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Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity
Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity is here in full — 51 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.
=119.
The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.
The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.
Sound itself does not pass over the line.
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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.

Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity

Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity is here in full — 51 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.
Line 2
=119.
Line 3
The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.
/ðə ˈteləfoʊn ɪz æn ˈɪnstrəmənt fɔːr ˌriːprəˈduːsɪŋ saʊndz æt ə ˈdɪstəns ənd ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti ɪz ðə ˈeɪdʒənt baɪ wɪtʃ ðɪs ɪz ˈdʒenərəli əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/
Line 4
The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.
/ðə pɑːrt ˈspoʊkən tuː ɪz kɔːld ðə trænˈsmɪtər ənd ðə pɑːrt wɪtʃ ɡɪvz saʊnd aʊt əˈɡen ɪz kɔːld ðə rəˈsiːvər/
Line 5
Sound itself does not pass over the line.
/saʊnd ˌɪtˈself dʌz nɑːt pæs ˈoʊvər ðə laɪn/

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.

agent noun US /ˈeɪdʒənt/

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

From this reading “The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
electricity noun US /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/

a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons

From this reading “The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
instrument noun US /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading “The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
receiver noun US /rəˈsiːvər/

set that receives radio or tv signals

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reproducing verb US /ˌriːprəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “reproduce” — make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading “The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
telephone noun US /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 “THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
transmits verb US /trænzˈmɪts/

third-person singular of “transmit” — transfer to another

From this reading “THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
transmitter noun US /trænˈsmɪtər/

someone who transmits a message

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

pass over verb + particle

bypass

In this reading “Sound itself does not pass over the line.”

16,585 times in 426,211 chapters
at a distance preposition + article + noun counted as “at … distance”

In this reading “The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.”

15,274 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 40

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.

119

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

From this reading =119.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accomplishedadjectiveUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/

highly skilled

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/

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

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/

a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
generallyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəli/

usually; as a rule

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HOW

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

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

Pending verification
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading Sound itself does not pass over the line.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
receivernounUS /rəˈsiːvər/

set that receives radio or tv signals

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reproducingverbUS /ˌriːprəˈduːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “reproduce” — make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SPEECHnounUS /spiːtʃ/

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spokenadjectiveUS /ˈspoʊkən/

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
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 THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TRANSMITSverbUS /trænzˈmɪts/

third-person singular of “transmit” — transfer to another

From this reading THE TELEPHONE, AND HOW IT TRANSMITS SPEECH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
transmitternounUS /trænˈsmɪtər/

someone who transmits a message

From this reading The part spoken to is called the _transmitter_, and the part which gives sound out again is called the _receiver_.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The Telephone= is an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance, and electricity is the agent by which this is generally accomplished.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity by Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John holds 51 sentences, grouped into 11 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 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity contain?

Chapter 18 holds 51 sentences of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity, unabridged, divided into 11 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity by Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 51 sentences, grouped into 11 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 18 of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity?

Work through the 11 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 11 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 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 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 Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity

Common questions about reading Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity by Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity?

Yes. All 1435 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44665 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #44665, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity take to read?

About 119 minutes of reading across 287 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity section by section

How to work through Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity

Words and structures a reader meets early in Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Https
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Characters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Enclosed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Curly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Things a Boy Should Know About Electricity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.