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Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone
Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.
"I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.
"That is enough.
Now you listen.
I want you to send me those papers."
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone 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
THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.
Line 2
"I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.
Line 3
"That is enough.
/ðæt ɪz ɪˈnʌf/
Line 4
Now you listen.
/naʊ juː ˈlɪsən/
Line 5
I want you to send me those papers."
/aɪ wɑːnt juː tuː send miː ðoʊz ˈpeɪpərz/

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.

auxiliary adjective US /ɑːɡˈzɪljəri/

functioning in a supporting capacity

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

Damon noun US /ˈdeɪmən/

the friend of Phintias who pledged his life that Phintias would return (4th century BC)

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

dictating verb US /ˈdɪkteɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “dictate” — issue commands or orders for

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

exclamation noun US /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

impatience noun US /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

Newton noun US /ˈnuːtən/

English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

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 ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

utter verb US /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading “THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.”

All words in this reading · 45

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.

afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

auxiliaryadjectiveUS /ɑːɡˈzɪljəri/

functioning in a supporting capacity

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

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

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

can't

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

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

DamonnounUS /ˈdeɪmən/

the friend of Phintias who pledged his life that Phintias would return (4th century BC)

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

dictatingverbUS /ˈdɪkteɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “dictate” — issue commands or orders for

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

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

From this reading "That is enough.

ESCAPEnounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

I'm

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

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "That is enough.

listenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/

hear with intention

From this reading Now you listen.

listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I want you to send me those papers."

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

Ned

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

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

NewtonnounUS /ˈnuːtən/

English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now you listen.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

papersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading I want you to send me those papers."

sendverbUS /send/

cause to go somewhere

From this reading I want you to send me those papers."

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "I'm afraid I can't take down any more," he called.

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 ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That is enough.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading I want you to send me those papers."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

utterverbUS /ˈʌtər/

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I want you to send me those papers."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE ESCAPE Ned Newton, listening at the auxiliary telephone heard the man, to whom Mrs. Damon was dictating her message to her husband, utter an exclamation of impatience.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Now you listen.

Chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone by Victor Appleton holds 100 sentences, grouped into 20 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 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone contain?

Chapter 21 holds 100 sentences of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone by Victor Appleton exactly as it stands in the public-domain 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 21 of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone?

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 21 be read aloud to me?

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.

Questions about reading Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone

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

Is this the complete text of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone?

Yes. All 3297 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4532 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4532, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone take to read?

About 274 minutes of reading across 660 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone section by section

How to work through Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone 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 Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone

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

Startled
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Glances
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Other
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Father
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Photo Telephone; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.