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The Sense of Wonder
The Sense of Wonder

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Sense of Wonder is here in full — 508 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Stephen Marlowe • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Sense of Wonder
Context Illustration Reading 1/101 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?
Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.
He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.
But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.
If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.
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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 Sense of Wonder

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Sense of Wonder is here in full — 508 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/101 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?
Line 2
Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.
Line 3
He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.
/hiː kʊd nɑːt kwaɪt ɪkˈspleɪn ðə ˈfiːlɪŋz wɪˈðɪn hɪm ðeɪ wɜːr soʊ ˈeɪliən soʊ ənˈnætʃərəl/
Line 4
But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.
Line 5
If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

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.

alien adjective US /ˈeɪliən/

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading “He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
engines noun US /ˈendʒənz/

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
remembers verb US /rɪˈmembərz/

third-person singular of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading “When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sullen adjective US /ˈsʌlən/

showing a brooding ill humor

From this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sweep verb US /swiːp/

sweep across or over

From this reading “Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
twenty-five adjective US /ˈtwentifaɪv/

being five more than twenty

From this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unnatural adjective US /ənˈnætʃərəl/

not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

From this reading “He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whining verb US /ˈwaɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “whine” — move with a whining sound

From this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

twenty-five years adjective + noun

In this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

2,722 times in 426,211 chapters
in the rear preposition + article + noun counted as “in … rear”

In this reading “But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.”

9,685 times in 426,211 chapters
sweep of verb + particle

In this reading “Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.”

5,890 times in 426,211 chapters
for a week preposition + article + noun counted as “for … week”

In this reading “Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.”

12,309 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 78

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 Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboardadverbUS /əˈbɔːrd/

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/

any person at all

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
changelessadjective

not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
earsnounUS /ɪrz/

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
else

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

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

Pending verification
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
failedverbUS /feɪld/

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feelingsnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋz/

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
how

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

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Pending verification
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
it's

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

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Pending verification
lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/

make reference to

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/

being perceived or observed

From this reading If anyone else had noticed the change, he failed to mention it.

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 Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rearnounUS /rɪr/

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
remembersverbUS /rɪˈmembərz/

third-person singular of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Rikud

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

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Pending verification
roarverbUS /rɔːr/

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
somewhereadverbUS /ˈsʌmwer/

in or at or to some place

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/

make steady

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/

showing a brooding ill humor

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sweepverbUS /swiːp/

sweep across or over

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/

being five more than twenty

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/

not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
viewport

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

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

Pending verification
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Every day for a week now, Rikud had come to the viewport to watch the great changeless sweep of space.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading When nobody aboard ship remembers where it's going, how can they tell when it has arrived?

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whiningverbUS /ˈwaɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “whine” — move with a whining sound

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He could not quite explain the feelings within him; they were so alien, so unnatural.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading But ever since the engines somewhere in the rear of the world had changed their tone, from the steady whining Rikud had heard all twenty-five years of his life, to the sullen roar that came to his ears now, the feelings had grown.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Sense of Wonder by Stephen Marlowe holds 508 sentences, grouped into 102 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 Sense of Wonder contain?

Chapter 1 holds 508 sentences of The Sense of Wonder, unabridged, divided into 102 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Sense of Wonder by Stephen Marlowe exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 508 sentences, grouped into 102 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 Sense of Wonder?

Work through the 102 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 102 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 Sense of Wonder

Common questions about reading The Sense of Wonder by Stephen Marlowe on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Sense of Wonder?

Yes. All 508 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51296 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Sense of Wonder is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #51296, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Sense of Wonder take to read?

About 42 minutes of reading across 102 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Sense of Wonder section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Sense of Wonder 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 Sense of Wonder

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

Nobody
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sense of Wonder; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Aboard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sense of Wonder; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Remembers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sense of Wonder; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Where
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sense of Wonder; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.