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Watch Yourself Go By
Watch Yourself Go By

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Watch Yourself Go By is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Watch Yourself Go By
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.
When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."
The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.
On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.
In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.
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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.

Watch Yourself Go By

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Watch Yourself Go By is here in full — 406 sentences across 82 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.
Line 2
When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."
/wen ˈmɪstər stiːl æskt ˈælfrəd ɪf hiː wɜːr ɑːn hɪz weɪ tuː tʃɜːrtʃ ˈælfrəd ˈænsərd jes/
Line 3
The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.
/ðə tuː wɔːkt tuː ðə tʃɜːrtʃ təˈɡeðər ənd hoʊm ˈæftər ðə ˈsɜːrmən wɑːz ˈoʊvər/
Line 4
On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.
Line 5
In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.
/ɪn ðoʊz deɪz ˈevribɑːdi eɪt ˈdɪnər æt haɪ nuːn/

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.

improvements noun US /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/

plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading “On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.”

minstrel noun US /ˈmɪnstrəl/

a singer of folk songs

From this reading “The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.”

pastor noun US /ˈpæstər/

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading “The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.”

plant verb US /plænt/

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading “On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.”

Reverend noun US /ˈrevərənd/

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading “The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.”

sermon noun US /ˈsɜːrmən/

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading “The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.”

Steele noun US /stiːl/

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading “When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."”

tanner noun US /ˈtænər/

a small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies; not minted since 1970

From this reading “On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.”

All words in this reading · 60

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.

accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

afterwardsadverbUS /ˈæftərwərdz/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/

king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

atenounUS /eɪt/

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/

plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

invitedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtəd/

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

Kayne

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

Kerr

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

minstrelnounUS /ˈmɪnstrəl/

a singer of folk songs

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

noonnounUS /nuːn/

the middle of the day

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

pastornounUS /ˈpæstər/

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

plantverbUS /plænt/

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

ReverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

sermonnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/

an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

SteelenounUS /stiːl/

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

tannernounUS /ˈtænər/

a small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies; not minted since 1970

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

tannerynoun

workplace where skins and hides are tanned

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading In those days everybody ate dinner at high noon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The two walked to the church together and home after the sermon was over.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Reverend Kerr was pastor, the father of E. M. Kerr, afterwards noted in the minstrel profession as E. M. Kayne.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading On the way the tanner described in detail the improvements he was making in his plant and invited Alfred to accompany him to the tannery to look over the work under way.

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading When Mr. Steele asked Alfred if he were on his way to church, Alfred answered: "Yes."

Chapter 8 of Watch Yourself Go By by Al. G. (Alfred Griffith) Field holds 406 sentences, grouped into 82 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 8 of Watch Yourself Go By contain?

Chapter 8 holds 406 sentences of Watch Yourself Go By, unabridged, divided into 82 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Watch Yourself Go By by Al. G. (Alfred Griffith) Field exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 406 sentences, grouped into 82 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 8 of Watch Yourself Go By?

Work through the 82 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 82 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Watch Yourself Go By

Common questions about reading Watch Yourself Go By by Al. G. (Alfred Griffith) Field on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Watch Yourself Go By?

Yes. All 10090 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #20375 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Watch Yourself Go By is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #20375, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Watch Yourself Go By take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2018 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Watch Yourself Go By section by section

How to work through Watch Yourself Go By section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of Watch Yourself Go By 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 Watch Yourself Go By

Words and structures a reader meets early in Watch Yourself Go By, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Stand
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Watch Yourself Go By; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Aside
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Watch Yourself Go By; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Watch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Watch Yourself Go By; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Yourself
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Watch Yourself Go By; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.