Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter XXI
Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden. "I'm after you again." "So I see." remarked our hero. "But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut! Tut!
Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is here in full — 102 sentences across 21 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading “"So I see." remarked our hero.”
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
utter “tsk,” “tut,” or “tut-tut,” as in disapproval
From this reading “"But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut!”
lacking dignity
From this reading “HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.”
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.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut!
later than; following
From this reading "I'm after you again."
anew
From this reading "I'm after you again."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading "So I see." remarked our hero.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm after you again."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
a form of address for a man
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
throughout a period of time
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "So I see." remarked our hero.
an amount of time
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
on the contrary
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "So I see." remarked our hero.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
done under pressure
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So I see." remarked our hero.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
male cat
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
utter “tsk,” “tut,” or “tut-tut,” as in disapproval
From this reading "But I'm afraid I can't--" "Tut!
lacking dignity
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
(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 HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading HOVERING O'ER THE BORDER "Well, Tom, you see I couldn't get along without you," exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom's hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.
Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight by Victor Appleton holds 102 sentences, grouped into 21 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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.
Chapter 21 holds 102 sentences of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight, unabridged, divided into 21 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight by Victor Appleton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 102 sentences, grouped into 21 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.
Work through the 21 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 21 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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.
Common questions about reading Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight by Victor Appleton on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3120 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4635 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #4635, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 260 minutes of reading across 624 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 24 chapters of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
