The missing chums

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of The missing chums is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Franklin W. Dixon • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The missing chums

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

Still, it was gaining ground.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

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Chapter VIII Reading 1/26

The missing chums

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of The missing chums is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

/ðə streɪndʒ ˈletər ðə ˈendʒən rɔːrd æz fræŋk ˈhɑːrdi ˈoʊpənd ðə ˈθrɑːtəl ənd bɔːr daʊn ɑːn ðə helm ʌv ðə sluːθ/

Line 2

The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

/ðə ɡrɪp ʌv ðə ˈkɜːrənt əˈbaʊt ðə riːf wɑːz soʊ strɔːŋ ðæt fɔːr ə ˈmoʊmənt ɪt siːmd ðæt ðə ˈmoʊtərboʊt kʊd nɑːt faɪt əˈɡenst ɪt/

Line 3

Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

/ðen ˈsloʊli ðə kræft swʌŋ əˈbaʊt siːmd tuː rɪˈmeɪn ˈmoʊʃənləs fɔːr ə ˈmoʊmənt ənd ðen bɪˈɡæn tuː fɔːrdʒ əˈhed əˈweɪ frʌm ðə riːf/

Line 4

Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

/ˈfaɪtɪŋ əˈɡenst ðə fɔːrs ʌv ðə ˈkɜːrənt ðə ˈmoʊtərboʊt meɪd sloʊ ˈprɑːɡres/

Line 5

Still, it was gaining ground.

/stɪl ɪt wɑːz ˈɡeɪnɪŋ ɡraʊnd/

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.

forge verb US /fɔːrdʒ/

create by hammering

From this reading “Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.”

gaining verb US /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading “Still, it was gaining ground.”

Hardy adjective US /ˈhɑːrdi/

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading “THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.”

helm noun US /helm/

steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

From this reading “THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.”

motorboat noun US /ˈmoʊtərboʊt/

a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine

From this reading “The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.”

reef noun US /riːf/

a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading “The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.”

Sleuth noun US /sluːθ/

a detective who follows a trail

throttle verb US /ˈθrɑːtəl/

place limits on (extent or amount or access)

From this reading “THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.”

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.

remain motionless verb + adjective

In this reading “Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.”

slow progress adjective + noun

In this reading “Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.”

fight against verb + particle

In this reading “The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.”

gaining ground verb + noun counted as “gain ground”

obtain advantages, such as points, etc.

In this reading “Still, it was gaining ground.”

for a moment preposition + article + noun counted as “for … moment”

temporarily

In this reading “The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.”

bore down verb + adjective

In this reading “THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.”

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/

at or in the front

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

boreverbUS /bɔːr/

cause to be bored

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

craftnounUS /kræft/

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

currentnounUS /ˈkɜːrənt/

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

fightverbUS /faɪt/

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

FightingnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

forcenounUS /fɔːrs/

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

forgeverbUS /fɔːrdʒ/

create by hammering

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

FrankadjectiveUS /fræŋk/

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading Still, it was gaining ground.

gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/

the act of grasping

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Still, it was gaining ground.

HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

helmnounUS /helm/

steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

LETTERnounUS /ˈletər/

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/

not in physical motion

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

motorboatnounUS /ˈmoʊtərboʊt/

a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

reefnounUS /riːf/

a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

SleuthnounUS /sluːθ/

a detective who follows a trail

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Fighting against the force of the current, the motorboat made slow progress.

slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

StilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, it was gaining ground.

STRANGEadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

swungverbUS /swʌŋ/

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

throttleverbUS /ˈθrɑːtəl/

place limits on (extent or amount or access)

From this reading THE STRANGE LETTER The engine roared as Frank Hardy opened the throttle and bore down on the helm of the _Sleuth_.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then, slowly, the craft swung about, seemed to remain motionless for a moment, and then began to forge ahead, away from the reef.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The grip of the current about the reef was so strong that, for a moment, it seemed that the motorboat could not fight against it.

Chapter 8 of The missing chums by Franklin W. Dixon holds 132 sentences, grouped into 27 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 8 of The missing chums contain?

Chapter 8 holds 132 sentences of The missing chums, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The missing chums by Franklin W. Dixon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 132 sentences, grouped into 27 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 8 of The missing chums?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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.

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Chapter VIII

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