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The Thirty-Nine Steps
The Thirty-Nine Steps

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps is here in full — 239 sentences across 48 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Thirty-Nine Steps
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.
Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.
In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.
To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the souththat is, the left handthere was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.
I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.
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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 Thirty-Nine Steps

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps is here in full — 239 sentences across 48 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.
Line 2
Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.
Line 3
In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.
Line 4
To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the souththat is, the left handthere was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.
Line 5
I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

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.

Sanctuary noun US /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/

A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.

From this reading “To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.”

All words in this reading · 97

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.

a

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

Adventure

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

all

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

and

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

another

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

as

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

Behind

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

beyond

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

big

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

blue

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

bog-holes

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

boss

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

but

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

central

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

chosen

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

cleft

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

climbing

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

could

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

country

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

crest

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

dimness

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

distance

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

down

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

everything

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

fell

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

flat

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

for

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

from

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

front

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

glen

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

glimpse

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

green

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

had

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

hand

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

heathery

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

high

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

hill

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

hills

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

huge

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

I

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

in

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

into

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

is

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

it

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

knot

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

left

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

long

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

map

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

maybe

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

me

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

melted

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

mile

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

miles

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

mountains

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

moving

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

my

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

notable

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

of

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

on

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

pancakes

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

pass

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

pitted

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

plain

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

position

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

remembered

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

right

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

river

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

road

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

Roadman

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

rough

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

round-shouldered

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

sanctuarynounUS /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/

A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

sat

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

see

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

smooth

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

some

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

south

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

space

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

Spectacled

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

steeply

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

stock

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

that

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

The

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

then

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

there

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

through

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

to

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

took

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

tussocks

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

upland

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

From this reading I was on the central boss of a huge upland country, and could see everything moving for miles.

upper

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

very

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

From this reading The Adventure of the Spectacled Roadman I sat down on the very crest of the pass and took stock of my position.

was

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

were

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

From this reading To left and right were round-shouldered green hills as smooth as pancakes, but to the south—that is, the left hand—there was a glimpse of high heathery mountains, which I remembered from the map as the big knot of hill which I had chosen for my sanctuary.

which

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

From this reading Behind me was the road climbing through a long cleft in the hills, which was the upper glen of some notable river.

whose

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

with

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

From this reading In front was a flat space of maybe a mile, all pitted with bog-holes and rough with tussocks, and then beyond it the road fell steeply down another glen to a plain whose blue dimness melted into the distance.

Chapter 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan holds 239 sentences, grouped into 48 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps contain?

Chapter 6 holds 239 sentences of The Thirty-Nine Steps, unabridged, divided into 48 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 239 sentences, grouped into 48 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 6 of The Thirty-Nine Steps?

Work through the 48 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 48 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 Thirty-Nine Steps

Common questions about reading The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Thirty-Nine Steps?

Yes. All 2582 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #558 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Thirty-Nine Steps is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #558, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Thirty-Nine Steps take to read?

About 215 minutes of reading across 517 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Thirty-Nine Steps section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of The Thirty-Nine Steps 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 Thirty-Nine Steps

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Thirty-Nine Steps, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Cherished
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Thirty-Nine Steps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Affection
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Thirty-Nine Steps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Elemental
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Thirty-Nine Steps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Americans
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Thirty-Nine Steps; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.