Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 12

'What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, 'was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.'

• What I was going to say: Indicates the speaker is about to state their intended point. [wət aɪ wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ seɪ]
• said: Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]
• the Dodo: An extinct flightless bird, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Dodo has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• in an offended tone: Expressing a feeling of resentment or displeasure. 'In an offended tone' describes the manner in which the Dodo spoke. [ɪn ən əˈfɛndɪd toʊn]
• was, that: Introducing the content of what the speaker was going to say. [wɑz ðət]
• the best thing: The most suitable or desirable action or object. [ðə bɛst θɪŋ]
• to get us dry: To cause the speaker and others to become free from moisture. [tɪ gɪt ˈjuˈɛs draɪ]
• would be: Expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation. [wʊd bi]
• a Caucus-race: A fictional race where the participants run in a circle and start and stop whenever they like, so that everyone wins. The term is capitalized, suggesting it's a specific event or type of race. [ə caucus-race]

'What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.

• What IS: An interrogative phrase, asking for the definition or nature of something. [wət ɪz]
• a Caucus-race: A fictional race where the participants run in a circle and start and stop whenever they like, so that everyone wins. The term is capitalized, suggesting it's a specific event or type of race. [ə caucus-race]
• said: Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]
• Alice: A character's name. [ˈælɪs]
• not that: Introducing a qualification or exception to what was previously stated. [nɑt ðət]
• she wanted: Expressing a desire or inclination. [ʃi ˈwɔntɪd]
• much to know: Indicating a limited interest in gaining knowledge about the subject. [məʧ tɪ noʊ]
• but: A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. [bət]
• the Dodo: An extinct flightless bird, used here as a character's name. The definite article 'the' implies this Dodo has been previously introduced or is known to the speaker and listener. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• had paused: Stopped briefly. [hæd pɔzd]
• as if: In a manner suggesting. [ɛz ɪf]
• it thought: Expressing a belief or opinion. [ɪt θɔt]
• that SOMEBODY: An unspecified person. The capitalization emphasizes the need for someone to speak. [ðət ˈsəmˌbɑdi]
• ought to speak: Should or is expected to say something. [ɔt tɪ spik]
• and: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]
• no one else: Nobody else; not any other person. [noʊ wən ɛls]
• seemed inclined: Appeared willing or disposed. [simd ˌɪnˈklaɪnd]
• to say anything: To utter or express something. [tɪ seɪ ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]

'Why,' said the Dodo, 'the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)

• Why: An interjection indicating surprise, curiosity, or mild protest. [waɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• the Dodo: referring to a character named Dodo. [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• the best way: the most effective or suitable method. [ðə bɛst weɪ]
• to explain it: to provide a clear understanding of something. [tɪ ɪkˈspleɪn ɪt]
• is to do it: the most effective way to understand something is to experience it directly. [ɪz tɪ du ɪt]
• And: introducing an additional related point. [(ənd]
• as you might like: since it is possible that you would enjoy. [ɛz ju maɪt laɪk]
• to try the thing: to attempt or experiment with something. [tɪ traɪ ðə θɪŋ]
• yourself: personally, without assistance. [ˈjɔrsɛlf]
• some winter day: on a day during the winter season. [səm ˈwɪntər deɪ]
• I will tell you: I will inform you. [aɪ wɪl tɛl ju]
• how the Dodo: referring to the character Dodo. [haʊ ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• managed it: succeeded in doing something. [ˈmænɪʤd ɪt)]

First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, ('the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there.

• First: Indicates the initial step in a sequence. [fərst]
• it marked out: to define or delineate a space or course. [ɪt mɑrkt aʊt]
• a race-course: a designated path for a race. [ə race-course]
• in a sort of circle: roughly circular in shape. [ɪn ə sɔrt əv ˈsərkəl]
• the exact shape: the precise form or outline. [(ðə ɪgˈzækt ʃeɪp]
• doesn't matter: is not important or significant. [ˈdəzənt ˈmætər]
• it said: the Dodo stated. [ɪt sɛd)]
• and then: subsequently, after that. [ənd ðɛn]
• all the party: everyone present at the gathering. [ɔl ðə ˈpɑrti]
• were placed: were positioned or situated. [wər pleɪst]
• along the course: beside or following the race-course. [əˈlɔŋ ðə kɔrs]
• here and there: in various locations, scattered around. [hir ənd ðɛr]

There was no 'One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over.

• There was no: there wasn't any. [ðɛr wɑz noʊ]
• One, two, three, and away: a traditional starting signal for a race. [wən tu θri ənd əˈweɪ]
• but they began: instead, they started. [bət ðeɪ bɪˈgæn]
• running: the act of moving rapidly on foot. [ˈrənɪŋ]
• when they liked: at their own preferred time. [wɪn ðeɪ laɪkt]
• and left off: stopped. [ənd lɛft ɔf]
• when they liked: at their own preferred time. [wɪn ðeɪ laɪkt]
• so that: as a result. [soʊ ðət]
• it was not easy: it wasn't simple. [ɪt wɑz nɑt ˈizi]
• to know: to ascertain or determine. [tɪ noʊ]
• when the race: the competition. [wɪn ðə reɪs]
• was over: had finished. [wɑz ˈoʊvər]

This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence.

• This question: Referring to a question that was previously asked or implied in the context [ðɪs kˈwɛʃən]
• the Dodo: Referring to a specific character named Dodo [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• could not answer: was unable to provide a response [kʊd nɑt ˈænsər]
• without a great deal of thought: implying that the question required significant consideration and mental effort [wɪˈθaʊt ə greɪt dil əv θɔt]
• and it sat: the Dodo remained seated [ənd ɪt sæt]
• for a long time: indicating a considerable duration of time [fər ə lɔŋ taɪm]
• with one finger pressed upon its forehead: a gesture indicating deep thought or contemplation [wɪθ wən ˈfɪŋgər prɛst əˈpɑn ɪts ˈfɔrhɛd]
• the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him: an explanatory phrase comparing the Dodo's posture to common depictions of Shakespeare [(ðə pəˈzɪʃən ɪn wɪʧ ju ˈjuʒəwəli si ˈʃeɪkˌspir ɪn ðə ˈpɪkʧərz əv ɪm)]
• while the rest: referring to the remaining individuals or characters present [waɪl ðə rɛst]
• waited in silence: remained quiet and expectant [ˈweɪtɪd ɪn ˈsaɪləns]

'But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices asked.

• But who is to give the prizes: A question asking who will be responsible for distributing the awards [bət hu ɪz tɪ gɪv ðə ˈpraɪzɪz]
• quite a chorus of voices: many voices speaking together, like a choir [kwaɪt ə ˈkɔrəs əv ˈvɔɪsɪz]
• asked: they inquired [æst]

'Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, 'Prizes! Prizes!'

• Why, SHE, of course: An exclamation indicating that the answer should be obvious, referring to a female individual [waɪ ʃi əv kɔrs]
• said the Dodo: the Dodo character spoke [sɛd ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ]
• pointing to Alice: gesturing towards the character named Alice [ˈpɔɪntɪŋ tɪ ˈælɪs]
• with one finger: using a single finger to indicate direction [wɪθ wən ˈfɪŋgər]
• and the whole party: all the individuals present [ənd ðə hoʊl ˈpɑrti]
• at once: immediately; without delay [æt wəns]
• crowded round her: gathered closely around Alice [ˈkraʊdɪd raʊnd hər]
• calling out: shouting or exclaiming loudly [ˈkɔlɪŋ aʊt]
• in a confused way: in a disorganized and unclear manner [ɪn ə kənfˈjuzd weɪ]
• Prizes! Prizes: repeatedly shouting the word 'Prizes' to express excitement or demand [ˈpraɪzɪz ˈpraɪzɪz]

Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes.

• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• had no idea: did not know; lacked understanding [hæd noʊ aɪˈdiə]
• what to do: the course of action to take [wət tɪ du]
• and in despair: feeling a complete loss of hope [ənd ɪn dɪˈspɛr]
• she put her hand in her pocket: she reached into her pocket with her hand [ʃi pʊt hər hænd ɪn hər ˈpɑkət]
• and pulled out: took out; extracted [ənd pʊld aʊt]
• a box of comfits: a box containing small candies or sweets [ə bɑks əv comfits]
• luckily: fortunately; by good luck [ˈləkəli]
• the salt water: water containing salt, likely seawater [ðə sɔlt ˈwɔtər]
• had not got into it: had not entered or affected the box of comfits [hæd nɑt gɑt ˈɪntu ɪt]
• and handed them round: distributed the comfits to everyone present [ənd ˈhændɪd ðɛm raʊnd]
• as prizes: as rewards or gifts [ɛz ˈpraɪzɪz]

There was exactly one a-piece all round.

• There was exactly one a-piece all round: Each person received exactly one comfit [ðɛr wɑz ɪgˈzæktli wən a-piece ɔl raʊnd]

'But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• she must have: it is necessary for her to receive [ʃi məst hæv]
• a prize herself: a reward for herself [ə praɪz hərˈsɛlf]
• you know: used to emphasize that the listener should understand or agree with what is being said [ju noʊ]
• said the Mouse: the Mouse spoke [sɛd ðə maʊs]

'Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. 'What else have you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.

• Of course: certainly; definitely [əv kɔrs]
• the Dodo replied: the Dodo answered [ðə ˈdoʊdoʊ rɪˈplaɪd]
• very gravely: in a serious and solemn manner [ˈvɛri ˈgreɪvli]
• What else: what other things [wət ɛls]
• have you got: do you possess [hæv ju gɑt]
• in your pocket: inside your pocket [ɪn jʊr ˈpɑkət]
• he went on: he continued speaking [hi wɛnt ɔn]
• turning to Alice: addressing Alice [ˈtərnɪŋ tɪ ˈælɪs]