Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 17

'But then,' thought Alice, 'shall I NEVER get any older than I am now?

• But then: Indicates a shift in thought or a contrasting idea. 'But' introduces a contrast, and 'then' implies a consequence or next step in reasoning. The comma indicates a pause or separation of the phrase. [bət ðɛn]
• thought: The act of thinking; the process of using one's mind to consider or reason about something. [θɔt]
• Alice: The name of the character who is thinking. [ˈælɪs]
• shall I NEVER: Expresses a question about the future. 'Shall' is used with 'I' to form a question about a future action. 'Never' indicates that something will not happen at any time. [ʃæl aɪ ˈnɛvər]
• get any older: To age or become more advanced in years. 'Any' suggests a degree of aging. [gɪt ˈɛni ˈoʊldər]
• than I am now: A comparison to the current age. 'Than' is used to compare, 'I am' refers to the speaker's current state, and 'now' indicates the present time. [ðən aɪ æm naʊ]

That'll be a comfort, one way—never to be an old woman—but then—always to have lessons to learn!

• That'll: Contraction of 'that will', referring to the previous statement about not getting older. [ˈðætəl]
• be a comfort: Something that provides relief or consolation. [bi ə ˈkəmfərt]
• one way: In one aspect or sense. [wən weɪ]
• never to be: Expresses a desire to avoid something. 'Never' indicates at no time, and 'to be' suggests a state of existence. [-ˈnɛvər tɪ bi]
• an old woman: A female who has lived for many years. [ən oʊld ˈwʊmən]
• but then: Indicates another shift in thought or a contrasting idea, similar to the first 'But then'. The dashes emphasize the interruption or change in thought. [-bət ðɛn-]
• always to have: To continually possess or experience something. 'Always' indicates at all times, and 'to have' suggests possession. [ˈɔlˌweɪz tɪ hæv]
• lessons to learn: Tasks or subjects that need to be studied or understood. The exclamation mark emphasizes the speaker's strong feeling about this. [ˈlɛsənz tɪ lərn]

'Oh, you foolish Alice!' she answered herself. 'How can you learn lessons in here?

• Oh, you foolish Alice: An exclamation expressing disapproval or mild annoyance, followed by a description of Alice as 'foolish'. [oʊ ju ˈfulɪʃ ˈælɪs]
• she answered: She responded or replied. [ʃi ˈænsərd]
• herself: To herself; indicating that she was speaking to herself. [hərˈsɛlf]
• How can you: Expresses disbelief or questions the possibility of something. [haʊ kən ju]
• learn lessons: To acquire knowledge or skills through study or experience. [lərn ˈlɛsənz]
• in here: In this place; referring to the current location. [ɪn hir]

And so she went on, taking first one side and then the other, and making quite a conversation of it altogether; but after a few minutes she heard a voice outside, and stopped to listen.

• And so: Therefore; as a result of what has been said or done. [ənd soʊ]
• she went on: She continued doing something. [ʃi wɛnt ɔn]
• taking first one side: Considering one perspective or argument. [ˈteɪkɪŋ fərst wən saɪd]
• and then the other: And then considering the opposite perspective or argument. [ənd ðɛn ðə ˈəðər]
• and making quite a conversation: And creating a substantial dialogue. 'Quite' emphasizes the extent of the conversation. [ənd ˈmeɪkɪŋ kwaɪt ə ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]
• of it altogether: Of the entire situation or topic. 'Altogether' means completely or entirely. [əv ɪt ˌɔltəˈgɛðər]
• but after a few minutes: Following a short period of time. [bət ˈæftər ə fju ˈmɪnəts]
• she heard a voice: She perceived a sound made by someone speaking. [ʃi hərd ə vɔɪs]
• outside: In the area beyond the interior of a place. [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• and stopped to listen: And ceased her current activity in order to pay attention to the sound. [ənd stɑpt tɪ ˈlɪsən]

'Mary Ann! Mary Ann!' said the voice. 'Fetch me my gloves this moment!' Then came a little pattering of feet on the stairs.

• Mary Ann! Mary Ann: Repetition of a name, likely calling someone [ˈmɛri æn ˈmɛri æn]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the voice: the sound coming from an unidentified speaker [ðə vɔɪs]
• Fetch: to go and get something or someone and bring them back [fɛʧ]
• me: used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]
• my gloves: possessive pronoun 'my' indicating ownership of 'gloves', which are hand coverings [maɪ gləvz]
• this moment: immediately; right now [ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement or arrival [keɪm]
• a little pattering of feet: light, quick steps, suggesting someone is running or walking quickly [ə ˈlɪtəl pattering əv fit]
• on the stairs: referring to the steps inside a building that lead to different floors [ɔn ðə stɛrz]

Alice knew it was the Rabbit coming to look for her, and she trembled till she shook the house, quite forgetting that she was now about a thousand times as large as the Rabbit, and had no reason to be afraid of it.

• Alice: a proper noun, a name of a person [ˈælɪs]
• knew: past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of something [nu]
• it: refers to the pattering of feet [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [wɑz]
• the Rabbit: a specific rabbit, possibly a character [ðə ˈræbɪt]
• coming: present participle of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specific location [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• to look for: to search for someone or something [tɪ lʊk fər]
• her: pronoun referring to Alice [hər]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• she: pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• trembled: shook involuntarily, usually due to fear or nervousness [ˈtrɛmbəld]
• till: up to the point of [tɪl]
• she: pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• shook: past tense of 'shake', meaning to tremble or vibrate [ʃʊk]
• the house: the building in which she is located [ðə haʊs]
• quite forgetting: completely not remembering [kwaɪt fərˈgɛtɪŋ]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she: pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [wɑz]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• about a thousand times: approximately one thousand times [əˈbaʊt ə ˈθaʊzənd taɪmz]
• as large as: comparing the size of Alice to the Rabbit [ɛz lɑrʤ ɛz]
• the Rabbit: a specific rabbit, possibly a character [ðə ˈræbɪt]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• had no reason: there was no justification or cause [hæd noʊ ˈrizən]
• to be afraid: to feel fear or apprehension [tɪ bi əˈfreɪd]
• of it: referring to the Rabbit [əv ɪt]

Presently the Rabbit came up to the door, and tried to open it; but, as the door opened inwards, and Alice's elbow was pressed hard against it, that attempt proved a failure.

• Presently: after a short period; soon [ˈprɛzəntli]
• the Rabbit: a specific rabbit, possibly a character [ðə ˈræbɪt]
• came up: approached; moved closer [keɪm əp]
• to the door: the entrance to a building or room [tɪ ðə dɔr]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• tried: past tense of 'try', meaning to make an attempt [traɪd]
• to open: to move something so that it is no longer closed [tɪ ˈoʊpən]
• it: referring to the door [ɪt]
• but: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• as: because; since [ɛz]
• the door: the entrance to a building or room [ðə dɔr]
• opened inwards: the door swings towards the inside [ˈoʊpənd inwards]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• Alice's: possessive form of 'Alice', indicating ownership [ˈælɪsəz]
• elbow: the joint between the forearm and the upper arm [ˈɛlˌboʊ]
• was pressed: was pushed firmly [wɑz prɛst]
• hard: with great force or strength [hɑrd]
• against it: in opposition to the door [əˈgɛnst ɪt]
• that attempt: the action of trying to open the door [ðət əˈtɛmpt]
• proved: turned out to be [pruvd]
• a failure: an unsuccessful attempt [ə ˈfeɪljər]

'THAT you won't' thought Alice, and, after waiting till she fancied she heard the Rabbit just under the window, she suddenly spread out her hand, and made a snatch in the air.

• THAT you won't: Expresses disbelief or disagreement with something someone might say or suggest. [ðət ju woʊnt]
• thought: Past tense of 'think'; indicates an internal monologue or reflection. [θɔt]
• Alice: The name of the character who is thinking. [ˈælɪs]
• and: Connects the thought with the subsequent action. [ənd]
• after: Indicates that the following action happened after a period of waiting. [ˈæftər]
• waiting: Remaining in place or delaying action until something happens. [ˈweɪtɪŋ]
• till: Short for 'until'; indicates the duration of the waiting. [tɪl]
• she: Refers to Alice. [ʃi]
• fancied: Imagined or believed, possibly without concrete evidence. [ˈfænsid]
• she heard: Alice perceived a sound. [ʃi hərd]
• the Rabbit: A specific rabbit, likely a character in the story. [ðə ˈræbɪt]
• just: Exactly or precisely. [ʤɪst]
• under: Beneath or below. [ˈəndər]
• the window: A window, a specific one in this context. [ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]
• she: Refers to Alice. [ʃi]
• suddenly: Quickly and unexpectedly. [ˈsədənli]
• spread out: Extended or opened wide. [sprɛd aʊt]
• her hand: Alice's hand. [hər hænd]
• and: Connects the action of spreading out her hand with the next action. [ənd]
• made: Performed or executed. [meɪd]
• a snatch: A quick, grabbing motion. [ə snæʧ]
• in the air: Indicates the snatch was made at nothing visible. [ɪn ðə ɛr]

She did not get hold of anything, but she heard a little shriek and a fall, and a crash of broken glass, from which she concluded that it was just possible it had fallen into a cucumber-frame, or something of the sort.

• She: Refers to Alice. [ʃi]
• did not: Negative form of 'did'; indicates something did not happen. [dɪd nɑt]
• get hold of: Grasp or seize. [gɪt hoʊld əv]
• anything: Any object or thing. [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• but: Contrasts the failure to grab something with the sounds she heard. [bət]
• she heard: Alice perceived a sound. [ʃi hərd]
• a little shriek: A short, high-pitched cry. [ə ˈlɪtəl ʃrik]
• and: Connects the shriek with the fall. [ənd]
• a fall: The act of falling. [ə fɔl]
• and: Connects the fall with the crash. [ənd]
• a crash: A loud, sudden noise. [ə kræʃ]
• of broken glass: The sound of glass shattering. [əv ˈbroʊkən glæs]
• from which: As a result of which. [frəm wɪʧ]
• she: Refers to Alice. [ʃi]
• concluded: Inferred or deduced. [kənˈkludɪd]
• that: Introduces the conclusion. [ðət]
• it: Refers to the source of the shriek, fall, and crash. [ɪt]
• was just: Only barely or possibly. [wɑz ʤɪst]
• possible: Capable of happening or being true. [ˈpɑsəbəl]
• it: Refers to the source of the shriek, fall, and crash. [ɪt]
• had fallen: Had dropped or descended. [hæd ˈfɑlən]
• into: Inside or within. [ˈɪntu]
• a cucumber-frame: A structure used to protect cucumbers. [ə cucumber-frame]
• or: Introduces an alternative possibility. [ər]
• something: An unspecified thing. [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• of the sort: Of a similar kind or nature. [əv ðə sɔrt]

Next came an angry voice—the Rabbit's—'Pat! Pat!

• Next: Following in order or sequence. [nɛkst]
• came: Appeared or arrived. [keɪm]
• an angry voice: A voice expressing anger. [ən ˈæŋgri vɔɪs]
• the Rabbit's: Belonging to the Rabbit. [ðə rabbits]
• Pat! Pat: The Rabbit is calling out the name 'Pat'. [pæt pæt]

Where are you?' And then a voice she had never heard before, 'Sure then I'm here!

• Where: In what place or location. [wɛr]
• are you: A question asking for someone's location. [ər ju]
• And: Connects the Rabbit's speech with another voice. [ənd]
• then: Following in time or sequence. [ðɛn]
• a voice: A sound made by a person speaking. [ə vɔɪs]
• she: Refers to Alice. [ʃi]
• had never heard: Had not previously perceived a sound. [hæd ˈnɛvər hərd]
• before: Previously in time. [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• Sure: Certainly or definitely. [ʃʊr]
• then: Therefore or as a result. [ðɛn]
• I'm: Contraction of 'I am'. [əm]
• here: In this place. [hir]

'Digging for apples, indeed!' said the Rabbit angrily. 'Here!

• Digging for apples, indeed: Expression of disbelief or sarcasm regarding the activity of digging for apples. 'Indeed' emphasizes the speaker's doubt or disagreement. [ˈdɪgɪŋ fər ˈæpəlz ˌɪnˈdid]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Rabbit: referring to a specific rabbit character [ðə ˈræbɪt]
• angrily: in an angry manner [ˈæŋgrəli]
• Here: used to call attention or offer something [hir]

'Now tell me, Pat, what's that in the window?'

• Now: Used to introduce a question or request [naʊ]
• tell: to communicate information [tɛl]
• me: the speaker [mi]
• Pat: a name, likely addressing someone named Pat [pæt]
• what's: contraction of 'what is' [wəts]
• that: referring to something unspecified [ðət]
• in: indicating location within something [ɪn]
• the window: a window, used as a question [ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]

'Sure, it's an arm, yer honour!' (He pronounced it 'arrum])).')

• Sure: expressing agreement or affirmation [ʃʊr]
• it's: contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]
• an arm: referring to a body part [ən ɑrm]
• yer: dialectal or informal form of 'your' [jər]
• honour: title of respect, often used when addressing someone of higher status or authority [ˈɑnər]
• He pronounced: indicates how the following word was spoken [(hi prəˈnaʊnst]
• it: referring to the word 'arm' [ɪt]
• arrum: dialectal pronunciation of 'arm' [arrum-

'An arm, you goose!

• An arm: referring to a body part [ən ɑrm]
• you goose: a silly or foolish person [ju gus]

Who ever saw one that size?

• Who: interrogative pronoun, asking which person [hu]
• ever: at any time [ˈɛvər]
• saw: past tense of 'see', to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• one: referring to 'an arm' [wən]
• that: indicating a specific arm [ðət]
• size: the dimensions or magnitude of something, used as a question [saɪz]