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Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Chapter VII

When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

Chapter 3, section 1: When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt. I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my f
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.
I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.
My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.
Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.
During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.
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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.

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Chapter VII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.
Line 2
I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.
Line 3
My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.
Line 4
Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.
Line 5
During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

Learner Dictionary

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

attained adjective US /əˈteɪnd/

achieved or reached

From this reading “When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.”

Collocations
When IA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
I hadA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 85

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 When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

acquainted

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

age

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

arguments

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

arrive

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

attainedadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnd/

achieved or reached

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

attended

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

attending

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

become

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

caught

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

completion

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

country

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

customs

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

danger

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

date

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

day

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

departure

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

early

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

education

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

Elizabeth

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

father

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

fever

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

fixed

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

future

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

Geneva

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

greatest

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

hitherto

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

illness

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

Ingolstadt

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

made

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

many

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

misery

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

misfortune

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

mother

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

native

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

necessary

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

occurred

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

omen

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

other

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

parents

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

persuade

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

refrain

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

resolved

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

scarlet

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

schools

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

seventeen

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

severe

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

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Elizabeth had caught the scarlet fever; her illness was severe, and she was in the greatest danger.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

student

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

university

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

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

urged

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

From this reading During her illness many arguments had been urged to persuade my mother to refrain from attending upon her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred—an omen, as it were, of my future misery.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had hitherto attended the schools of Geneva, but my father thought it necessary for the completion of my education that I should be made acquainted with other customs than those of my native country.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Letter 4?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "Letter 4...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: Letter 4
Narrator: He excites at once my