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The Bell (Klokken)
The Bell (Klokken)

Chapter I

Chapter 1, section 1: Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers;
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.
He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.
He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”
Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.
One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

The Bell (Klokken)

Chapter I

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.
Line 2
He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.
Line 3
He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”
Line 4
Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.
Line 5
One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.”

Council noun US /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.””

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.””

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.””

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.”

All words in this reading · 87

Every word is available to listen to. 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 He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

accustomed

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

afforded

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

ago

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

all

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

always

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

any

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

arrived

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

calling

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

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

capital

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

care

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

chase

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

clothes

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

councilnounUS /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

court

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

day

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

displaying

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

dress

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

Emperor

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

excessively

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

fond

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

go

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

hour

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

king

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

large

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

made

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

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

Many

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

merrily

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

money

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

new

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

opportunities

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

other

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

rogues

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

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

said

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

say

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

sitting

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

soldiers

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

spent

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

strangers

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

suit

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

theatre

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

then

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

there

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

TimenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

town

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

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

trouble

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

From this reading He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.

two

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

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

wardrobe

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

From this reading He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

weavers

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

From this reading One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

years

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

From this reading Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central philosophical inquiry and narrative progression in 'Act 01: The Discourse of The Bell (Klokken) — The Origin & The Dilemma'?

How does the prose style reflect classical academic excellence?

What primary language acquisition value does this text offer advanced English scholars?