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The Deadly Daughters
The Deadly Daughters

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Deadly Daughters is here in full — 292 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Deadly Daughters
Context Illustration Reading 1/58 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.
"The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.
It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.
Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."
The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.
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 Deadly Daughters

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Deadly Daughters is here in full — 292 sentences across 59 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/58 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.
Line 2
"The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.
Line 3
It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.
Line 4
Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."
/ˈaʊər ɪˈlekʃənz ɑːr rɪɡd tuː pərˈpetʃəweɪt ə səˈlekt ɡruːp ʌv ˈfemənɪsts ɪn ˈæbsəluːt ˈpaʊər/
Line 5
The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.
/ðə mɪkst ɡruːp ʌv ˈsiːnjərz stɜːrd ɪn ðer siːts wɪð waɪd aɪz ənd ˈmeni bɪˈɡæn ˈteɪkɪŋ noʊts/

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.

electoral adjective US /ɪˈlektərəl/

of or relating to elections

From this reading “It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.”

fanatics noun US /fəˈnætɪks/

plural of “fanatic” — a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading “_These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.”

feminists noun US /ˈfemənɪsts/

plural of “feminist” — a supporter of feminism

From this reading “Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."”

figuratively adverb US /fɪˈɡjʊrətɪvli/

in a figurative sense

From this reading “_These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.”

Humanist adjective US /ˈhjuːmənɪst/

of or pertaining to Renaissance humanism

From this reading “"The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.”

oligarchy noun US /ˈɑːləɡɑːrki/

a political system governed by a few people

From this reading “It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.”

perpetuate verb US /pərˈpetʃəweɪt/

cause to continue or prevail

From this reading “Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."”

seniors noun US /ˈsiːnjərz/

plural of “senior” — an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation

From this reading “The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.”

All words in this reading · 93

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.

40

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

800

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/

surprising greatly

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/

a man who has never been married

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

Dr

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

electionsnounUS /ɪˈlekʃənz/

plural of “election” — a vote to select the winner of a position or political office

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

electoraladjectiveUS /ɪˈlektərəl/

of or relating to elections

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

emptyverbUS /ˈempti/

make void or empty of contents

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

establishedadjectiveUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

fanaticsnounUS /fəˈnætɪks/

plural of “fanatic” — a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

feministsnounUS /ˈfemənɪsts/

plural of “feminist” — a supporter of feminism

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

figurativelyadverbUS /fɪˈɡjʊrətɪvli/

in a figurative sense

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

firmlyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrmli/

with resolute determination

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

groupnounUS /ɡruːp/

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

Hubert

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

HumanistadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmənɪst/

of or pertaining to Renaissance humanism

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

It's

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

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

lectureverbUS /ˈlektʃər/

deliver a lecture or talk

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/

in a literal sense

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

LongadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

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 The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

matrimonynounUS /ˈmætrəmoʊni/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

Mentioch

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

mixedadjectiveUS /mɪkst/

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

murderverbUS /ˈmɜːrdər/

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

mythnounUS /mɪθ/

a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

necknounUS /nek/

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

notesnounUS /noʊts/

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/

not divisible by two

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

oligarchynounUS /ˈɑːləɡɑːrki/

a political system governed by a few people

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

PartynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

perpetuateverbUS /pərˈpetʃəweɪt/

cause to continue or prevail

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/

possession of controlling influence

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

professornounUS /prəˈfesər/

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

ridiculousadjectiveUS /rɪˈdɪkjələs/

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/

fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

ritualnounUS /ˈrɪtʃuːəl/

any customary observance or practice

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

seatsnounUS /siːts/

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

seniorsnounUS /ˈsiːnjərz/

plural of “senior” — an undergraduate student during the year preceding graduation

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

shoutedadjectiveUS /ˈʃaʊtɪd/

in a vehement outcry

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/

plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "The Humanist Party," he shouted at the 800 odd students in the lecture hall, "is not a political party at all.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

thrustverbUS /θrʌst/

push forcefully

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Our elections are rigged to perpetuate a select group of feminists in absolute power."

UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

unlovelyadjective

without beauty or charm

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

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 It's an oligarchy, so firmly established in Washington that our electoral form of government is an empty ritual, a ridiculous myth.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The mixed group of seniors stirred in their seats with wide eyes, and many began taking notes.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _These gorgeous fanatics were equally at home with men, murder, or matrimony, and they used all three with amazing success._ Dr. Hubert Long, 40, bachelor and assistant professor of political science at Mentioch University, thrust his rugged, unlovely face forward, sticking out his neck literally and figuratively.

Chapter 1 of The Deadly Daughters by Winston K. (Winston Kinney) Marks holds 292 sentences, grouped into 59 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 Deadly Daughters contain?

Chapter 1 holds 292 sentences of The Deadly Daughters, unabridged, divided into 59 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Deadly Daughters by Winston K. (Winston Kinney) Marks exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 292 sentences, grouped into 59 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 Deadly Daughters?

Work through the 59 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 59 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 Deadly Daughters

Common questions about reading The Deadly Daughters by Winston K. (Winston Kinney) Marks on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Deadly Daughters?

Yes. All 292 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24965 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Deadly Daughters is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24965, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Deadly Daughters take to read?

About 24 minutes of reading across 59 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Deadly Daughters section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Deadly Daughters 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 Deadly Daughters

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

These
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Deadly Daughters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gorgeous
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Deadly Daughters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fanatics
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Deadly Daughters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Equally
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Deadly Daughters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.