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Venus Equilateral
Venus Equilateral

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral is here in full — 423 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Venus Equilateral
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!
Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.
Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.
Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.
Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.
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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.

Venus Equilateral

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral is here in full — 423 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!
/ˈbɑːrɪŋ ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns ðə ˈprɑːbləm ʌv ˈkiːpɪŋ kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən wɪð əˈnʌðər ˈplænət əˈkrɔːs ə ˈhʌndrəd ˈmɪljən maɪlz ʌv ˌɪntərˈplænəteri speɪs ɪz ˈpɑːrʃəli sɑːlvd baɪ ðə fækt ðæt juː kæn siː jɔːr ˈtɑːrɡət/
Line 2
Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.
Line 3
Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.
/kənˈsɪdər ðə ˈrelətɪv ˈsaɪzəz ʌv ˈspeɪskræft ənd ˈplænət/
Line 4
Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.
Line 5
Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

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.

arduous adjective US /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading “Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.”

Barring noun US /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/

the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto

centered adjective US /ˈsentərd/

being or placed in the center

From this reading “Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.”

denominator noun US /dɪˈnɑːməneɪtər/

the divisor of a fraction

From this reading “Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.”

interplanetary adjective US /ˌɪntərˈplænəteri/

between or among planets

From this reading “_Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!”

ratio noun US /ˈreɪʃioʊ/

the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)

From this reading “Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.”

sizes noun US /ˈsaɪzəz/

plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading “Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.”

spacecraft noun US /ˈspeɪskræft/

a craft capable of traveling in outer space; technically, a satellite around the sun

From this reading “Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.”

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.

eight hundred adjective + noun

In this reading “Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.”

hundred million noun + noun

In this reading “_Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!”

eight thousand adjective + noun

In this reading “Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.”

thousand miles noun + noun counted as “thousand mile”

In this reading “Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.”

hundred feet noun + noun counted as “hundred foot”

In this reading “Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.”

million miles noun + noun counted as “million mile”

In this reading “_Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!”

in diameter preposition + noun

In this reading “Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

50,000

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

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

BarringnounUS /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/

the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

centeredadjectiveUS /ˈsentərd/

being or placed in the center

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

ConsiderverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/

deem to be

From this reading Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.

cross-hairs

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

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

denominatornounUS /dɪˈnɑːməneɪtər/

the divisor of a fraction

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/

the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

feetnounUS /fiːt/

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/

a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

interplanetaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈplænəteri/

between or among planets

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

jobnounUS /dʒɑːb/

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/

conformity or harmony

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

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 Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

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

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

planetnounUS /ˈplænət/

(astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/

in the right manner; correctly; suitably

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

rationounUS /ˈreɪʃioʊ/

the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

readsnounUS /riːdz/

plural of “read” — something that is read

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

ReducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/

plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Consider the relative sizes of spacecraft and planet.

solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/

explained or answered

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

spacecraftnounUS /ˈspeɪskræft/

a craft capable of traveling in outer space; technically, a satellite around the sun

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/

a reference point to shoot at

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

technicaladjectiveUS /ˈteknɪkəl/

of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

telescopeverbUS /ˈteləskoʊp/

crush together or collapse

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

Terra

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

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Keeping the cross-hairs in a telescope properly centered is a technical job more arduous than difficult._ _But seeing a spacecraft is another problem.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Reduced to a common denominator and a simple ratio, it reads that the earth is 50,000 times as large as the largest spacecraft.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Where Terra is eight thousand miles in diameter, the largest of spacecraft is eight hundred feet long.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _Barring interference, the problem of keeping communication with another planet across a hundred million miles of interplanetary space is partially solved by the fact that you can see your target!

Chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral by George O. (George Oliver) Smith holds 423 sentences, grouped into 85 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral contain?

Chapter 4 holds 423 sentences of Venus Equilateral, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral by George O. (George Oliver) Smith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 423 sentences, grouped into 85 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of Venus Equilateral?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Vocabulary met early in Venus Equilateral

Words and structures a reader meets early in Venus Equilateral, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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