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Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders is here in full — 100 sentences across 20 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Victor Appleton • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

"Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

"What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

"Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

Narrator

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.

Chapter XX Reading 1/20

Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders

Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Chapter 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders 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

AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

Line 2

Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

Line 3

"Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

Line 4

"What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

Line 5

"Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

All words in this reading · 59

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.

afraid

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

From this reading "Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

almost

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

AN

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

and

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

are

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

From this reading "Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

arrows

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

asked

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

at

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

be

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

blow

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

bundle

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

could

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

covering

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

darts

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

did

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

Fascinated

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

gazed

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

gazing

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

get

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

gun

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

held

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

in

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

Indian

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

is

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

From this reading "What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

it

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

LEGEND

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

matter

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

From this reading "What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

Ned

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

of

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

From this reading "Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

oiled

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

OLD

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

on

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

or

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

out

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

outside

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

package

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

pointing

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

poisoned

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

From this reading "Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?

seen

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

Senor

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

From this reading "What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

silk

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

small

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

sternly

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

Tal

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

that

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

the

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

them

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

through

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

to

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

Tom

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

transparent

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

turn

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

From this reading "What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

Undoubtedly

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

used

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

was

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

From this reading Undoubtedly it was oiled silk on the outside, and through the almost transparent covering could be seen the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.

What

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

From this reading "What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.

Where

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

woman

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

From this reading AN OLD LEGEND Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package the Indian woman held out to them.

you

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

From this reading "Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.

Chapter 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders 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 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders contain?

Chapter 20 holds 100 sentences of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders, unabridged, divided into 20 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders 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 20 of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders?

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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 in the Land of Wonders

Common questions about reading Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders by Victor Appleton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders?

Yes. All 2964 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #499 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #499, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders take to read?

About 247 minutes of reading across 593 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders section by section

How to work through Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 25 chapters of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Swift: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Slowly: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Looking: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Through: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.