Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 21

The great question certainly was, what?

• The great question: A significant or important question; in this context, a question of considerable importance to Alice [ðə greɪt kˈwɛʃən]
• certainly: without doubt; definitely [ˈsərtənli]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be', linking the subject to the description or question [wɑz]
• what: used to ask for specific information or clarification [wət]

Alice looked all round her at the flowers and the blades of grass, but she did not see anything that looked like the right thing to eat or drink under the circumstances.

• Alice: the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• looked: used her eyes to see [lʊkt]
• all round her: in every direction surrounding her [ɔl raʊnd hər]
• at the flowers: directing her gaze towards the blossoms [æt ðə flaʊərz]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• the blades of grass: individual pieces of grass [ðə bleɪdz əv græs]
• but: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• did not see: past tense negative form of 'to see', indicating she didn't perceive anything [dɪd nɑt si]
• anything: any object or thing [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• that looked like: that appeared to be [ðət lʊkt laɪk]
• the right thing: the appropriate or suitable item [ðə raɪt θɪŋ]
• to eat or drink: suitable for consumption [tɪ it ər drɪŋk]
• under the circumstances: given the existing situation or conditions [ˈəndər ðə ˈsərkəmˌstænsɪz]

There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself; and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it.

• There: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating existence [wɑz]
• a large mushroom: a sizable fungus [ə lɑrʤ ˈməʃrum]
• growing: increasing in size; developing [groʊɪŋ]
• near her: in close proximity to Alice [nɪr hər]
• about the same height as herself: approximately the same size vertically as Alice [əˈbaʊt ðə seɪm haɪt ɛz hərˈsɛlf]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• when she had looked: after she had used her eyes to observe [wɪn ʃi hæd lʊkt]
• under it: beneath the mushroom [ˈəndər ɪt]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• on both sides of it: on either the left or right of the mushroom [ɔn boʊθ saɪdz əv ɪt]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• behind it: at the back of the mushroom [bɪˈhaɪnd ɪt]
• it occurred to her: a thought or idea came to her mind [ɪt əˈkərd tɪ hər]
• that she might as well: that she could also consider [ðət ʃi maɪt ɛz wɛl]
• look: use her eyes to observe [lʊk]
• and see: and find out [ənd si]
• what was on the top of it: what existed on the upper surface of the mushroom [wət wɑz ɔn ðə tɔp əv ɪt]

She stretched herself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large caterpillar, that was sitting on the top with its arms folded, quietly smoking a long hookah, and taking not the smallest notice of her or of anything else.

• She: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• stretched herself up: extended her body upwards [strɛʧt hərˈsɛlf əp]
• on tiptoe: standing on the balls of her feet to gain height [ɔn ˈtɪpˌtoʊ]
• and: conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• peeped: looked quickly and secretly [pipt]
• over the edge: above the boundary or rim [ˈoʊvər ðə ɛʤ]
• of the mushroom: referring to the fungus mentioned earlier [əv ðə ˈməʃrum]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• her eyes: referring to Alice's organs of sight [hər aɪz]
• immediately: at once; instantly [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]
• met: encountered; came into contact with [mɛt]
• those of: referring to the eyes of [ðoʊz əv]
• a large caterpillar: a sizable insect in its larval stage [ə lɑrʤ ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the caterpillar [ðət]
• was sitting: was in a seated position [wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ]
• on the top: on the upper surface [ɔn ðə tɔp]
• with its arms folded: with its limbs crossed over each other [wɪθ ɪts ɑrmz ˈfoʊldɪd]
• quietly: in a calm and peaceful manner [kˈwaɪətli]
• smoking: inhaling and exhaling smoke from [sˈmoʊkɪŋ]
• a long hookah: a type of water pipe [ə lɔŋ hookah]
• and: conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• taking: performing the action of [ˈteɪkɪŋ]
• not the smallest notice: completely ignoring [nɑt ðə sˈmɔləst ˈnoʊtɪs]
• of her: referring to Alice [əv hər]
• or: conjunction indicating an alternative [ər]
• of anything else: of any other object or matter [əv ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ɛls]

CHAPTER V.

• CHAPTER: a main division of a book [ˈʧæptər]
• V: Roman numeral for 5 [vi]

The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

• The Caterpillar: Referring to the specific caterpillar in the story [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• and: Connecting two elements [ənd]
• Alice: Referring to the character Alice [ˈælɪs]
• looked at: Directed their gaze towards [lʊkt æt]
• each other: Referring to themselves mutually [iʧ ˈəðər]
• for: Indicating a duration of [fər]
• some time: An unspecified period of time [səm taɪm]
• in silence: Without speaking [ɪn ˈsaɪləns]
• at last: Finally; after some delay [æt læst]
• the Caterpillar: Referring again to the caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• took: Grasped and removed [tʊk]
• the hookah: An oriental tobacco pipe with a long flexible tube connected to a container where the smoke is cooled by passing through water [ðə hookah]
• out of: From within [aʊt əv]
• its mouth: The opening in its face used for eating and speaking [ɪts maʊθ]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• addressed: Spoke to [əˈdrɛst]
• her: Referring to Alice [hər]
• in: Indicating the manner of speaking [ɪn]
• a languid: Slow and relaxed [ə ˈlæŋgwəd]
• sleepy voice: A voice indicating drowsiness [sˈlipi vɔɪs]

'Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

• Who: interrogative word used to ask what or which person or people [hu]
• are: present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• YOU: the person or people being addressed [ju]
• said: past tense of the verb 'to say' [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: the speaker of the dialogue [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

• This: Referring to the previous statement [ðɪs]
• was not: Negative form of 'was' [wɑz nɑt]
• an encouraging: Providing hope or confidence [ən ɪnˈkərəʤɪŋ]
• opening: The beginning of something [ˈoʊpənɪŋ]
• for: Indicating purpose [fər]
• a conversation: An exchange of ideas or thoughts [ə ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]

'What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. 'Explain yourself!'

• What: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• do: auxiliary verb used to form questions [du]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• mean: intend to convey or refer to [min]
• by: expressing the agent or means [baɪ]
• that: referring to the previous statement [ðət]
• said: past tense of the verb 'to say' [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: the speaker of the dialogue [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]
• sternly: in a serious and severe manner [ˈstərnli]
• Explain: make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts [ɪkˈspleɪn]
• yourself: make one's actions or feelings clear by giving a reason for them [ˈjɔrsɛlf]

'I can't explain MYSELF, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'

• I: First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', expressing inability [kænt]
• explain: To make something clear or understandable [ɪkˈspleɪn]
• MYSELF: Reflexive pronoun, emphasizing that the speaker is the object of their own explanation [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• I'm: Contraction of 'I am', indicating the speaker's state [ əm]
• afraid: Expressing politeness or regret [əˈfreɪd]
• sir: A polite form of address for a man [ sər]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: The name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• because: Introducing a reason or explanation [ bɪˈkəz]
• I'm: Contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• not: Negation, indicating the opposite of being [nɑt]
• myself: Referring to one's normal or usual state of being [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• you: Second-person pronoun, addressing the listener [ ju]

'I don't see,' said the Caterpillar.

• I: First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]
• don't: Contraction of 'do not', expressing negation [doʊnt]
• see: Understand or comprehend [si]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]

'I'm afraid I can't put it more clearly,' Alice replied very politely, 'for I can't understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.'

• I'm: Contraction of 'I am', indicating the speaker [əm]
• afraid: Expressing politeness or regret [əˈfreɪd]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', expressing inability [kænt]
• put: To express something in a particular way [pʊt]
• it: Referring to the subject being discussed [ɪt]
• more: To a greater extent or degree [mɔr]
• clearly: In a way that is easy to understand [ˈklɪrli]
• Alice: The name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• replied: Past tense of 'reply', indicating a response [rɪˈplaɪd]
• very: To a high degree [ˈvɛri]
• politely: In a respectful and considerate manner [pəˈlaɪtli]
• for: Introducing a reason or explanation [ fər]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [aɪ]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', expressing inability [kænt]
• understand: To comprehend or grasp the meaning of something [ˌəndərˈstænd]
• it: Referring to the subject being discussed [ɪt]
• myself: Referring to the speaker [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• to: Indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• begin: To start or commence [bɪˈgɪn]
• with: In addition to or as a starting point [wɪθ]
• and: Connecting two related ideas [ ənd]
• being: The state of existence [biɪŋ]
• so: To such a great extent [soʊ]
• many: A large number of [ˈmɛni]
• different: Not the same; distinct [ˈdɪfərənt]
• sizes: The dimensions or measurements of something [ˈsaɪzɪz]
• in: Within a period of time [ɪn]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one [ə]
• day: A period of 24 hours [deɪ]
• is: Third-person singular present of 'be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]
• very: To a high degree [ˈvɛri]

'It isn't,' said the Caterpillar.

• It: Referring to the situation being discussed [ɪt]
• isn't: Contraction of 'is not', expressing negation [ˈɪzənt]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific noun [ðə]

'Well, perhaps you haven't found it so yet,' said Alice; 'but when you have to turn into a chrysalis—you will some day, you know—and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you'll feel it a little queer, won't you?'

• Well: Used to express mild surprise, agreement, or to introduce a statement [wɛl]
• perhaps: Possibly, maybe [ pərˈhæps]
• you: Second-person singular pronoun, addressing the listener [ju]
• haven't: Contraction of 'have not', expressing negation [ˈhævənt]
• found: Past participle of 'find', to discover or experience [faʊnd]
• it: Referring to the situation being discussed [ɪt]
• so: To such an extent [soʊ]
• yet: Up to this point in time [jɛt]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: The name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• but: Introducing a contrasting statement [ bət]
• when: At what time or occasion [wɪn]
• you: Second-person singular pronoun, addressing the listener [ju]
• have: Auxiliary verb, used to form perfect tenses [hæv]
• to: Expressing obligation or necessity [tɪ]
• turn: To change or transform [tərn]
• into: Expressing movement or change of condition [ˈɪntu]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one [ə]
• chrysalis: The pupal stage of a butterfly or moth [ˈkrɪsəlɪs]
• you: Second-person singular pronoun, addressing the listener [-ju]
• will: Auxiliary verb, used to express future tense [wɪl]
• some: An unspecified amount or number of [səm]
• day: A period of 24 hours [deɪ]
• you: Second-person singular pronoun, addressing the listener [ ju]
• know: Used to seek agreement or understanding from the listener [noʊ]
• and: Connecting two related ideas [-ənd]
• then: At that time; after that [ðɛn]
• after: Following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• that: Referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]
• into: Expressing movement or change of condition [ˈɪntu]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one [ə]
• butterfly: A flying insect with colorful wings [ˈbətərˌflaɪ]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, indicating the speaker [ aɪ]
• should: Auxiliary verb, expressing a conditional or polite statement [ʃʊd]
• think: To have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]
• you'll: Contraction of 'you will', expressing future tense [jul]
• feel: To experience an emotion or sensation [fil]
• it: Referring to the situation being discussed [ɪt]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to one [ə]
• little: To a small extent [ˈlɪtəl]
• queer: Strange or odd [kwɪr]
• won't: Contraction of 'will not', used in a question tag [ woʊnt]

'Not a bit,' said the Caterpillar.

• Not a bit: An idiom meaning 'not at all' or 'not in the slightest'. It expresses complete disagreement or denial. [nɑt ə bɪt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]
• the Caterpillar: referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]

'Well, perhaps your feelings may be different,' said Alice; 'all I know is, it would feel very queer to ME.'

• Well: An introductory word, often used to express mild surprise, agreement, or to start a new topic. [wɛl]
• perhaps: possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]
• your: belonging to the person being addressed (Alice [jʊr]
• feelings: emotional state or reaction [ˈfilɪŋz]
• may: expressing possibility or uncertainty [meɪ]
• be: to exist or occur [bi]
• different: not the same; dissimilar [ˈdɪfərənt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]
• Alice: referring to the character Alice. [ˈælɪs]
• all: the only thing; everything that [ɔl]
• I: the speaker (Alice [aɪ]
• know: to be aware of as fact or truth; to have information about [noʊ]
• is: that [ɪz]
• it: refers to the hypothetical situation of changing size [ɪt]
• would: expressing a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]
• feel: to experience a sensation or emotion [fil]
• very: extremely; greatly [ˈvɛri]
• queer: strange; odd; peculiar [kwɪr]
• to: for [tɪ]
• ME: the speaker (Alice); used for emphasis. [mi]