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The Coming Wave
The Coming Wave

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Coming Wave is here in full — 187 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oliver Optic • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Coming Wave
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
YACHT CLUB SERIES.
THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.
AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.
_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
_This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
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 Coming Wave

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Coming Wave is here in full — 187 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
YACHT CLUB SERIES.
/jɑːt klʌb ˈsɪriz/
Line 2
THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.
/ðə jɑːt klʌb ˈsɪriz/
Line 3
AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.
Line 4
_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Line 5
_This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
/ðɪs bʊk ɪz əˈfekʃənətli ˈdedəkeɪtəd/

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.

adams noun US /ˈædəmz/

American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)

From this reading “_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
affectionately adverb US /əˈfekʃənətli/

with affection

From this reading “_This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Congress noun US /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading “_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dedicated adjective US /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading “_This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
illustrations noun US /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading “_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Librarian noun US /laɪˈbreriːən/

a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services

From this reading “_WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
navy noun US /ˈneɪvi/

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
starry adjective US /ˈstɑːriː/

abounding with or resembling stars

From this reading “AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 46

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.

1874

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

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Pending verification
ABROADadverbUS /əˈbrɔːd/

to or in a foreign country

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ActverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ADAMSnounUS /ˈædəmz/

American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AFFECTIONATELYadverbUS /əˈfekʃənətli/

with affection

From this reading _This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ARMYnounUS /ˈɑːrmi/

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BOATnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BooknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading _This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CLUBnounUS /klʌb/

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading YACHT CLUB SERIES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEDICATEDadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/

devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose

From this reading _This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EnteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

Pending verification
FLAGnounUS /flæɡ/

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ILLUSTRATIONSnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
LAKEnounUS /leɪk/

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LibrariannounUS /laɪˈbreriːən/

a professional person trained in library science and engaged in library services

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NAVYnounUS /ˈneɪvi/

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ONWARDadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/

forward in time or order or degree

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SERIESnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading YACHT CLUB SERIES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHOREnounUS /ʃɔːr/

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STARRYadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːriː/

abounding with or resembling stars

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STORIESnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TnounUS /tiː/

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE YACHT CLUB SERIES.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THIRTEENnounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading _This Book_ IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
UPWARDadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/

directed up

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WashingtonnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən/

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WILLIAM

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

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Pending verification
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WOODVILLE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

Pending verification
YACHTnounUS /jɑːt/

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading YACHT CLUB SERIES.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading _WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS._ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, By WILLIAM T. ADAMS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YOUNGadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES," "THE BOAT CLUB STORIES," "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES," "THE UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES," ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Coming Wave by Oliver Optic holds 187 sentences, grouped into 38 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 Coming Wave contain?

Chapter 1 holds 187 sentences of The Coming Wave, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Coming Wave by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 187 sentences, grouped into 38 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 Coming Wave?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 Coming Wave

Common questions about reading The Coming Wave by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Coming Wave?

Yes. All 3518 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #23773 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Coming Wave is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #23773, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Coming Wave take to read?

About 293 minutes of reading across 704 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Coming Wave section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of The Coming Wave 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 Coming Wave

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

Yacht
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Coming Wave; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Coming Wave; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Coming Wave; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Young
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Coming Wave; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.