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The Mountains
The Mountains

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Mountains is here in full — 186 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Mountains
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.
After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.
I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.
If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.
It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.
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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 Mountains

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Mountains is here in full — 186 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.
Line 2
After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.
/ˈæftər ˈdraɪɪŋ ðə ˈbɑːksəz ɑːr riˈmuːvd ˈliːvɪŋ ðə stɪf ˈrɔːhaɪd laɪk smɔːl trʌŋks ˈoʊ.pən æt ðə tɑːp/
Line 3
I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.
/aɪ prəˈfɜːr ðə ˈkænvəs fɔːr ðə ˈriːzən ðæt ðeɪ kæn biː ˈfoʊldəd ənd pækt fɔːr ˈreɪlroʊd ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən/
Line 4
If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.
Line 5
It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

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.

drying verb US /ˈdraɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry

From this reading “After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.”

insert verb US /ˌɪnˈsɜːrt/

put or introduce into something

From this reading “If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.”

miscellaneous adjective US /ˌmɪsəˈleɪniəs/

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading “If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.”

rawhide noun US /ˈrɔːhaɪd/

untanned hide especially of cattle; cut in strips it is used for whips and ropes

From this reading “The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.”

receptacle noun US /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/

An object or container used to hold or store something.

From this reading “If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.”

rougher adjective US /ˈrʌfər/

comparative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading “It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.”

stiffer adjective US /ˈstɪfər/

comparative of “stiff” — not moving or operating freely

From this reading “If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.”

transportation noun US /ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən/

a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods

From this reading “I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.”

All words in this reading · 62

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 If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

alforjas

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

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

articlesnounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəlz/

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

cannot

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

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/

not still wet

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

foldedverbUS /ˈfoʊldəd/

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

insertverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrt/

put or introduce into something

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

kyacks

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

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

looseadjectiveUS /luːs/

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

miscellaneousadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəˈleɪniəs/

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

packedadjectiveUS /pækt/

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

preferverbUS /prəˈfɜːr/

like better; value more highly

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

rawhidenounUS /ˈrɔːhaɪd/

untanned hide especially of cattle; cut in strips it is used for whips and ropes

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

receptaclenounUS /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/

An object or container used to hold or store something.

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

rougheradjectiveUS /ˈrʌfər/

comparative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

soap-box

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

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

squareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

standverbUS /stænd/

be standing; be upright

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

stiffadjectiveUS /stɪf/

not moving or operating freely

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

stifferadjectiveUS /ˈstɪfər/

comparative of “stiff” — not moving or operating freely

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The kyacks or alforjas just mentioned are made either of heavy canvas, or of rawhide shaped square and dried over boxes.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

topnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

transportationnounUS /ˌtrænspərˈteɪʃən/

a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods

From this reading I prefer the canvas, for the reason that they can be folded and packed for railroad transportation.

trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/

(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee

From this reading After drying, the boxes are removed, leaving the stiff rawhide like small trunks open at the top.

usagenounUS /ˈjuːsədʒ/

the act of using

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It cannot be denied that the rawhide will stand rougher usage.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If a stiffer receptacle is wanted for miscellaneous loose small articles, you can insert a soap-box inside the canvas.

Chapter 2 of The Mountains by Stewart Edward White holds 186 sentences, grouped into 38 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 2 of The Mountains contain?

Chapter 2 holds 186 sentences of The Mountains, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Mountains by Stewart Edward White exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 186 sentences, grouped into 38 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 2 of The Mountains?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Mountains

Common questions about reading The Mountains by Stewart Edward White on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Mountains?

Yes. All 3026 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #465 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Mountains is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #465, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Mountains take to read?

About 252 minutes of reading across 606 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Mountains section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of The Mountains 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 Mountains

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

Blazed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mountains; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Trail
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mountains; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Silent
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mountains; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Places
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mountains; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.