Tom Swift and His Wireless Message

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Victor Appleton • Curated US English Learning Edition

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A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.

Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

It seemed impossible for the WHIZZER to travel any faster, yet when Tom glanced at the speed gage he noted, with a feeling of surprise, akin to horror, that they were making close to one hundred and fifty miles an hour.

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Chapter XI Reading 1/30

Tom Swift and His Wireless Message Victor Appleton

Chapter XI

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other. Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same. Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark. Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale. It seemed impossible for the WHIZZER to travel any faster, yet when Tom glanced at the speed gage he noted, with a feeling of surprise, akin to horror, that they were making close to one hundred and fifty miles an hour.

Tom Swift and His Wireless Message

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message is here in full — 150 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

/ə ˈdaʊnwərd ɡlaɪd ðeɪ sæt ɪn ðə ˈkæbən ʌv ðə ˈerʃɪp ˈsterɪŋ ˈhelpləsli æt iːtʃ ˈʌðər/

Line 2

Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

Line 3

Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.

/əˈkeɪʒənəli ˈmɪstər ˈdeɪmən ˈʌtərd ə rɪˈmɑːrk/

Line 4

Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

/ðen ðer wɑːz ˈsaɪ.ləns ˈbroʊkən ˈoʊnli baɪ ðə haʊl ʌv ðə ɡeɪl/

Line 5

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.

airship noun US /ˈerʃɪp/

a steerable self-propelled aircraft

From this reading “A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.”

akin adjective US /əˈkɪn/

similar in quality or character

From this reading “It seemed impossible for the WHIZZER to travel any faster, yet when Tom glanced at the speed gage he noted, with a feeling of surprise, akin to horror, that they were making close to one hundred and fifty miles an hour.”

Damon noun US /ˈdeɪmən/

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

From this reading “Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.”

gage noun US /ɡeɪdʒ/

street names for marijuana

glide verb US /ɡlaɪd/

move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading “A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.”

helplessly adverb US /ˈhelpləsli/

in a helpless manner

From this reading “A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.”

howl verb US /haʊl/

emit long loud cries

From this reading “Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.”

machines noun US /məˈʃiːnz/

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading “Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

airshipnounUS /ˈerʃɪp/

a steerable self-propelled aircraft

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

akinadjectiveUS /əˈkɪn/

similar in quality or character

From this reading It seemed impossible for the WHIZZER to travel any faster, yet when Tom glanced at the speed gage he noted, with a feeling of surprise, akin to horror, that they were making close to one hundred and fifty miles an hour.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

attendverbUS /əˈtend/

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

cabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

DamonnounUS /ˈdeɪmən/

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

From this reading Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

DOWNWARDadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/

more quickly

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

Fenwick

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

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

gagenounUS /ɡeɪdʒ/

street names for marijuana

galenounUS /ɡeɪl/

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

glancedverbUS /ɡlænst/

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

GLIDEverbUS /ɡlaɪd/

move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/

in a helpless manner

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

horrornounUS /ˈhɔːrər/

intense and profound fear

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

howlverbUS /haʊl/

emit long loud cries

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

OccasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

remarknounUS /rɪˈmɑːrk/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

speedverbUS /spiːd/

move hurridly

staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading A DOWNWARD GLIDE They sat in the cabin of the airship, staring helplessly at each other.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

TomnounUS /tɑːm/

male cat

From this reading Occasionally Tom rose to attend to one of the machines, or Mr. Fenwick did the same.

travelverbUS /ˈtrævəl/

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

utteredadjectiveUS /ˈʌtərd/

communicated in words

From this reading Occasionally, Mr. Damon uttered a remark.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then there was silence, broken only by the howl of the gale.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

WHIZZER

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

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

Chapter 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message by Victor Appleton holds 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message contain?

Chapter 11 holds 150 sentences of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message by Victor Appleton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 150 sentences, grouped into 30 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 11 of Tom Swift and His Wireless Message?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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.

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Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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