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The Lock and Key Library — Modern English
The Lock and Key Library — Modern English

Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

Chapter 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English is here in full — 208 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Lock and Key Library — Modern English
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Of course it's only nonsense.
We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.
But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.
But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"
The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Lock and Key Library — Modern English

Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

Chapter 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English is here in full — 208 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Of course it's only nonsense.
Line 2
We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.
/wiː noʊ ðæt ðæt sɔːrt ʌv θɪŋ ˈɔːlweɪz ɪz ˈnɑːnsens/
Line 3
But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.
/bʌt ɪf juː ʃʊd hæv ˈriːzən tuː səˈpoʊz ðæt ðer ɪz ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn ɪt bɪˈsaɪdz ˈnɑːnsens juː meɪ θɪŋk ɪt wɜːrθ jɔːr waɪl tuː meɪk ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz ʌv miː/
Line 4
But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"
Line 5
The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.
/ðə bæŋ ʌv ðə frʌnt dɔːr toʊld miː ðæt hiː hæd ɡɔːn aʊt ˈɪntuː ðə striːt/

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.

bang verb US /bæŋ/

strike violently

From this reading “The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.”

besides preposition US /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading “But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.”

inquiries noun US /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading “But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.”

nonsense noun US /ˈnɑːnsens/

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading “"Of course it's only nonsense.”

pipe noun US /paɪp/

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading “But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"”

possession noun US /pəˈzeʃən/

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading “But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"”

terms noun US /tɜːrmz/

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading “But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"”

worth noun US /wɜːrθ/

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading “But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.”

All words in this reading · 55

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.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

bangverbUS /bæŋ/

strike violently

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "Of course it's only nonsense.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

it's

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

From this reading "Of course it's only nonsense.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

nonsensenounUS /ˈnɑːnsens/

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading "Of course it's only nonsense.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Of course it's only nonsense.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading "Of course it's only nonsense.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

pipenounUS /paɪp/

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

possessionnounUS /pəˈzeʃən/

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/

express a supposition

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

termsnounUS /tɜːrmz/

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The bang of the front door told me that he had gone out into the street.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We know that that sort of thing always is nonsense.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

won't

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

From this reading But I won't have that pipe back again in my possession on any terms--mind that!"

worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But if you should have reason to suppose that there is something in it besides nonsense, you may think it worth your while to make inquiries of me.

Chapter 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English by Julian [Editor] Hawthorne holds 208 sentences, grouped into 42 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English contain?

Chapter 33 holds 208 sentences of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English by Julian [Editor] Hawthorne exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 208 sentences, grouped into 42 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 33 of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 33 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 33 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 Lock and Key Library — Modern English

Common questions about reading The Lock and Key Library — Modern English by Julian [Editor] Hawthorne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 8025 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2038 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2038, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Lock and Key Library — Modern English take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1605 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in The Lock and Key Library — Modern English

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Lock and Key Library — Modern English, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Robert
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Louis
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stevenson
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Review
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Lock and Key Library — Modern English; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.