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The Good Resolution
The Good Resolution

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Good Resolution is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Good Resolution
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GOOD RESOLUTION.
FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.
THE GOOD RESOLUTION.
"Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.
"Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.
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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 Good Resolution

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Good Resolution is here in full — 249 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GOOD RESOLUTION.
/ɡʊd ˌrezəˈluːʃən/
Line 2
FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.
Line 3
THE GOOD RESOLUTION.
/ðə ɡʊd ˌrezəˈluːʃən/
Line 4
"Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.
Line 5
"Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

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.

episcopal adjective US /ɪˈpɪskəpəl/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church

From this reading “FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.”

fourteenth adjective US /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the thirteenth in position

From this reading “"Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.”

Gardner noun US /ˈɡɑːrdnər/

United States collector and patron of art who built a museum in Boston to house her collection and opened it to the public in 1903 (1840-1924)

From this reading “"Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.”

Isabella noun US /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading “"Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.”

methodist adjective US /ˈmeθədəst/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley

From this reading “FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.”

resolution noun US /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading “GOOD RESOLUTION.”

surrounding adjective US /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/

closely encircling

From this reading “"Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.”

union noun US /ˈjuːnjən/

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading “FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.”

All words in this reading · 51

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.

200

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

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

birth-day

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

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

CHURCHnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

EPISCOPALadjectiveUS /ɪˈpɪskəpəl/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

fourteenthadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the thirteenth in position

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

GardnernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdnər/

United States collector and patron of art who built a museum in Boston to house her collection and opened it to the public in 1903 (1840-1924)

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

gloriousadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːriəs/

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

GOODadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading GOOD RESOLUTION.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

IsabellanounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

METHODISTadjectiveUS /ˈmeθədəst/

of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

MULBERRY-STREET

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

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

RESOLUTIONnounUS /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading GOOD RESOLUTION.

rose-bushes

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

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL

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

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/

closely encircling

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

to-day

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

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

unhappyadjectiveUS /ənˈhæpi/

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

UNIONnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why am I so unhappy to-day?" said Isabella Gardner, as she opened her eyes on the morning of her fourteenth birth-day.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading "Is it because the sun is not bright enough, or the flowers are not sweet enough?" she added, as she looked on the glorious sunshine that lay upon the rose-bushes surrounding her window.

Chapter 1 of The Good Resolution by Daniel P. (Daniel Parish) [Editor] Kidder holds 249 sentences, grouped into 50 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 Good Resolution contain?

Chapter 1 holds 249 sentences of The Good Resolution, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Good Resolution by Daniel P. (Daniel Parish) [Editor] Kidder exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 249 sentences, grouped into 50 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 Good Resolution?

Work through the 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 50 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 Good Resolution

Common questions about reading The Good Resolution by Daniel P. (Daniel Parish) [Editor] Kidder on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Good Resolution?

Yes. All 249 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #10994 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Good Resolution is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #10994, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Good Resolution take to read?

About 20 minutes of reading across 50 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Good Resolution section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Good Resolution 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 Good Resolution

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

Resolution
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Good Resolution; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sunday-school
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Good Resolution; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Union
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Good Resolution; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Methodist
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Good Resolution; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.