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The Fall of a Nation
The Fall of a Nation

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Fall of a Nation is here in full — 376 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/75 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.
Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.
“But you must hear Miss Holland!”
Zonia pleaded.
John Vassar shook his head.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
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The Fall of a Nation

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Fall of a Nation is here in full — 376 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/75 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.
Line 2
Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.
Line 3
“But you must hear Miss Holland!”
/bʌt juː mʌst hiːr mɪs ˈhɑːlənd/
Line 4
Zonia pleaded.
Line 5
John Vassar shook his head.

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.

beset verb US /bɪˈset/

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

complications noun US /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating

From this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

Congratulations noun US /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading “Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.”

Congress noun US /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

Holland noun US /ˈhɑːlənd/

a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading ““But you must hear Miss Holland!””

nieces noun US /ˈniːsɪz/

plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading “Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.”

sensational adjective US /senˈseɪʃənəl/

causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion

From this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

Stuyvesant noun US /ˈstaɪvəsənt/

the last Dutch colonial administrator of New Netherland; in 1664 he was forced to surrender the colony to England (1592-1672)

From this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

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.

beset with verb + particle

In this reading “John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.”

All words in this reading · 47

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.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

besetverbUS /bɪˈset/

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

billnounUS /bɪl/

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

complicationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

CongratulationsnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

domesticadjectiveUS /dəˈmestɪk/

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading John Vassar shook his head.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/

a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/

the act of beginning something new

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

niecesnounUS /ˈniːsɪz/

plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading Zonia pleaded.

receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/

only a very short time before

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

sensationaladjectiveUS /senˈseɪʃənəl/

causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

shooknounUS /ʃʊk/

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading John Vassar shook his head.

SquareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

StuyvesantnounUS /ˈstaɪvəsənt/

the last Dutch colonial administrator of New Netherland; in 1664 he was forced to surrender the colony to England (1592-1672)

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/

joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

Vassar

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

From this reading John Vassar shook his head.

Vassar's

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

Wanda

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

From this reading Congratulations from his father, nieces, and Wanda had scarcely been received before the trouble began.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading John Vassar’s triumphant return to his home on Stuyvesant Square, after the introduction of his sensational bill in Congress, was beset with domestic complications.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “But you must hear Miss Holland!”

Zonia

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

From this reading Zonia pleaded.

Chapter 5 of The Fall of a Nation by Thomas, Jr. Dixon holds 376 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 5 of The Fall of a Nation contain?

Chapter 5 holds 376 sentences of The Fall of a Nation, unabridged, divided into 76 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Fall of a Nation by Thomas, Jr. Dixon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 376 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 5 of The Fall of a Nation?

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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Fall of a Nation

Common questions about reading The Fall of a Nation by Thomas, Jr. Dixon on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fall of a Nation?

Yes. All 4991 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #48089 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fall of a Nation is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #48089, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Fall of a Nation take to read?

About 415 minutes of reading across 999 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Fall of a Nation section by section

How to work through The Fall of a Nation section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Fall of a Nation

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Fall of a Nation, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fall of a Nation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clansman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fall of a Nation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Southerner
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fall of a Nation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Foolish
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fall of a Nation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.