Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 2

'Well!' thought Alice to herself, 'after such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs!

• Well: An exclamation expressing surprise, resignation, or other emotions [wɛl]
• thought: past tense of 'think', indicating a mental process or reflection [θɔt]
• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• to herself: indicating that the thought was private and not spoken aloud [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• after: following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• such a fall: a descent or drop of this magnitude [səʧ ə fɔl]
• as this: referring to the fall Alice is currently experiencing [ɛz ðɪs]
• I shall think: future tense of 'think', indicating a future belief or opinion [aɪ ʃæl θɪŋk]
• nothing of: not be concerned about [ˈnəθɪŋ əv]
• tumbling down stairs: falling down a staircase [ˈtəmbəlɪŋ daʊn stɛrz]

How brave they'll all think me at home!

• How brave: to what extent courageous [haʊ breɪv]
• they'll: contraction of 'they will' [ðɛl]
• all: every one of a group or number [ɔl]
• think: have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• me: the speaker, Alice [mi]
• at home: in one's own residence or familiar environment [æt hoʊm]

Down, down, down.

• Down, down, down: Repetition of 'down' to emphasize the continuous descent [daʊn daʊn daʊn]

Would the fall NEVER come to an end! 'I wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' she said aloud. 'I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth.

• Would: Expressing a wish or uncertainty about the future [wʊd]
• the fall: The act of descending or dropping [ðə fɔl]
• NEVER: At no time in the future; used for emphasis [ˈnɛvər]
• come to an end: Reach a conclusion or stop [kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]
• I wonder: Expressing curiosity or speculation [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• how many miles: Referring to the distance in miles [haʊ ˈmɛni maɪəlz]
• I've fallen: Contraction of 'I have fallen', indicating the distance covered in the descent [aɪv ˈfɑlən]
• by this time: Up to the present moment [baɪ ðɪs taɪm]
• she said aloud: She spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [ʃi sɛd əˈlaʊd]
• I must be: Expressing a logical conclusion or assumption [aɪ məst bi]
• getting somewhere: Approaching a certain location or state [ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈsəmˌwɛr]
• near: Close to [nɪr]
• the centre of the earth: The innermost point of the planet [ðə ˈsɛntər əv ðə ərθ]

Presently she began again. 'I wonder if I shall fall right THROUGH the earth!

• Presently: after a short time; soon [ˈprɛzəntli]
• she: referring to a female person, in this case, Alice [ʃi]
• began: started [bɪˈgæn]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• I: the speaker (Alice) referring to herself [aɪ]
• wonder: to feel curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndər]
• if: expressing a doubt or uncertainty [ɪf]
• I: the speaker (Alice) referring to herself [aɪ]
• shall: used to express future tense, especially in formal contexts [ʃæl]
• fall: to descend; to drop to a lower level [fɔl]
• right: completely; directly [raɪt]
• THROUGH: moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location [θru]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific earth [ðə]
• earth: the planet on which we live! [ərθ]

How funny it'll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downward!

• How: used to express surprise or interest [haʊ]
• funny: strange; odd [ˈfəni]
• it'll: contraction of 'it will', where 'it' refers to the situation of falling through the earth [ˈɪtəl]
• seem: to give the impression of being or doing something [sim]
• to come out: to emerge; to appear [tɪ kəm aʊt]
• among: surrounded by; in the midst of [əˈməŋ]
• the: definite article, referring to specific people [ðə]
• people: human beings in general or considered collectively [ˈpipəl]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• walk: to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn [wɔk]
• with: accompanied by; having or carrying [wɪθ]
• their: belonging to or associated with the people [ðɛr]
• heads: the part of the body above the neck where the brain is located [hɛdz]
• downward: towards a lower place or position [ˈdaʊnwərd]

The Antipathies, I think—' (she was rather glad there WAS no one listening, this time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) '—but I shall have to ask them what the name of the country is, you know.

• The Antipathies: a humorous mispronunciation or misunderstanding of 'Antipodes', which refers to places diametrically opposite each other on the Earth [ðə ænˈtɪpəθiz]
• I: the speaker (Alice) referring to herself [aɪ]
• think: to believe or suppose [θɪŋk]
• she: parenthetical remark indicating Alice [(ʃi]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• rather: to some extent; somewhat [ˈrəðər]
• glad: pleased; happy [glæd]
• there: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• WAS: past tense of 'to be', emphasized for importance [wɑz]
• no one: nobody; not a single person [noʊ wən]
• listening: paying attention to sound [ˈlɪsənɪŋ]
• this time: on this occasion; now [ðɪs taɪm]
• as: because; since [ɛz]
• it: referring to what she said [ɪt]
• didn't: contraction of 'did not' [ˈdɪdənt]
• sound: to give a particular impression when heard [saʊnd]
• at all: in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific word [ðə]
• right: correct; appropriate [raɪt]
• word: a unit of language that has meaning and can be spoken or written [wərd]
• but: but; however [-bət]
• I: the speaker (Alice) referring to herself [aɪ]
• shall: used to express future tense, especially in formal contexts [ʃæl]
• have to: must; be obliged to [hæv tɪ]
• ask: to put a question to someone [æsk]
• them: referring to the people in the Antipodes [ðɛm]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific name [ðə]
• name: a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known [neɪm]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific country [ðə]
• country: a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory [ˈkəntri]
• is: present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• you: used to refer to the person or people being addressed [ju]
• know: used to indicate that the speaker assumes the listener is familiar with the topic [noʊ]

Please, Ma'am, is this New Zealand or Australia?' (and she tried to curtsey as she spoke—fancy CURTSEYING as you're falling through the air!

• Please: used to make a polite request [pliz]
• Ma'am: a polite form of address for a woman [mæm]
• is: present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• this: used to identify a specific thing or situation observed or heard by the speaker [ðɪs]
• New Zealand: a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean [nu ˈzilənd]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• Australia: a country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere [ɔˈstreɪljə]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [(ənd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• tried: made an attempt or effort to do something [traɪd]
• to curtsey: to perform a respectful bow made by women and girls, consisting of a slight bending of the knees and lowering of the body [tɪ curtsey]
• as: while; at the same time that [ɛz]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• spoke: past tense of 'speak', to say something [spoʊk]
• fancy: imagine; consider [-ˈfænsi]
• CURTSEYING: performing a curtsey, emphasized for surprise [curtseying]
• as: while; at the same time that [ɛz]
• you're: contraction of 'you are' [jʊr]
• falling: descending; dropping [ˈfɑlɪŋ]
• through: moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location [θru]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific air [ðə]
• air: the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen [ɛr]

Do you think you could manage it?) 'And what an ignorant little girl she'll think me for asking!

• Do: used to form questions [du]
• you: used to refer to the person or people being addressed [ju]
• think: to believe or suppose [θɪŋk]
• you: used to refer to the person or people being addressed [ju]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]
• manage: succeed in doing or dealing with (something [ˈmænɪʤ]
• it: referring to curtseying while falling [ɪt]
• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• what: used to express surprise or admiration [wət]
• an: indefinite article, used before words beginning with a vowel sound [ən]
• ignorant: lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated [ˈɪgnərənt]
• little: small [ˈlɪtəl]
• girl: a female child [gərl]
• she'll: contraction of 'she will' [ʃil]
• think: to have a particular opinion or belief [θɪŋk]
• me: used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]
• for: because of; as a result of [fər]
• asking: putting a question to someone [ˈæskɪŋ]

Down, down, down.

• Down: Used here to indicate movement or direction downwards, possibly falling or descending [daʊn]
• down: Repeated for emphasis, reinforcing the downward motion [daʊn]
• down: Further repetition to emphasize the falling sensation [daʊn]

There was nothing else to do, so Alice soon began talking again. 'Dinah'll miss me very much to-night, I should think!' (Dinah was the cat.) 'I hope they'll remember her saucer of milk at tea-time.

• There was nothing else to do: Indicates a lack of alternative actions or activities; a state of boredom or inactivity [ðɛr wɑz ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls tɪ du]
• so: Therefore; as a result of the previous statement [soʊ]
• Alice: The name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• soon: After a short period of time [sun]
• began: Started to do something [bɪˈgæn]
• talking: Speaking; engaging in conversation [ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• again: Once more; repeating a previous action [əˈgɛn]
• Dinah'll: Contraction of 'Dinah will', indicating a future action related to Dinah [dinahll]
• miss: Feel sadness or longing due to the absence of someone [mɪs]
• me: Referring to Alice, the speaker [mi]
• very much: To a great extent; greatly [ˈvɛri məʧ]
• to-night: Tonight; this evening [to-night]
• I should think: An expression indicating a belief or expectation [aɪ ʃʊd θɪŋk]
• Dinah: The name of the cat [(ˈdaɪnə]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• the cat: Identifying Dinah as a cat [ðə kæt)]
• I hope: Expressing a wish or desire [aɪ hoʊp]
• they'll: Contraction of 'they will', referring to unspecified people [ðɛl]
• remember: Recall; not forget [rɪˈmɛmbər]
• her: Referring to Dinah [hər]
• saucer: A small, shallow dish [ˈsɔsər]
• of milk: Milk served in a saucer [əv mɪlk]
• at tea-time: During the time when tea is usually consumed [æt tea-time]

Dinah my dear!

• Dinah: The name of the cat [ˈdaɪnə]
• my dear: An affectionate term of address [maɪ dɪr]

I wish you were down here with me!

• I wish: Expressing a desire or longing [aɪ wɪʃ]
• you: Referring to Dinah [ju]
• were: Past subjunctive of 'to be', used to express a wish [wər]
• down here: In this lower location; where Alice is [daʊn hir]
• with me: Together with Alice [wɪθ mi]

There are no mice in the air, I'm afraid, but you might catch a bat, and that's very like a mouse, you know.

• There are: Indicates the existence of something [ðɛr ər]
• no mice: Absence of mice [noʊ maɪs]
• in the air: Specifically, not present in the air around her [ɪn ðə ɛr]
• I'm afraid: An expression of regret or concern [əm əˈfreɪd]
• but: However; introducing a contrast [bət]
• you: Referring to Dinah [ju]
• might: Possibly could [maɪt]
• catch: Capture; seize [kæʧ]
• a bat: A flying mammal [ə bæt]
• and: Connecting two things [ənd]
• that's: Contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]
• very like: Similar to [ˈvɛri laɪk]
• a mouse: A small rodent [ə maʊs]
• you know: An expression used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]

But do cats eat bats, I wonder?' And here Alice began to get rather sleepy, and went on saying to herself, in a dreamy sort of way, 'Do cats eat bats?

• But: However; introducing a question [bət]
• do: Auxiliary verb used to form a question [du]
• cats: Domestic felines [kæts]
• eat: Consume as food [it]
• bats: Flying mammals [bæts]
• I wonder: Expressing curiosity or doubt [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• And: Connecting two parts of the narrative [ənd]
• here: At this point [hir]
• Alice: The character's name [ˈælɪs]
• began: Started to [bɪˈgæn]
• to get: To become [tɪ gɪt]
• rather: Somewhat; a little [ˈrəðər]
• sleepy: Feeling the need to sleep [sˈlipi]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• went on: Continued [wɛnt ɔn]
• saying: Speaking [seɪɪŋ]
• to herself: Speaking silently or quietly to oneself [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• in a dreamy: In a vague, unfocused manner [ɪn ə ˈdrimi]
• sort of: Kind of; type of [sɔrt əv]
• way: Manner; method [weɪ]
• Do: Auxiliary verb used to form a question [du]
• cats: Domestic felines [kæts]
• eat: Consume as food [it]
• bats: Flying mammals [bæts]

Do cats eat bats?' and sometimes, 'Do bats eat cats?' for, you see, as she couldn't answer either question, it didn't much matter which way she put it.

• Do: Auxiliary verb used to form a question [du]
• cats: Domestic felines [kæts]
• eat: Consume as food [it]
• bats: Flying mammals [bæts]
• and: Connecting two statements [ənd]
• sometimes: Occasionally; at times [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• Do: Auxiliary verb used to form a question [du]
• bats: Flying mammals [bæts]
• eat: Consume as food [it]
• cats: Domestic felines [kæts]
• for: Because; since [fər]
• you see: An expression used to explain something [ju si]
• as: Because [ɛz]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• couldn't: Contraction of 'could not' [ˈkʊdənt]
• answer: Provide a solution or response [ˈænsər]
• either: One or the other of two options [ˈiðər]
• question: A query or inquiry [kˈwɛʃən]
• it: Referring to the question [ɪt]
• didn't: Contraction of 'did not' [ˈdɪdənt]
• much: To a great extent [məʧ]
• matter: Be important [ˈmætər]
• which: Which one [wɪʧ]
• way: Manner; direction [weɪ]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• put: Phrase; express [pʊt]
• it: The question [ɪt]

She felt that she was dozing off, and had just begun to dream that she was walking hand in hand with Dinah, and saying to her very earnestly, 'Now, Dinah, tell me the truth: did you ever eat a bat?' when suddenly, thump!

• She: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• felt: Experienced a sensation [fɛlt]
• that: Introducing a clause [ðət]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• dozing off: Falling asleep gradually [ˈdoʊzɪŋ ɔf]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• had just: Had recently [hæd ʤɪst]
• begun: Started to [ˈbeɪgən]
• dream: Experience a series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep [drim]
• that: Introducing a clause [ðət]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• walking: Moving on foot [ˈwɔkɪŋ]
• hand in hand: Holding hands [hænd ɪn hænd]
• with Dinah: Together with Dinah [wɪθ ˈdaɪnə]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• saying: Speaking [seɪɪŋ]
• to her: To Dinah [tɪ hər]
• very: Extremely [ˈvɛri]
• earnestly: Seriously; sincerely [ˈərnəstli]
• Now: An interjection used to get attention [naʊ]
• Dinah: The name of the cat [ˈdaɪnə]
• tell: Inform; communicate [tɛl]
• me: Referring to Alice [mi]
• the truth: The actual facts [ðə truθ]
• did: Auxiliary verb used to form a question [dɪd]
• you: Referring to Dinah [ju]
• ever: At any time [ˈɛvər]
• eat: Consume as food [it]
• a bat: A flying mammal [ə bæt]
• when: At the time that [wɪn]
• suddenly: Quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• thump: A sound of something heavy falling [θəmp]

thump!

• thump: Repeated for emphasis [θəmp]

down she came upon a heap of sticks and dry leaves, and the fall was over.

• down: Downward [daʊn]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• came: Moved to a specific location [keɪm]
• upon: Onto [əˈpɑn]
• a heap: A pile or mound [ə hip]
• of sticks: Small branches of wood [əv stɪks]
• and: Connecting two items [ənd]
• dry leaves: Leaves that have lost their moisture [draɪ livz]
• and: Connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the fall: The act of falling [ðə fɔl]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• over: Finished; completed [ˈoʊvər]