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Tom Slade's Double Dare
Tom Slade's Double Dare

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Tom Slade's Double Dare is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tom Slade's Double Dare
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.
Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.
The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.
But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.
And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.
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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.

Tom Slade's Double Dare

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Tom Slade's Double Dare is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.
/ɪf ɪt wɜːr nɑːt fɔːr ðə ˈveri rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl pɑːrt pleɪd baɪ ðə skaʊts ɪn ðɪs streɪndʒ ˈbɪznəs pərˈhæps ɪt wʊd hæv bɪn dʒʌst æz wel ɪf ðə hoʊl ˈmætər hæd bɪn əˈlaʊd tuː daɪ wen ðə ˈnuːzpeɪpər ɪkˈsaɪtmənt səbˈsaɪdɪd/
Line 2
Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.
/ˈsɪŋɡjələrli ɪˈnʌf ðæt pɑːrt ʌv ðə ˈkjʊriəs ˈdrɑːmə wɪtʃ ənˈfoʊldɪd ˌɪtˈself æt ˈtempəl kæmp ɪz ðə ˈveri pɑːrt wɪtʃ wɑːz ˈnevər məˈtɪriəl fɔːr ˈɡlerɪŋ ˈhedlaɪnz/
Line 3
The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.
/ðə meɪn əˈkɜːrəns ɪz fəˈmɪljər ɪˈnʌf tuː ðə ɪnˈhæbətənts ʌv ðə ˈneɪbərhʊd əˈbaʊt ðə skaʊt kæmp bʌt ðə ˈsiːkwəl hæz ˈnevər bɪn toʊld fɔːr skaʊts duː nɑːt siːk ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti ənd ðə ˈkwaɪət ˈwʊdlænd kəˈmjuːnəti ɪn ɪts sɪˈkwestərd hɪlz ɪz æz rɪˈmoʊt frʌm ðə ˈtɜːrmɔɪl ənd ˈɡɑːsəp ʌv ðə wɜːrld æz ɪf ɪt wɜːr ˈloʊkeɪtəd æt ðə nɔːrθ poʊl/
Line 4
But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.
Line 5
And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

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.

Goliath noun US /ɡəˈlaɪəθ/

(Old Testament) a giant Philistine warrior who was slain by David with a slingshot

From this reading “But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.”

headlines noun US /ˈhedlaɪnz/

plural of “headline” — the heading or caption of a newspaper article

From this reading “Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.”

located adjective US /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading “The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.”

notoriety noun US /ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti/

the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality

From this reading “The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.”

scouts noun US /skaʊts/

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.”

sequel noun US /ˈsiːkwəl/

something that follows something else

From this reading “The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.”

sequestered adjective US /sɪˈkwestərd/

providing privacy or seclusion

From this reading “The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.”

yarn noun US /jɑːrn/

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading “And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

AaronnounUS /ˈerən/

United States professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934)

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

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 But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

CampnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

camp-fire

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

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/

a group of people living in a particular local area

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

curiousadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

dieverbUS /daɪ/

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

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

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

glaringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlerɪŋ/

shining intensely

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

GoliathnounUS /ɡəˈlaɪəθ/

(Old Testament) a giant Philistine warrior who was slain by David with a slingshot

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

Harlowe

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

headlinesnounUS /ˈhedlaɪnz/

plural of “headline” — the heading or caption of a newspaper article

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

inhabitantsnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənts/

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/

most important element

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

materialadjectiveUS /məˈtɪriəl/

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

newspapernounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpər/

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

notorietynounUS /ˌnoʊtərˈaɪəti/

the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/

an event that happens

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/

(of games) engaged in

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

PolenounUS /poʊl/

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

remarkableadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/

unusual or striking

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/

located far away spatially

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

scoutnounUS /skaʊt/

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

sequelnounUS /ˈsiːkwəl/

something that follows something else

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

sequesteredadjectiveUS /sɪˈkwestərd/

providing privacy or seclusion

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

SingularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/

in a singular manner or to a singular degree

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

Slade

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

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 But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/

past form of “subside” — wear off or die down

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

TemplenounUS /ˈtempəl/

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading But I know the story of Aaron Harlowe from beginning to end, and the part that Tom Slade played in it, and all the latter history of Goliath, as they called him.

turmoilnounUS /ˈtɜːrmɔɪl/

a violent disturbance

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

unfoldedverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/

past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Singularly enough, that part of the curious drama which unfolded itself at Temple Camp is the very part which was never material for glaring headlines.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/

land that is covered with trees and shrubs

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The main occurrence is familiar enough to the inhabitants of the neighborhood about the scout camp, but the sequel has never been told, for scouts do not seek notoriety, and the quiet woodland community in its sequestered hills is as remote from the turmoil and gossip of the world as if it were located at the North Pole.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If it were not for the very remarkable part played by the scouts in this strange business, perhaps it would have been just as well if the whole matter had been allowed to die when the newspaper excitement subsided.

yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And I purpose to set all these matters down for your entertainment, for I think that first and last they make a pretty good camp-fire yarn.

Chapter 1 of Tom Slade's Double Dare by Percy Keese Fitzhugh holds 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 Tom Slade's Double Dare contain?

Chapter 1 holds 100 sentences of Tom Slade's Double Dare, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Tom Slade's Double Dare by Percy Keese Fitzhugh exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 Tom Slade's Double Dare?

Work through the 20 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 20 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 Tom Slade's Double Dare

Common questions about reading Tom Slade's Double Dare by Percy Keese Fitzhugh on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tom Slade's Double Dare?

Yes. All 2785 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19590 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tom Slade's Double Dare is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #19590, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tom Slade's Double Dare take to read?

About 232 minutes of reading across 557 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tom Slade's Double Dare section by section

How to work through Tom Slade's Double Dare section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of Tom Slade's Double Dare 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 Tom Slade's Double Dare

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Slade's Double Dare, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Remarkable
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Slade's Double Dare; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Played
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Slade's Double Dare; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scouts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Slade's Double Dare; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Strange
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Slade's Double Dare; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.