The Unlearned

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Unlearned is here in full — 509 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Raymond F. Jones • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

"I ask that you consider this most seriously, and make an official request of the Rykes to grant us such opportunity for study, that you provide the necessary appropriations for the trip.

I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

Narrator

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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.

Chapter II Reading 1/101

The Unlearned

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Unlearned is here in full — 509 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1

"I ask that you consider this most seriously, and make an official request of the Rykes to grant us such opportunity for study, that you provide the necessary appropriations for the trip.

Line 2

I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

/aɪ kənˈsɪdər ɪt moʊst ˈɜːrdʒənt ðæt ðɪs biː dʌn æt wʌns/

Line 3

There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

Line 4

Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

Line 5

He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

/hiː bɪˈliːvd hiː hæd soʊld ðem ɪn hɪz ˈteləfoʊn kɔːlz ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈɜːrli ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

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.

appropriations noun US /əˌproʊpriˈeɪʃənz/

plural of “appropriation” — money set aside (as by a legislature) for a specific purpose

From this reading “"I ask that you consider this most seriously, and make an official request of the Rykes to grant us such opportunity for study, that you provide the necessary appropriations for the trip.”

Congressional adjective US /kənˈɡreʃənəl/

of or relating to congress

From this reading “There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.”

disapproval noun US /dɪsəˈpruːvəl/

a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing

From this reading “There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.”

impassive adjective US /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/

having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

From this reading “Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.”

scientists noun US /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/

plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences

From this reading “Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.”

Senators noun US /ˈsenətərz/

plural of “senator” — a member of a senate

From this reading “Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.”

urgent adjective US /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

compelling immediate action

From this reading “I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."”

whispers noun US /ˈwɪspərz/

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading “Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.”

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.

early morning adjective + noun

In this reading “He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.”

most urgent adverb + adjective

In this reading “I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."”

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."”

remained quiet verb + adjective counted as “remain quiet”

In this reading “Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "I ask that you consider this most seriously, and make an official request of the Rykes to grant us such opportunity for study, that you provide the necessary appropriations for the trip.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

appropriationsnounUS /əˌproʊpriˈeɪʃənz/

plural of “appropriation” — money set aside (as by a legislature) for a specific purpose

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

believedverbUS /bɪˈliːvd/

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

callsnounUS /kɔːlz/

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

concernnounUS /kənˈsɜːrn/

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

CongressionaladjectiveUS /kənˈɡreʃənəl/

of or relating to congress

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/

deem to be

disapprovalnounUS /dɪsəˈpruːvəl/

a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

grantverbUS /ɡrænt/

let have

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

Hockley

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

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/

having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

leanedverbUS /liːnd/

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

membersnounUS /ˈmembərz/

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/

absolutely essential

neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/

having official authority or sanction

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/

give something useful or necessary to

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

requestverbUS /rɪˈkwest/

express the need or desire for

Rykes

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

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/

plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

SenatorsnounUS /ˈsenətərz/

plural of “senator” — a member of a senate

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/

in a serious manner

soldadjectiveUS /soʊld/

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

speakverbUS /spiːk/

express in speech

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

stirverbUS /stɜːr/

move an implement through

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He believed he had sold them in his telephone calls during the early morning.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

compelling immediate action

From this reading I consider it most urgent that this be done at once."

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was a stir of concern and disapproval from Congressional members as Hockley sat down.

whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Senators leaned to speak in whispers to their neighbors, but Hockley observed the scientists remained quiet and impassive.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

Chapter 2 of The Unlearned by Raymond F. Jones holds 509 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 2 of The Unlearned contain?

Chapter 2 holds 509 sentences of The Unlearned, unabridged, divided into 102 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Unlearned by Raymond F. Jones exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 509 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 2 of The Unlearned?

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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Unlearned

Common questions about reading The Unlearned by Raymond F. Jones on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Unlearned?

Yes. All 1031 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #32745 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Unlearned is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #32745, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Unlearned take to read?

About 85 minutes of reading across 207 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Open a chapter

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Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Unlearned

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

Sidenote: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Unlearned; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scientists: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Unlearned; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rykeman: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Unlearned; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Conceded: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Unlearned; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter II · Chapter 2

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Questions about reading The Unlearned

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