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Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight
Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is here in full — 196 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.
"I don't believe so, as yet.
They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.
We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."
"Have you made any plan about capturing them?"
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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 Swift and His Great Searchlight

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is here in full — 196 sentences across 40 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.
Line 2
"I don't believe so, as yet.
Line 3
They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.
Line 4
We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."
/wiː kæn suːn tel ˌhaʊˈevər ɪf ðeɪ ɑːr əˈwer ðæt wiː ɑːr ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ ðem/
Line 5
"Have you made any plan about capturing them?"
/hæv juː meɪd ˈeni plæn əˈbaʊt ˈkæptʃərɪŋ ðem/

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.

capture verb US /ˈkæptʃər/

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading “THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.”

capturing verb US /ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/

-ing form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading “"Have you made any plan about capturing them?"”

conclusion noun US /kənˈkluːʒən/

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading “THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.”

glasses noun US /ˈɡlæsəz/

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading “They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.”

inventor noun US /ˌɪnˈventər/

someone who is the first to think of or make something

From this reading “THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.”

motor noun US /ˈmoʊtər/

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading “THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.”

pick verb US /pɪk/

select carefully from a group

From this reading “They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.”

powerful adjective US /ˈpaʊərfəl/

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading “They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.”

All words in this reading · 56

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Have you made any plan about capturing them?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Have you made any plan about capturing them?"

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "I don't believe so, as yet.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

can't

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

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

CAPTUREverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

capturingverbUS /ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/

-ing form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading "Have you made any plan about capturing them?"

CONCLUSIONnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

don't

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

From this reading "I don't believe so, as yet.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I don't believe so, as yet.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/

someone who is the first to think of or make something

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "Have you made any plan about capturing them?"

motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

pickverbUS /pɪk/

select carefully from a group

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading "Have you made any plan about capturing them?"

powerfuladjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərfəl/

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I don't believe so, as yet.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading We can soon tell however, if they are aware that we are following them."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They can't hear us, and, unless they have pretty powerful glasses, they can't pick us up.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

Whitford

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

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading "I don't believe so, as yet.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION "Do you think they know we are here, Tom?" asked Mr. Whitford, as he stood at the side of the young inventor in the motor room.

Chapter 24 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight by Victor Appleton holds 196 sentences, grouped into 40 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.

What does chapter 24 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight contain?

Chapter 24 holds 196 sentences of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight, unabridged, divided into 40 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 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 196 sentences, grouped into 40 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 24 of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight?

Work through the 40 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 40 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 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 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 Swift and His Great Searchlight

Common questions about reading Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight by Victor Appleton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight?

Yes. All 3120 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4635 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4635, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight take to read?

About 260 minutes of reading across 624 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight section by section

How to work through Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight 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 Swift and His Great Searchlight

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swift
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Newton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Giant
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Trying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Great Searchlight; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.