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Vacation with the Tucker Twins
Vacation with the Tucker Twins

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Vacation with the Tucker Twins
Context Illustration Reading 16/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Do I look crazy?
When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.
I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.
I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.
Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Vacation with the Tucker Twins

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins is here in full — 131 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 16/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 76–80

Line 1
Do I look crazy?
/duː aɪ lʊk ˈkreɪzi/
Line 2
When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.
/wen aɪ bɪldz aɪ bɪldz ə haʊs wɪð ə ˈpɑːrlər ənd naɪs taɪt ˈbedruːmz/
Line 3
I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.
Line 4
I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.
Line 5
Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

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.

bedrooms noun US /ˈbedruːmz/

plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading “When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.”

builder noun US /ˈbɪldər/

a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action

From this reading “I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.”

builds noun US /bɪldz/

plural of “build” — constitution of the human body

From this reading “When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.”

owns verb US /oʊnz/

third-person singular of “own” — have ownership or possession of

From this reading “I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.”

parlors noun US /ˈpɑːrlərz/

plural of “parlor” — reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading “Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!”

porches noun US /ˈpɔːrtʃəz/

plural of “porch” — a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading “I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.”

snares noun US /snerz/

plural of “snare” — something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares

From this reading “I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.”

tramps noun US /træmpz/

plural of “tramp” — a vagrant

From this reading “Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

in spite preposition + noun

In this reading “I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.”

Rich folks adjective + noun

In this reading “Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!”

builds a house verb + article + noun counted as “build … house”

In this reading “When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.”

in the parlors preposition + article + noun counted as “in … parlor”

In this reading “Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!”

got the money verb + article + noun counted as “get … money”

In this reading “Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!”

All words in this reading · 87

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 When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

ain't

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

BeachnounUS /biːtʃ/

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

bedroomsnounUS /ˈbedruːmz/

plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

bein

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

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

buildernounUS /ˈbɪldər/

a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

buildsnounUS /bɪldz/

plural of “build” — constitution of the human body

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

can't

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

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

contentnounUS /ˈkɑːntent/

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

crazyadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/

affected with madness or insanity

From this reading Do I look crazy?

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do I look crazy?

don't

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

fer

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

gitnounUS /ɡɪt/

a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

homesnounUS /hoʊmz/

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Do I look crazy?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

Injuns

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/

moving slowly and gently

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Do I look crazy?

looksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

niceadjectiveUS /naɪs/

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

nothin

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

ownsverbUS /oʊnz/

third-person singular of “own” — have ownership or possession of

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

parlorsnounUS /ˈpɑːrlərz/

plural of “parlor” — reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

porchesnounUS /ˈpɔːrtʃəz/

plural of “porch” — a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/

possessing material wealth

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

rocknounUS /rɑːk/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

seednounUS /siːd/

a small hard fruit

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

sleepnounUS /sliːp/

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

sleepin

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

snaresnounUS /snerz/

plural of “snare” — something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

somehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

spitenounUS /spaɪt/

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/

plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

that's

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

theyselves

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/

closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

til

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

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

trampsnounUS /træmpz/

plural of “tramp” — a vagrant

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/

a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

wastenounUS /weɪst/

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading I don't 'low the builder to waste no lumber on porches that's nothin' but snares fer lazy folks.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

windnounUS /waɪnd/

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Rich folks what is got the money to sleep in nice, close bedrooms is all took to sleepin' out doors like tramps; an' when they is got all the time there is to set in the parlors and rock, they ain't content in the house but must take theyselves out in the wind and sun 'til they look like Injuns!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When I builds, I builds a house with a parlor and nice, tight bedrooms.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I owns three houses over to Virginia Beach, as snug little homes as you ever seed; but somehow it looks like I can't git rich tenants fer 'em, in spite of they bein' on the water front.

Chapter 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins by Nell Speed holds 131 sentences, grouped into 27 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 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins contain?

Chapter 1 holds 131 sentences of Vacation with the Tucker Twins, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins by Nell Speed exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 131 sentences, grouped into 27 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 1 of Vacation with the Tucker Twins?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Vacation with the Tucker Twins

Common questions about reading Vacation with the Tucker Twins by Nell Speed on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Vacation with the Tucker Twins?

Yes. All 2900 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36046 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Vacation with the Tucker Twins is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36046, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Vacation with the Tucker Twins take to read?

About 241 minutes of reading across 580 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Vacation with the Tucker Twins section by section

How to work through Vacation with the Tucker Twins section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 26 chapters of Vacation with the Tucker Twins to begin.

  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 Vacation with the Tucker Twins

Words and structures a reader meets early in Vacation with the Tucker Twins, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Beach
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vacation with the Tucker Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vacation with the Tucker Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Impression
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vacation with the Tucker Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Willoughby
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Vacation with the Tucker Twins; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.