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The first violin: A novel
The first violin: A novel

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The first violin: A novel is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The first violin: A novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MISS HALLAM.
"Wonderful weather for April!"
Yes, it certainty was wonderful.
I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.
Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.
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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 first violin: A novel

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The first violin: A novel is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MISS HALLAM.
Line 2
"Wonderful weather for April!"
/ˈwʌndərfəl ˈweðər fɔːr ˈeɪprəl/
Line 3
Yes, it certainty was wonderful.
/jes ɪt ˈsɜːrtənti wɑːz ˈwʌndərfəl/
Line 4
I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.
Line 5
Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

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.

April noun US /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading “"Wonderful weather for April!"”

balmy adjective US /ˈbɑːmi/

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading “I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.”

certainty noun US /ˈsɜːrtənti/

the state of being certain

From this reading “Yes, it certainty was wonderful.”

enjoyment noun US /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading “I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.”

heavily adverb US /ˈhevəli/

to a considerable degree

From this reading “Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.”

members noun US /ˈmembərz/

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading “I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.”

periods noun US /ˈpɪriədz/

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading “I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.”

sentiment noun US /ˈsentəmənt/

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading “I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.”

All words in this reading · 52

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.

agreedadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːd/

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading "Wonderful weather for April!"

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

balmyadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːmi/

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/

the state of being certain

From this reading Yes, it certainty was wonderful.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/

communicated in words

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Wonderful weather for April!"

fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

HALLAM

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

From this reading MISS HALLAM.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/

to a considerable degree

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yes, it certainty was wonderful.

laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/

set down according to a plan

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

membersnounUS /ˈmembərz/

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

MISSverbUS /mɪs/

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

From this reading MISS HALLAM.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

out-of-doorsnoun

where the air is unconfined

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

sentimentnounUS /ˈsentəmənt/

tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

springnounUS /sprɪŋ/

the season of growth

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

TroublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Trouble--the first trouble of my life--had laid her hand heavily upon me.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Yes, it certainty was wonderful.

weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading "Wonderful weather for April!"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I fully agreed with the sentiment expressed at different periods of the day by different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors--pleasure in that balmy spring air.

WonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading "Wonderful weather for April!"

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, it certainty was wonderful.

Chapter 1 of The first violin: A novel by Jessie Fothergill holds 106 sentences, grouped into 22 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 first violin: A novel contain?

Chapter 1 holds 106 sentences of The first violin: A novel, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The first violin: A novel by Jessie Fothergill exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 106 sentences, grouped into 22 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 first violin: A novel?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 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 first violin: A novel

Common questions about reading The first violin: A novel by Jessie Fothergill on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The first violin: A novel?

Yes. All 9030 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29219 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The first violin: A novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29219, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The first violin: A novel take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1806 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The first violin: A novel section by section

How to work through The first violin: A novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of The first violin: A novel 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 first violin: A novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in The first violin: A novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Hallam
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The first violin: A novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wonderful
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The first violin: A novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Weather
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The first violin: A novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
April
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The first violin: A novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.