Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Victor Appleton • Curated US English Learning Edition

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"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, "but as for anything special--" "I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted Mr. Berg.

"I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

His name was--let me see.

I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

"Foger!" cried Tom.

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Chapter IV Reading 1/41

Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, "but as for anything special--" "I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted Mr. Berg.

Line 2

"I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

Line 3

His name was--let me see.

Line 4

I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

Line 5

"Foger!" cried Tom.

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.

accompany verb US /əˈkʌmpəni/

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading “"I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.”

auto noun US /ˈɔːtoʊ/

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading “"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, "but as for anything special--" "I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted Mr. Berg.”

Berg noun US /bɜːrɡ/

a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier

special adjective US /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

stopping noun US /ˈstɑːpɪŋ/

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading “"I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.”

trip noun US /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

unexpectedly adverb US /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/

in a way that was not expected

From this reading “"I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.”

wretched adjective US /ˈretʃɪd/

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading “I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."”

All words in this reading · 67

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 "Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, "but as for anything special--" "I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted Mr. Berg.

accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

autonounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

BergnounUS /bɜːrɡ/

a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier

busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/

actively or fully engaged or occupied

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "Foger!" cried Tom.

don't

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

Foger

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

From this reading "Foger!" cried Tom.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading His name was--let me see.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

interruptedadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈʌptɪd/

discontinued temporarily

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

ladnounUS /læd/

a boy or man

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading His name was--let me see.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

Moger

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

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading His name was--let me see.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

Roger

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

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading His name was--let me see.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

stoppingnounUS /ˈstɑːpɪŋ/

fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading "Foger!" cried Tom.

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/

in a way that was not expected

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His name was--let me see.

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”)

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

wretchedadjectiveUS /ˈretʃɪd/

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading I have a wretched memory for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger."

you'd

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

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone.

Chapter 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat by Victor Appleton holds 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat contain?

Chapter 4 holds 209 sentences of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat by Victor Appleton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 4 of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Submarine Boat

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Yes. All 2974 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #949 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #949, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 247 minutes of reading across 595 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat

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

Under: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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