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The Vortex Blaster
The Vortex Blaster

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Vortex Blaster is here in full — 509 sentences across 102 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/101 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.
_Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.
The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.
More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.
Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.
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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 Vortex Blaster

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Vortex Blaster 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
_INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.
Line 2
_Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.
Line 3
The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.
Line 4
More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.
Line 5
Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.
/sʌtʃ æz ðə ˈɑːrmərd ˈkeɪbəl wɪˈðɪn ðə wɔːlz ʌv ə ˈwʊdən haʊs/

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.

armored adjective US /ˈɑːrmərd/

protected by armor (used of persons or things military)

From this reading “Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.”

atomic adjective US /əˈtɑːmɪk/

of or relating to or comprising atoms

From this reading “The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.”

cosmic adjective US /ˈkɑːzmɪk/

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading “The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.”

devices noun US /dɪˈvaɪsəz/

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading “_Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.”

galaxy noun US /ˈɡæləksi/

a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)

From this reading “_INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.”

introducing verb US /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

Skylark verb US /ˈskaɪlɑːrk/

play boisterously

From this reading “_Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.”

unsinkable adjective US /ənˈsɪŋkəbəl/

incapable of being sunk

From this reading “The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

armoredadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrmərd/

protected by armor (used of persons or things military)

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

atomicadjectiveUS /əˈtɑːmɪk/

of or relating to or comprising atoms

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/

direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

AuthornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

Bergenholm

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

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/

a telegram sent abroad

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

CloudverbUS /klaʊd/

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

CompleteverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

cosmicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːzmɪk/

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

DnounUS /diː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

destructionnounUS /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

etc

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

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

galaxynounUS /ˈɡæləksi/

a splendid assemblage (especially of famous people)

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

INTRODUCINGverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/

prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

Lensmannoun

someone who takes photographs professionally

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

magnet-like

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

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

MoreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

PhnounUS /ˈpiːˈeɪtʃ/

(from potential of Hydrogen) the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen-ion concentration in gram atoms per liter

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

protectverbUS /prəˈtekt/

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/

shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

SafetynounUS /ˈseɪfti/

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

sankverbUS /sæŋk/

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

SkylarkverbUS /ˈskaɪlɑːrk/

play boisterously

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

SMITHnounUS /smɪθ/

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

StormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

ThreenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

unsinkableadjectiveUS /ənˈsɪŋkəbəl/

incapable of being sunk

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

Valeron

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

From this reading _Author of "The Skylark," "Skylark Three," "The Skylark of Valeron," the Lensman stories, etc._ Safety devices that do not protect.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The "unsinkable" ships that, before the days of Bergenholm and of atomic and cosmic energy, sank into the waters of the earth.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading _INTRODUCING "Storm" Cloud, who, through tragedy, is destined to become the most noted figure in the galaxy--THE_ (_Complete in this issue!_) by E. E. SMITH, Ph.D.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading Such as the armored cable within the walls of a wooden house.

worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading More particularly, safety devices which, while protecting against one agent of destruction, attract magnet-like another and worse.

Chapter 1 of The Vortex Blaster by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith 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 1 of The Vortex Blaster contain?

Chapter 1 holds 509 sentences of The Vortex Blaster, unabridged, divided into 102 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Vortex Blaster by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith 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 1 of The Vortex Blaster?

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 Vortex Blaster

Common questions about reading The Vortex Blaster by E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Vortex Blaster?

Yes. All 509 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22629 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Vortex Blaster is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22629, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Vortex Blaster take to read?

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

How to read The Vortex Blaster section by section

How to work through The Vortex Blaster section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Vortex Blaster 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 Vortex Blaster

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

Introducing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vortex Blaster; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Storm
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vortex Blaster; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cloud
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vortex Blaster; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Through
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vortex Blaster; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.