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The York Problem
The York Problem

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The York Problem is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The York Problem
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.
But still there is hope for Mankind.
Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.
They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.
Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.
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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 York Problem

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The York Problem is here in full — 412 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.
Line 2
But still there is hope for Mankind.
/bʌt stɪl ðer ɪz hoʊp fɔːr ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
Line 3
Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.
Line 4
They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.
/ðeɪ spoʊk ˈkwaɪətli wɪˈθaʊt ˈtenʃən ənd ðeɪ ɔːl siːmd əˈlaɪk/
Line 5
Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

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.

Commissioner noun US /kəˈmɪʃənər/

a government administrator

From this reading “Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.”

Correction noun US /kərˈekʃən/

the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right

From this reading “Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.”

diplomacy noun US /dɪˈploʊməsi/

negotiation between nations

From this reading “_Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.”

prescribed adjective US /priˈskraɪbd/

set down as a rule or guide

From this reading “Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.”

Prevention noun US /priˈvenʃən/

the act of preventing

From this reading “Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.”

summed verb US /sʌmd/

inflected form of “sum” — be a summary of

From this reading “Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.”

tension noun US /ˈtenʃən/

(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense

From this reading “They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.”

Warfare noun US /ˈwɔːrfer/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

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.

around the table preposition + article + noun counted as “around … table”

In this reading “Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.”

All words in this reading · 62

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.

alikeadverbUS /əˈlaɪk/

equally

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

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

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

CommissionernounUS /kəˈmɪʃənər/

a government administrator

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

CorrectionnounUS /kərˈekʃən/

the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

CouncilnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəl/

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

diplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/

negotiation between nations

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

Dobu

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

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

dressedadjectiveUS /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

EarthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

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

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

failedverbUS /feɪld/

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

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

happensverbUS /ˈhæpənz/

third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

let's

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

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

MankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

Non-Conformity

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

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

peacenounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

prescribedadjectiveUS /priˈskraɪbd/

set down as a rule or guide

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

PreventionnounUS /priˈvenʃən/

the act of preventing

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/

with low volume

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

religionnounUS /rɪˈlɪdʒən/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

remainsnounUS /rɪˈmeɪnz/

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

satnounUS /sæt/

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

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

secureverbUS /sɪˈkjʊr/

get by special effort

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

summedverbUS /sʌmd/

inflected form of “sum” — be a summary of

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

tensionnounUS /ˈtenʃən/

(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading But still there is hope for Mankind.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.

WarfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Another experiment remains: change the color line--and let's see what happens...._ They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blue of their office.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They spoke quietly, without tension, and they all seemed alike.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading _Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion--have all failed to secure peace for the world.

Chapter 1 of The York Problem by Herbert D. Kastle holds 412 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 1 of The York Problem contain?

Chapter 1 holds 412 sentences of The York Problem, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The York Problem by Herbert D. Kastle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 412 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 1 of The York Problem?

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 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 York Problem

Common questions about reading The York Problem by Herbert D. Kastle on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The York Problem?

Yes. All 412 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59036 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The York Problem is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59036, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The York Problem take to read?

About 34 minutes of reading across 83 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The York Problem section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The York Problem 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 York Problem

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

Warfare
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The York Problem; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diplomacy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The York Problem; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Music
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The York Problem; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Science
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The York Problem; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.