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The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The School for Scandal is here in full — 228 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Richard Brinsley Sheridan • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The School for Scandal
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.
Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.
Character names have been expanded.
For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.
THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.
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 School for Scandal

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The School for Scandal is here in full — 228 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.
Line 2
Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.
/ˈnʌmbərɪŋ ʌv ðə ˈfʊtnoʊts hæz bɪn tʃeɪndʒd ənd iːtʃ ˈfʊtnoʊt ɪz ˈɡɪvən ə juːˈniːk aɪˈdentɪtiː ɪn ðə fɔːrm eks/
Line 3
Character names have been expanded.
/ˈkerɪktər neɪmz hæv bɪn ɪkˈspændəd/
Line 4
For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.
/fɔːr ɪɡˈzæmpəl sɜːr ˈbendʒəmən wɑːz sɜːr ben/
Line 5
THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

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.

benjamin noun US /ˈbendʒəmən/

gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation

From this reading “For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
edition noun US /əˈdɪʃən/

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading “THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expanded adjective US /ɪkˈspændəd/

increased in extent or size or bulk or scope

From this reading “Character names have been expanded.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
footnotes noun US /ˈfʊtnoʊts/

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading “Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
identity noun US /aɪˈdentɪtiː/

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading “Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Numbering noun US /ˈnʌmbərɪŋ/

a numbered list

From this reading “Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sheridan noun US /ˈʃerɪdən/

Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)

From this reading “BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unique adjective US /juːˈniːk/

radically distinctive and without equal

From this reading “Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 54

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 Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ASconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BENnounUS /ben/

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BENJAMINnounUS /ˈbendʒəmən/

gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CharacternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Character names have been expanded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
editionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ESQnoun

a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name

From this reading BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ExamplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/

increased in extent or size or bulk or scope

From this reading Character names have been expanded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
footnotenounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊt/

a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
footnotesnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Fraser

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

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Pending verification
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
generousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəs/

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Character names have been expanded.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HEpronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading Character names have been expanded.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NOWadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NumberingnounUS /ˈnʌmbərɪŋ/

a numbered list

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/

approval to do something

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PLAYSnounUS /pleɪz/

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PRINTEDverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RnounUS /ɑːr/

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Rae's

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

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Pending verification
SCANDALnounUS /ˈskændəl/

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SCHOOLnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHERIDANnounUS /ˈʃerɪdən/

Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)

From this reading BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHERIDAN'S

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

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Pending verification
SIRnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TEXTnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEMpronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
uniqueadjectiveUS /juːˈniːk/

radically distinctive and without equal

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading For Example, SIR BENJAMIN was SIR BEN.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WROTEverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading THE TEXT OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The text of THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL in this edition is taken, by Mr. Fraser Rae's generous permission, from his SHERIDAN'S PLAYS NOW PRINTED AS HE WROTE THEM.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
XnounUS /eks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form <X>.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan holds 228 sentences, grouped into 46 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 School for Scandal contain?

Chapter 1 holds 228 sentences of The School for Scandal, unabridged, divided into 46 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 228 sentences, grouped into 46 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 School for Scandal?

Work through the 46 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 46 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 School for Scandal

Common questions about reading The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The School for Scandal?

Yes. All 2255 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1929 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The School for Scandal is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1929, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The School for Scandal take to read?

About 187 minutes of reading across 451 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The School for Scandal section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of The School for Scandal to begin.

  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The School for Scandal

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

Sheridan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The School for Scandal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Numbering
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The School for Scandal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Footnotes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The School for Scandal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Changed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The School for Scandal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.