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The Runaway Asteroid
The Runaway Asteroid

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Runaway Asteroid is here in full — 390 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Runaway Asteroid
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.
At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.
Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.
* * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.
Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Runaway Asteroid

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The Runaway Asteroid is here in full — 390 sentences across 78 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.
Line 2
At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.
Line 3
Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.
/lɔːntʃ wɑːz plænd fɔːr faɪv deɪz ˈleɪtər wɪð dɪˈplɔɪmənt sɪks tuː ˈsevən deɪz ˈæftər ðæt/
Line 4
* * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.
Line 5
Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

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.

achieve verb US /əˈtʃiːv/

to gain with effort

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

deployment noun US /dɪˈplɔɪmənt/

the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

Launch verb US /lɔːntʃ/

set up or found

From this reading “Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.”

manufacture verb US /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/

put together out of artificial or natural components or parts

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

probes noun US /proʊbz/

plural of “probe” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

schedule noun US /ˈskedʒʊl/

a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

technical adjective US /ˈteknɪkəl/

of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

From this reading “Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.”

Zip verb US /zɪp/

close with a zipper

From this reading “* * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.”

All words in this reading · 66

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.

344

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

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/

to gain with effort

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

agreedadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːd/

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/

plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

deploymentnounUS /dɪˈplɔɪmənt/

the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

Dr

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/

the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

Hoshino

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

Hoshino's

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

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

Joe

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

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

LaunchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/

set up or found

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

manufactureverbUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/

put together out of artificial or natural components or parts

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

MarkverbUS /mɑːrk/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/

absolutely essential

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

Nolan

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

OnounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

others

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

probesnounUS /proʊbz/

plural of “probe” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

Richard

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

schedulenounUS /ˈskedʒʊl/

a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

screennounUS /skriːn/

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

sevennounUS /ˈsevən/

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

shoutedadjectiveUS /ˈʃaʊtɪd/

in a vehement outcry

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Launch was planned for five days later, with deployment six to seven days after that.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

StarlightnounUS /ˈstɑːrlaɪt/

the light of the stars

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

technicaladjectiveUS /ˈteknɪkəl/

of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Richard Starlight, Robert Nolan, and others had a number of technical questions for Dr. Hoshino regarding the manufacture and deployment of the probes and the time schedule necessary to achieve their goal.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “Not a moment too soon!” shouted Joe.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading At the end of the discussion it was agreed that the two companies, with others, would begin to manufacture the probes according to Stephen Hoshino’s design.

ZipverbUS /zɪp/

close with a zipper

From this reading * * * * * “O344 coming up on the screen, Zip,” announced Mark.

Chapter 9 of The Runaway Asteroid by Michael D. Cooper holds 390 sentences, grouped into 78 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 9 of The Runaway Asteroid contain?

Chapter 9 holds 390 sentences of The Runaway Asteroid, unabridged, divided into 78 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The Runaway Asteroid by Michael D. Cooper exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 390 sentences, grouped into 78 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 9 of The Runaway Asteroid?

Work through the 78 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 78 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Runaway Asteroid

Common questions about reading The Runaway Asteroid by Michael D. Cooper on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Runaway Asteroid?

Yes. All 4799 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #11583 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Runaway Asteroid is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #11583, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Runaway Asteroid take to read?

About 399 minutes of reading across 960 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Runaway Asteroid section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of The Runaway Asteroid 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 Runaway Asteroid

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

Seventh
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Runaway Asteroid; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Starlight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Runaway Asteroid; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Maneuver
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Runaway Asteroid; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Other
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Runaway Asteroid; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.