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The sentinel stars
The sentinel stars

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The sentinel stars is here in full — 415 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The sentinel stars
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.
"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"
"Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.
"_If_ it was inevitable."
"An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.
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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 sentinel stars

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The sentinel stars is here in full — 415 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.
Line 2
"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"
Line 3
"Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.
Line 4
"_If_ it was inevitable."
/ɪf ɪt wɑːz ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
Line 5
"An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.
/æn ˈeksələnt pɔɪnt ðə ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər sed ˈwɔːrmli/

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.

centuries noun US /ˈsentʃəriz/

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

culmination noun US /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/

a final climactic stage

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

inevitable adjective US /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

Investigator noun US /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər/

a scientist who devotes himself to doing research

From this reading “"Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.”

Merger noun US /ˈmɜːrdʒər/

the combination of two or more commercial companies

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

Organization noun US /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/

a group of people who work together

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

student noun US /ˈstuːdənt/

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading “"But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"”

warmly adverb US /ˈwɔːrmli/

in a hearty manner

From this reading “"An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.”

All words in this reading · 43

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.

247

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

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

culminationnounUS /ˌkʌlməˈneɪʃən/

a final climactic stage

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

doesn't

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

From this reading "Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.

excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading "An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.

exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

Hendley

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

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

InvestigatornounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər/

a scientist who devotes himself to doing research

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.

MergernounUS /ˈmɜːrdʒər/

the combination of two or more commercial companies

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

OrganizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/

a group of people who work together

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading "An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.

progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

realizeverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Inevitable doesn't mean good," Hendley said.

socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/

relating to human society and its members

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

SplendidadjectiveUS /ˈsplendɪd/

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

surelyadverbUS /ˈʃʊrli/

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

testnounUS /test/

trying something to find out about it

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "Splendid!" the Investigator exclaimed, as if Hendley had passed some kind of a test.

TRHnoun

hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

warmlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːrmli/

in a hearty manner

From this reading "An excellent point," the Investigator said warmly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "But surely, as a student of history, TRH-247, you must realize that the Merger was inevitable, that it is the culmination of centuries of social progress under the Organization?"

Chapter 4 of The sentinel stars by Louis Charbonneau holds 415 sentences, grouped into 83 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 4 of The sentinel stars contain?

Chapter 4 holds 415 sentences of The sentinel stars, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The sentinel stars by Louis Charbonneau exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 415 sentences, grouped into 83 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 4 of The sentinel stars?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 sentinel stars

Common questions about reading The sentinel stars by Louis Charbonneau on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The sentinel stars?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The sentinel stars is used?

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

How long does The sentinel stars take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The sentinel stars section by section

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Vocabulary met early in The sentinel stars

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

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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