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Five Weeks in a Balloon
Five Weeks in a Balloon

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Five Weeks in a Balloon
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.
That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.
Respirable air was wanting.
Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.
“Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”
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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.

Five Weeks in a Balloon

Chapter IV

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.
Line 2
That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.
Line 3
Respirable air was wanting.
Line 4
Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.
Line 5
“Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.”

Doctor noun US /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading ““The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading ““The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading ““Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.””

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading ““Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.””

All words in this reading · 69

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 “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

abruptly

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

ago

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

air

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

From this reading Respirable air was wanting.

also

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

always

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

atmosphere

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

balloon

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

Barral

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

Bixio

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

Brioschi

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

burst

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

Certainly

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

doctornounUS /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

ears

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

earth

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

fall

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

far

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

fathoms

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

fearless

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

fell

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

Frenchmen

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

Gay-Lussac

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

go

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

height

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

hurting

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

Kennedy

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

large

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

learned

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

lofty

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

men

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

Messrs

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

mouths

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

namely

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

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

regions

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

Respirable

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

From this reading Respirable air was wanting.

said

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

six

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

Some

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

then

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

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

thousand

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

two

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

ventured

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.

very

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

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

wanting

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

From this reading Respirable air was wanting.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Respirable air was wanting.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That is what Messrs. Brioschi and Gay-Lussac did; but then the blood burst from their mouths and ears.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “The atmosphere of the earth has a height of six thousand fathoms,” said the doctor; “and, with a very large balloon, one might go far.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Certainly they did; but as learned men should always fall—namely, without hurting themselves.”

years

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

From this reading Some years ago, two fearless Frenchmen, Messrs. Barral and Bixio, also ventured into the very lofty regions; but their balloon burst—” “And they fell?” asked Kennedy, abruptly.