Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 26

'I HAVE tasted eggs, certainly,' said Alice, who was a very truthful child; 'but little girls eat eggs quite as much as serpents do, you know.'

• I HAVE tasted eggs, certainly: Indicates that the speaker has definitely experienced the taste of eggs. 'I HAVE' emphasizes the certainty. 'certainly' reinforces the confirmation of the experience. [aɪ hæv ˈteɪstɪd ɛgz ˈsərtənli]
• said: past tense of 'say', used to indicate who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• who was a very truthful child: describes Alice as someone who always tells the truth [hu wɑz ə ˈvɛri ˈtruθfəl ʧaɪld]
• but little girls eat eggs quite as much as serpents do, you know: Alice argues that young girls consume eggs just as frequently as snakes, suggesting that her eating eggs is not unusual. 'you know' is used to seek agreement or understanding from the listener. [bət ˈlɪtəl gərlz it ɛgz kwaɪt ɛz məʧ ɛz ˈsərpənts du ju noʊ]

'I don't believe it,' said the Pigeon; 'but if they do, why then they're a kind of serpent, that's all I can say.'

• I don't believe it: Expresses disbelief in what was previously said. [aɪ doʊnt bɪˈliv ɪt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Pigeon: identifies the speaker as the Pigeon [ðə ˈpɪʤɪn]
• but if they do: Acknowledges the possibility of the previous statement being true. [bət ɪf ðeɪ du]
• why then they're a kind of serpent: If little girls eat eggs as much as serpents, then they are similar to serpents in that aspect. 'a kind of' suggests a similarity or type. [waɪ ðɛn ðɛr ə kaɪnd əv ˈsərpənt]
• that's all I can say: Indicates that the speaker has nothing more to add to the topic. [ðæts ɔl aɪ kən seɪ]

This was such a new idea to Alice, that she was quite silent for a minute or two, which gave the Pigeon the opportunity of adding, 'You're looking for eggs, I know THAT well enough; and what does it matter to me whether you're a little girl or a serpent?'

• This: refers to the previous statement or idea [ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• such a new idea: an idea that is very novel or unfamiliar [səʧ ə nu aɪˈdiə]
• to Alice: indicates that Alice is the recipient of the new idea [tɪ ˈælɪs]
• that she was quite silent: she became completely quiet [ðət ʃi wɑz kwaɪt ˈsaɪlənt]
• for a minute or two: for a short period of time [fər ə ˈmɪnət ər tu]
• which gave the Pigeon the opportunity: providing the Pigeon with a chance [wɪʧ geɪv ðə ˈpɪʤɪn ðə ˌɑpərˈtunəti]
• of adding: to say something more [əv ˈædɪŋ]
• You're looking for eggs: accusing Alice of searching for eggs [jʊr ˈlʊkɪŋ fər ɛgz]
• I know THAT well enough: emphasizing the speaker's certainty about Alice's intentions [aɪ noʊ ðət wɛl ɪˈnəf]
• and what does it matter to me: expressing indifference or lack of concern [ənd wət dɪz ɪt ˈmætər tɪ mi]
• whether you're a little girl or a serpent: questioning the relevance of Alice's identity to the speaker's concerns [ˈwɛðər jʊr ə ˈlɪtəl gərl ər ə ˈsərpənt]

'It matters a good deal to ME,' said Alice hastily; 'but I'm not looking for eggs, as it happens; and if I was, I shouldn't want YOURS: I don't like them raw.'

• It matters: This is an emphatic way of saying that something is important [ɪt ˈmætərz]
• a good deal: a significant amount or extent [ə gʊd dil]
• to ME: emphasizing the speaker's personal perspective [tɪ mi]
• said: the verb 'said' indicates who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• hastily: quickly and perhaps impatiently [ˈheɪstəli]
• but: introduces a contrast or exception [bət]
• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• not looking: not searching or seeking [nɑt ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• for eggs: referring to eggs, possibly in a literal or metaphorical sense [fər ɛgz]
• as it happens: as it turns out; coincidentally [ɛz ɪt ˈhæpənz]
• and if: introduces a conditional clause [ənd ɪf]
• I was: short for 'if I were', indicating a hypothetical situation [aɪ wɑz]
• I shouldn't: contraction of 'I should not' [aɪ ˈʃʊdənt]
• want: desire or need [wɔnt]
• YOURS: referring to the eggs belonging to the person being addressed [jʊrz]
• I don't: contraction of 'I do not' [aɪ doʊnt]
• like: enjoy or prefer [laɪk]
• them: referring to the eggs [ðɛm]
• raw: uncooked [rɑ]

'Well, be off, then!' said the Pigeon in a sulky tone, as it settled down again into its nest.

• Well: an interjection, often used to express surprise, resignation, or to start a conversation [wɛl]
• be off: leave; go away [bi ɔf]
• then: at that time; therefore [ðɛn]
• said: the verb 'said' indicates who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Pigeon: the character speaking, a pigeon [ðə ˈpɪʤɪn]
• in a sulky tone: in a bad-tempered or resentful way [ɪn ə sulky toʊn]
• as it: referring to the pigeon [ɛz ɪt]
• settled down: returned to a resting position [ˈsɛtəld daʊn]
• again: once more; repeatedly [əˈgɛn]
• into its nest: the pigeon's home or resting place [ˈɪntu ɪts nɛst]

Alice crouched down among the trees as well as she could, for her neck kept getting entangled among the branches, and every now and then she had to stop and untwist it.

• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• crouched down: lowered her body close to the ground [kraʊʧt daʊn]
• among the trees: surrounded by trees [əˈməŋ ðə triz]
• as well as: to the best of her ability [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• she could: she was able to [ʃi kʊd]
• for her neck: referring to Alice's neck [fər hər nɛk]
• kept getting: continued to be [kɛpt ˈgɪtɪŋ]
• entangled: caught or twisted [ɛnˈtæŋgəld]
• among the branches: within the tree limbs [əˈməŋ ðə ˈbrænʧɪz]
• and every now and then: occasionally; from time to time [ənd ˈɛvəri naʊ ənd ðɛn]
• she had to: she was required to [ʃi hæd tɪ]
• stop: cease movement [stɑp]
• and untwist it: to undo the twisting; referring to her neck [ənd untwist ɪt]

After a while she remembered that she still held the pieces of mushroom in her hands, and she set to work very carefully, nibbling first at one and then at the other, and growing sometimes taller and sometimes shorter, until she had succeeded in bringing herself down to her usual height.

• After a while: after some time had passed [ˈæftər ə waɪl]
• she remembered: she recalled [ʃi rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• that she: referring to Alice [ðət ʃi]
• still held: continued to hold [stɪl hɛld]
• the pieces of mushroom: referring to broken parts of a mushroom [ðə ˈpisɪz əv ˈməʃrum]
• in her hands: in her possession [ɪn hər hænz]
• and she: referring to Alice [ənd ʃi]
• set to work: began to do something [sɛt tɪ wərk]
• very carefully: with great attention and caution [ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəli]
• nibbling: taking small bites [ˈnɪbəlɪŋ]
• first at one: initially at one piece [fərst æt wən]
• and then at the other: and subsequently at the other piece [ənd ðɛn æt ðə ˈəðər]
• and growing: increasing in size [ənd groʊɪŋ]
• sometimes taller: occasionally becoming taller [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈtɔlər]
• and sometimes shorter: and occasionally becoming shorter [ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈʃɔrtər]
• until she: up to the point when she [ənˈtɪl ʃi]
• had succeeded: had managed to achieve [hæd səkˈsidɪd]
• in bringing: in causing to come [ɪn ˈbrɪŋɪŋ]
• herself: referring to Alice [hərˈsɛlf]
• down to: to a lower level [daʊn tɪ]
• her usual height: her normal or typical height [hər ˈjuʒəwəl haɪt]

It was so long since she had been anything near the right size, that it felt quite strange at first; but she got used to it in a few minutes, and began talking to herself, as usual. 'Come, there's half my plan done now!

• It: refers to a situation or time previously mentioned [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be'; indicates a state or condition in the past [wɑz]
• so long: a considerable amount of time [soʊ lɔŋ]
• since: from a past time until now [sɪns]
• she: refers to a female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'be'; indicates a state or condition that existed before another past action [hæd bɪn]
• anything near: approaching or close to a certain condition [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ nɪr]
• the right size: the appropriate or desired size [ðə raɪt saɪz]
• that: introduces a clause explaining the reason for the feeling [ðət]
• it: refers to the situation of being the right size [ɪt]
• felt: past tense of 'feel'; indicates a sensation or emotion [fɛlt]
• quite strange: somewhat unusual or unfamiliar [kwaɪt streɪnʤ]
• at first: initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]
• but: introduces a contrast or exception [bət]
• she: refers to the female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• got used to: became accustomed to; adapted to [gɑt juzd tɪ]
• it: refers to the feeling of being the right size [ɪt]
• in a few minutes: within a short period of time [ɪn ə fju ˈmɪnəts]
• and: connects two related actions [ənd]
• began: past tense of 'begin'; started to do something [bɪˈgæn]
• talking: speaking; engaging in conversation [ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• to herself: speaking aloud but only intended to be heard by oneself [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• as usual: in the typical or customary way [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]
• Come: an expression of encouragement or urging [kəm]
• there's: contraction of 'there is'; indicates the existence of something [ðɛrz]
• half: one of two equal parts of a whole [hæf]
• my plan: a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something [maɪ plæn]
• done: completed; finished [dən]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

How puzzling all these changes are!

• How: used to express surprise or interest [haʊ]
• puzzling: causing confusion or difficulty in understanding [ˈpəzəlɪŋ]
• all: the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]
• these: referring to things that are present or nearby [ðiz]
• changes: instances of becoming different [ˈʧeɪnʤɪz]
• are: present tense of 'be'; links the subject to a description [ər]

I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another!

• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• sure: certain; confident [ʃʊr]
• what: used to ask for information specifying something [wət]
• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• going to be: will become; will transform into [goʊɪŋ tɪ bi]
• from one minute to another: constantly changing; very quickly [frəm wən ˈmɪnət tɪ əˈnəðər]

However, I've got back to my right size: the next thing is, to get into that beautiful garden—how IS that to be done, I wonder?' As she said this, she came suddenly upon an open place, with a little house in it about four feet high. 'Whoever lives there,' thought Alice, 'it'll never do to come upon them THIS size: why, I should frighten them out of their wits!' So she began nibbling at the righthand bit again, and did not venture to go near the house till she had brought herself down to nine inches high.

• However: despite that; nevertheless [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• I've: contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]
• got back: returned to; regained [gɑt bæk]
• to my right size: to the appropriate or desired size [tɪ maɪ raɪt saɪz]
• the next thing: the subsequent action or step [ðə nɛkst θɪŋ]
• is: present tense of 'be'; links the subject to a description [ɪz]
• to get: to obtain; to reach [tɪ gɪt]
• into: expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ˈɪntu]
• that beautiful garden: a particularly attractive and well-maintained garden [ðət ˈbjutəfəl ˈgɑrdən]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• IS: emphasizes the question [ɪz]
• that: refers to the action of getting into the garden [ðət]
• to be done: to be accomplished; to be achieved [tɪ bi dən]
• I wonder: I am curious; I am pondering [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• As: while; during the time that [ɛz]
• she: refers to the female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]
• this: refers to what she just said [ðɪs]
• she: refers to the female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• came: past tense of 'come'; moved towards something [keɪm]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• upon: on; very close to [əˈpɑn]
• an open place: a clear area without obstructions [ən ˈoʊpən pleɪs]
• with: having or possessing [wɪθ]
• a little house: a small dwelling [ə ˈlɪtəl haʊs]
• in it: inside the open place [ɪn ɪt]
• about four feet high: approximately four feet in height [əˈbaʊt fɔr fit haɪ]
• Whoever: anyone who [huˈɛvər]
• lives: present tense of 'live'; resides [lɪvz]
• there: in that place [ðɛr]
• thought: past tense of 'think'; had an idea or opinion [θɔt]
• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• it'll: contraction of 'it will'; indicates a future action [ˈɪtəl]
• never do: not be suitable or acceptable [ˈnɛvər du]
• to come upon: to encounter; to find unexpectedly [tɪ kəm əˈpɑn]
• them: refers to the people living in the house [ðɛm]
• THIS size: at this large size [ðɪs saɪz]
• why: used to express surprise or mild indignation [waɪ]
• I should: I would; expresses a conditional action [aɪ ʃʊd]
• frighten: cause fear in [ˈfraɪtən]
• them: refers to the people living in the house [ðɛm]
• out of their wits: to a state of extreme fear or panic [aʊt əv ðɛr wɪts]
• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• she: refers to the female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• began: past tense of 'begin'; started to do something [bɪˈgæn]
• nibbling: taking small bites [ˈnɪbəlɪŋ]
• at: indicating the object of an action [æt]
• the righthand bit: the piece on the right side [ðə raɪˈthænd bɪt]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• and: connects two related actions [ənd]
• did not venture: did not dare; did not risk [dɪd nɑt ˈvɛnʧər]
• to go near: to approach; to get close to [tɪ goʊ nɪr]
• the house: the little house previously mentioned [ðə haʊs]
• till: until; up to the time that [tɪl]
• she: refers to the female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• had brought: past perfect tense of 'bring'; caused to reach a certain state [hæd brɔt]
• herself: reflexive pronoun referring to the female person [hərˈsɛlf]
• down: to a lower level or size [daʊn]
• to nine inches high: to a height of nine inches [tɪ naɪn ˈɪnʧɪz haɪ]