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True Stories of History and Biography
True Stories of History and Biography

Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

Chapter 14 of True Stories of History and Biography is here in full — 79 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.
This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.
He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.
"Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.
"Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverenceno, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

True Stories of History and Biography

Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

Chapter 14 of True Stories of History and Biography is here in full — 79 sentences across 16 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.
Line 2
This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.
Line 3
He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.
/hiː wɑːz ə ˈpɜːrsən ʌv ˈvenərəbəl ˈæspekt ənd wɔːr ə lɔːŋ waɪt bɪrd/
Line 4
"Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.
Line 5
"Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverenceno, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

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.

alphabet noun US /ˈælfəbet/

a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language

From this reading “This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.”

bequeathed verb US /bəˈkwiːθt/

past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death

From this reading “"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.”

Cheever noun US /ˈtʃiːvər/

United States writer of novels and short stories (1912-1982)

From this reading “"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.”

Ezekiel noun US /ˈezɪkiːl/

a Hebrew prophet of the 6th century BC who was exiled to Babylon in 587 BC

From this reading “"At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.”

governors noun US /ˈɡʌvərnərz/

plural of “governor” — the head of a state government

From this reading “"Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.”

grandfathers noun US /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading “This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.”

Massachusetts noun US /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/

a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading “"Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.”

venerable adjective US /ˈvenərəbəl/

impressive by reason of age

From this reading “He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.”

All words in this reading · 84

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.

1637

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

alphabetnounUS /ˈælfəbet/

a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading "Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.

aspectnounUS /ˈæspekt/

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

beardnounUS /bɪrd/

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

bequeathedverbUS /bəˈkwiːθt/

past form of “bequeath” — leave or give by will after one's death

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

BostonnounUS /ˈbɑːstən/

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

Charley

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

From this reading "Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.

CheevernounUS /ˈtʃiːvər/

United States writer of novels and short stories (1912-1982)

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

EzekielnounUS /ˈezɪkiːl/

a Hebrew prophet of the 6th century BC who was exiled to Babylon in 587 BC

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/

a man of refinement

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

governorsnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnərz/

plural of “governor” — the head of a state government

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

GrandfathernounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/

the father of your father or mother

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

grandfathersnounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

MassachusettsnounUS /ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts/

a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

MasternounUS /ˈmæstər/

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/

a human being

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

Phips

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading "Was the chair placed in his school?" asked Charley.

proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/

regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

safelyadverbUS /ˈseɪfli/

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

satnounUS /sæt/

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

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

schoolnounUS /skuːl/

an educational institution

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

school-master

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

taughtverbUS /tɔːt/

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/

the profession of a teacher

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/

impressive by reason of age

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

whompronounUS /huːm/

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

From this reading This old gentleman came from London in 1637, and had been teaching school ever since; so that there were now aged men, grandfathers like myself, to whom Master Cheever had taught their alphabet.

William

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

From this reading "At the death of Sir William Phips," proceeded Grandfather, "our chair was bequeathed to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, a famous school-master in Boston.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

woreverbUS /wɔːr/

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading He was a person of venerable aspect, and wore a long white beard.

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, in his school," answered Grandfather; "and we may safely say that it had never before been regarded with such awful reverence—no, not even when the old governors of Massachusetts sat in it.

Chapter 14 of True Stories of History and Biography by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds 79 sentences, grouped into 16 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 14 of True Stories of History and Biography contain?

Chapter 14 holds 79 sentences of True Stories of History and Biography, unabridged, divided into 16 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of True Stories of History and Biography by Nathaniel Hawthorne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 79 sentences, grouped into 16 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 14 of True Stories of History and Biography?

Work through the 16 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 16 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 True Stories of History and Biography

Common questions about reading True Stories of History and Biography by Nathaniel Hawthorne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of True Stories of History and Biography?

Yes. All 3836 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #15697 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of True Stories of History and Biography is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #15697, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does True Stories of History and Biography take to read?

About 319 minutes of reading across 768 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through True Stories of History and Biography section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in True Stories of History and Biography

Words and structures a reader meets early in True Stories of History and Biography, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Grandfather
A word that appears in the opening chapter of True Stories of History and Biography; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sitting
A word that appears in the opening chapter of True Stories of History and Biography; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arm-chair
A word that appears in the opening chapter of True Stories of History and Biography; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pleasant
A word that appears in the opening chapter of True Stories of History and Biography; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.