when one is alone, to attack the monster, the new Minotaur, to which the entire world renders tribute: the Press.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading My Dear Confrère: I am happy to see you always so burning with energy, but your next book prepares for you some rude combats.

Chapter 1 of The Brass Check by Upton Sinclair holds 42 sentences, grouped into 9 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 Brass Check contain?

Chapter 1 holds 42 sentences of The Brass Check, unabridged, divided into 9 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Brass Check by Upton Sinclair exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 42 sentences, grouped into 9 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 Brass Check?

Work through the 9 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 9 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 Brass Check

Common questions about reading The Brass Check by Upton Sinclair on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Brass Check?

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

Which edition of The Brass Check is used?

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

How long does The Brass Check take to read?

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

How to read The Brass Check section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The Brass Check 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 Brass Check

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

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