The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

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 III Reading 1/34

The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A TIP BY WIRELESS So elated was Willie at the prospect of taking a further part in the wool smuggling case that he forgot his tattered appearance until he reached the _Lycoming’s_ pier and attempted to enter it. Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?” At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily. But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough. He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. is here in full — 172 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Line 2

Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

/ðen hiː wɑːz brɔːt ʌp ʃɑːrp baɪ ðə kɜːrt ˈkwiːri ʌv ðə ˈwɑːtʃmən wʌt duː juː wɑːnt/

Line 3

At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

Line 4

But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

/bʌt wen hiː rɪˈmembərd əˈbaʊt hɪz ˈræɡəd koʊt ənd tɔːrn kæp hiː ˌʌndərˈstʊd ˈredəli ɪˈnʌf/

Line 5

He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

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.

curt adjective US /kɜːrt/

marked by rude or peremptory shortness

From this reading “Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?””

elated adjective US /ɪˈleɪtəd/

exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits

From this reading “A TIP BY WIRELESS So elated was Willie at the prospect of taking a further part in the wool smuggling case that he forgot his tattered appearance until he reached the _Lycoming’s_ pier and attempted to enter it.”

query noun US /ˈkwiːri/

an instance of questioning

From this reading “Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?””

smuggling noun US /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/

secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due

stripping noun US /ˈstrɪpɪŋ/

the removal of covering

From this reading “He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.”

tattered adjective US /ˈtætərd/

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

watchman noun US /ˈwɑːtʃmən/

a guard who keeps watch

From this reading “Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?””

wireless noun US /ˈwaɪrlɪs/

medium for communication

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.

ragged coat adjective + noun

In this reading “But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.”

comprehend why verb + noun

In this reading “At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.”

brought up verb + adjective counted as “bring up”

summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic

In this reading “Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?””

at the prospect preposition + article + noun counted as “at … prospect”

In this reading “A TIP BY WIRELESS So elated was Willie at the prospect of taking a further part in the wool smuggling case that he forgot his tattered appearance until he reached the _Lycoming’s_ pier and attempted to enter it.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 A TIP BY WIRELESS So elated was Willie at the prospect of taking a further part in the wool smuggling case that he forgot his tattered appearance until he reached the _Lycoming’s_ pier and attempted to enter it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/

tried unsuccessfully

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

capnounUS /kæp/

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

casenounUS /keɪs/

an occurrence of something

coatnounUS /koʊt/

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/

get the meaning of something

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

curtadjectiveUS /kɜːrt/

marked by rude or peremptory shortness

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

didn't

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

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

elatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/

exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

enterverbUS /ˈentər/

to come or go into

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

Lycoming's

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

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

peremptorilyadverb

in an imperative and commanding manner

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

piernounUS /pɪr/

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/

the possibility of future success

querynounUS /ˈkwiːri/

an instance of questioning

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

readilyadverbUS /ˈredəli/

without much difficulty

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

smugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/

secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

strippingnounUS /ˈstrɪpɪŋ/

the removal of covering

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

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

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

TIPnounUS /tɪp/

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

tornadjectiveUS /tɔːrn/

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

watchmannounUS /ˈwɑːtʃmən/

a guard who keeps watch

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But when he remembered about his ragged coat and torn cap he understood readily enough.

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading At first Willie did not comprehend why he was halted so peremptorily.

Willie

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

WIRELESSnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/

medium for communication

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading He laughed, and stripping off his coat and cap, said: “No wonder you didn’t know me.

woolnounUS /wʊl/

a fabric made from the hair of sheep

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then he was brought up sharp by the curt query of the watchman: “What do you want?”

Chapter 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. by Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss holds 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. contain?

Chapter 3 holds 172 sentences of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S., unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. by Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 172 sentences, grouped into 35 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 3 of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.

Common questions about reading The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. by Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.?

Yes. All 5188 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #62885 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #62885, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 432 minutes of reading across 1038 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S., each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Brady: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Story: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pages: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter III

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Vocabulary met early in The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S.