The Riddle of the Sands
- Approximate level
- B2
- Length
- 111,609 words
- Reading time
- 9 h 18 min
- Chapters
- 32
- Language
- English
- On Project Gutenberg since
- 2000
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This novel follows two men on a sailing expedition near the Frisian Islands. Published in 1903, the book features nautical terminology and formal Edwardian prose. You will encounter long, descriptive sentences that require careful attention to detail. The story focuses on themes of national security, espionage, and maritime adventure. Because the vocabulary is specific to sailing and early twentieth century British English, it serves as a challenging text for those looking to improve their reading comprehension through complex narrative structures.
62,613 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
- Sea stories
- Great Britain -- History -- Invasions -- Fiction
- Adventure stories
- Spy stories
- Sailing -- Fiction
- Frisian Islands -- Fiction
- Secret service -- Fiction
- Alternative histories (Fiction)
Questions about this book
What level of English do I need for this book?
The estimate is B2, based on how common the words are and how long the sentences run. It is an approximation, not a test result. With a translation under every sentence you can start one level earlier than you would with a paper copy.
Is this book really free?
Yes. The text is in the public domain and comes from Project Gutenberg, so it costs nothing. In Lingo7 you open the book and read the first page for free; a subscription unlocks the whole library, the audio and the word practice.
How does reading with a translation work?
Lingo7 shows the original sentence and, right under it, the same sentence in your language. Tap a word to see what it means, hear it, and save it for practice. The translation is made while you read, so it works for any book and for 49 languages.
How long does it take to read?
About 9 h 18 min at a native pace, spread over 32 chapters. In a foreign language plan for more: half an hour a day finishes a book of this size in a few weeks.
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Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.