Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 40

'Would you tell me,' said Alice, a little timidly, 'why you are painting those roses?'

• Would you tell me: A polite request for information [wʊd ju tɛl mi]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• a little timidly: describes Alice's manner of speaking, indicating she is slightly shy or hesitant [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈtɪmədli]
• why: introduces the reason for the question [waɪ]
• you are painting: present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action of painting [ju ər ˈpeɪnɪŋ]
• those roses: refers to specific roses that are being painted [ðoʊz ˈroʊzɪz]

Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two.

• Five and Seven: Referring to characters named Five and Seven [faɪv ənd ˈsɛvən]
• said nothing: They did not speak [sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ]
• but looked at Two: They directed their gaze towards the character named Two [bət lʊkt æt tu]

Two began in a low voice, 'Why the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have been a RED rose-tree, and we put a white one in by mistake; and if the Queen was to find it out, we should all have our heads cut off, you know.

• Two began: Character Two started to speak [tu bɪˈgæn]
• in a low voice: Speaking quietly [ɪn ə loʊ vɔɪs]
• Why: Beginning of an explanation [waɪ]
• the fact is: An expression used to introduce an explanation or reason [ðə fækt ɪz]
• you see: An expression used to engage the listener [ju si]
• Miss: A polite form of address to a young woman [mɪs]
• this here: A colloquial expression, meaning 'this' [ðɪs hir]
• ought to have been: Should have been [ɔt tɪ hæv bɪn]
• a RED rose-tree: A rose bush with red roses [ə rɛd rose-tree]
• and we put: We planted [ənd wi pʊt]
• a white one: A white rose bush [ə waɪt wən]
• in by mistake: Accidentally [ɪn baɪ mɪˈsteɪk]
• and if: Conditional conjunction, introducing a hypothetical situation [ənd ɪf]
• the Queen: Referring to a royal figure [ðə kwin]
• was to find it out: Were to discover the mistake [wɑz tɪ faɪnd ɪt aʊt]
• we should: We would [wi ʃʊd]
• all have: All of us would have [ɔl hæv]
• our heads cut off: Be executed by beheading [ɑr hɛdz kət ɔf]
• you know: An expression used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]

So you see, Miss, we're doing our best, afore she comes, to—' At this moment Five, who had been anxiously looking across the garden, called out 'The Queen! The Queen!' and the three gardeners instantly threw themselves flat upon their faces.

• So you see: Therefore, you understand [soʊ ju si]
• Miss: A polite form of address to a young woman [mɪs]
• we're doing: We are doing [wɪr duɪŋ]
• our best: Trying as hard as we can [ɑr bɛst]
• afore: Before [afore]
• she comes: Before the Queen arrives [ʃi kəmz]
• to: Interrupted mid-sentence [tɪ-]
• At this moment: At this specific time [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• Five: Referring to the character named Five [faɪv]
• who had been: Who was [hu hæd bɪn]
• anxiously looking: Looking with worry [ˈæŋkʃəsli ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• across the garden: To the other side of the garden [əˈkrɔs ðə ˈgɑrdən]
• called out: Shouted [kɔld aʊt]
• The Queen! The Queen: Exclamation announcing the arrival of the Queen [ðə kwin ðə kwin]
• and the three gardeners: Referring to the three characters who are gardeners [ənd ðə θri ˈgɑrdənərz]
• instantly: Immediately [ˈɪnstəntli]
• threw themselves: Quickly lowered their bodies [θru ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• flat upon: Completely onto [flæt əˈpɑn]
• their faces: With their faces down [ðɛr ˈfeɪsɪz]

There was a sound of many footsteps, and Alice looked round, eager to see the Queen.

• There was: There existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• a sound: Noise [ə saʊnd]
• of many footsteps: Indicating multiple people walking [əv ˈmɛni ˈfʊtˌstɛps]
• and Alice: Referring to the character Alice [ənd ˈælɪs]
• looked round: Turned to look around [lʊkt raʊnd]
• eager: Keenly [ˈigər]
• to see: Wanting to see [tɪ si]
• the Queen: The royal figure [ðə kwin]

First came ten soldiers carrying clubs; these were all shaped like the three gardeners, oblong and flat, with their hands and feet at the corners: next the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as the soldiers did.

• First: denotes the beginning or the initial position in a sequence [fərst]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specified place [keɪm]
• ten: the number 10 [tɛn]
• soldiers: members of an army [ˈsoʊlʤərz]
• carrying: holding and transporting something [ˈkɛriɪŋ]
• clubs: heavy sticks used as weapons [kləbz]
• these: referring to the ten soldiers [ðiz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• all: every one of them [ɔl]
• shaped: having a particular form or outline [ʃeɪpt]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the three gardeners: a specific group of three gardeners previously mentioned or known [ðə θri ˈgɑrdənərz]
• oblong: having an elongated rectangular or oval shape [ˈɑblɔŋ]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• flat: having a level or even surface; not round or thick [flæt]
• with: indicating accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]
• their: belonging to them (the gardeners [ðɛr]
• hands: the terminal part of the arm, used for grasping [hænz]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• feet: plural of 'foot', the part of the body used for standing and walking [fit]
• at: indicating a specific location or point [æt]
• the corners: the points where two lines or edges meet [ðə ˈkɔrnərz]
• next: immediately following in order or sequence [nɛkst]
• the ten courtiers: a specific group of ten people attending a royal court [ðə tɛn ˈkɔrtiərz]
• these: referring to the ten courtiers [ðiz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• ornamented: decorated with ornaments [ˈɔrnəˌmɛntɪd]
• all over: covering the entire surface [ɔl ˈoʊvər]
• with: indicating the material or substance used [wɪθ]
• diamonds: precious stones [ˈdaɪməndz]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• walked: past tense of 'walk', to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn [wɔkt]
• two and two: in pairs [tu ənd tu]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• the soldiers: referring to the soldiers mentioned earlier [ðə ˈsoʊlʤərz]
• did: auxiliary verb used to avoid repeating the verb 'walked' [dɪd]

After these came the royal children; there were ten of them, and the little dears came jumping merrily along hand in hand, in couples: they were all ornamented with hearts.

• After: following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• these: referring to the courtiers [ðiz]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specified place [keɪm]
• the royal children: the children of the king and queen [ðə rɔɪəl ˈʧɪldrən]
• there: used to indicate existence or presence [ðɛr]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating existence [wər]
• ten: the number 10 [tɛn]
• of them: referring to the royal children [əv ðɛm]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• the little dears: an affectionate term for the children [ðə ˈlɪtəl dears]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specified place [keɪm]
• jumping: moving forward by leaping off the ground [ˈʤəmpɪŋ]
• merrily: in a cheerful and lively manner [ˈmɛrəli]
• along: moving forward [əˈlɔŋ]
• hand in hand: holding each other's hands [hænd ɪn hænd]
• in couples: in pairs [ɪn ˈkəpəlz]
• they: referring to the royal children [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• all: every one of them [ɔl]
• ornamented: decorated with ornaments [ˈɔrnəˌmɛntɪd]
• with: indicating the material or substance used [wɪθ]
• hearts: symbols of love and affection [hɑrts]

Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens, and among them Alice recognised the White Rabbit: it was talking in a hurried nervous manner, smiling at everything that was said, and went by without noticing her.

• Next: immediately following in order or sequence [nɛkst]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specified place [keɪm]
• the guests: people who have been invited to visit or stay somewhere [ðə gɛsts]
• mostly: mainly; generally [ˈmoʊstli]
• Kings: male rulers of a country [kɪŋz]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• Queens: female rulers of a country [kwinz]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• among: in the midst of or included in [əˈməŋ]
• them: referring to the guests [ðɛm]
• Alice: a proper noun, a name of a person [ˈælɪs]
• recognised: identified someone or something previously known [ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd]
• the White Rabbit: a specific character known as the White Rabbit [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]
• it: referring to the White Rabbit [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• talking: speaking [ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• in: indicating the manner or style of something [ɪn]
• a hurried: done or acting in a quick or hasty manner [ə ˈhərid]
• nervous: anxious or apprehensive [ˈnərvəs]
• manner: a way in which something is done or happens [ˈmænər]
• smiling: having a pleased or amused expression [sˈmaɪlɪŋ]
• at: directed towards [æt]
• everything: all things [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• said: spoken [sɛd]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• went: past tense of 'go', to move or travel [wɛnt]
• by: past or near [baɪ]
• without: not having or doing something [wɪˈθaʊt]
• noticing: becoming aware of something [ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ]
• her: referring to Alice [hər]

Then followed the Knave of Hearts, carrying the King's crown on a crimson velvet cushion; and, last of all this grand procession, came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS.

• Then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• followed: came after in sequence [ˈfɑloʊd]
• the Knave of Hearts: a specific character known as the Knave of Hearts [ðə neɪv əv hɑrts]
• carrying: holding and transporting something [ˈkɛriɪŋ]
• the King's crown: the crown belonging to the King [ðə kɪŋz kraʊn]
• on: supported by [ɔn]
• a crimson: a rich, deep red color [ə ˈkrɪmzən]
• velvet: a soft, luxurious fabric [ˈvɛlvət]
• cushion: a soft pad used for comfort or support [ˈkʊʃən]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• last of all: at the very end [læst əv ɔl]
• this grand procession: this impressive and elaborate parade [ðɪs grænd prəˈsɛʃən]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker or a specified place [keɪm]
• THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS: The King and Queen of Hearts, emphasized by capitalization [ðə kɪŋ ənd kwin əv hɑrts]

Alice was rather doubtful whether she ought not to lie down on her face like the three gardeners, but she could not remember ever having heard of such a rule at processions; 'and besides, what would be the use of a procession,' thought she, 'if people had all to lie down upon their faces, so that they couldn't see it?' So she stood still where she was, and waited.

• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• rather: to a certain extent; somewhat [ˈrəðər]
• doubtful: feeling uncertain or unsure about something [ˈdaʊtfəl]
• whether: expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]
• she ought not: she should not; indicates a sense of obligation or duty [ʃi ɔt nɑt]
• to lie down: to recline or rest on a surface [tɪ laɪ daʊn]
• on her face: with the front of her head against the ground [ɔn hər feɪs]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the three gardeners: a group of three people who work in a garden [ðə θri ˈgɑrdənərz]
• but: introduces a contrast or exception [bət]
• she could not remember: she was unable to recall [ʃi kʊd nɑt rɪˈmɛmbər]
• ever: at any time [ˈɛvər]
• having heard: having received information or knowledge through listening [ˈhævɪŋ hərd]
• of such a rule: of a regulation or guideline of that kind [əv səʧ ə rul]
• at processions: during organized events involving a series of people or vehicles moving forward in a formal manner [æt proʊˈsɛʃənz]
• and besides: in addition; moreover [ənd ˌbiˈsaɪdz]
• what would be: what the result or consequence would be [wət wʊd bi]
• the use of: the purpose or benefit of [ðə juz əv]
• a procession: an organized group moving forward in a formal manner [ə prəˈsɛʃən]
• thought she: she thought; indicates the character's internal thoughts [ θɔt ʃi]
• if people had all: if everyone was required [ɪf ˈpipəl hæd ɔl]
• to lie down: to recline or rest on a surface [tɪ laɪ daʊn]
• upon their faces: with the front of their heads against the ground [əˈpɑn ðɛr ˈfeɪsɪz]
• so that: in order that; with the result that [soʊ ðət]
• they couldn't see it: they would be unable to view the procession [ðeɪ ˈkʊdənt si ɪt]
• So: therefore; as a result [ soʊ]
• she stood still: she remained in a fixed position [ʃi stʊd stɪl]
• where she was: in the place she was located [wɛr ʃi wɑz]
• and waited: and remained in place expecting something to happen [ənd ˈweɪtɪd]

When the procession came opposite to Alice, they all stopped and looked at her, and the Queen said severely 'Who is this?' She said it to the Knave of Hearts, who only bowed and smiled in reply.

• When: at the time that [wɪn]
• the procession: an organized group moving forward in a formal manner [ðə prəˈsɛʃən]
• came: moved or arrived [keɪm]
• opposite to: facing; across from [ˈɑpəzɪt tɪ]
• Alice: a proper noun, likely the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• they all: everyone in the group [ðeɪ ɔl]
• stopped: ceased moving [stɑpt]
• and looked: directed their gaze [ənd lʊkt]
• at her: towards her [æt hər]
• and: connects two clauses [ənd]
• the Queen: the female ruler of a kingdom [ðə kwin]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• severely: in a strict or harsh manner [səˈvɪrli]
• Who is this: a question asking for the identity of someone [hu ɪz ðɪs]
• She: referring to the Queen [ ʃi]
• said it: uttered the question [sɛd ɪt]
• to: directed towards [tɪ]
• the Knave of Hearts: a character in the story, a playing card figure [ðə neɪv əv hɑrts]
• who only: who merely; who did nothing more than [hu ˈoʊnli]
• bowed: bent the head or body as a sign of respect [boʊd]
• and smiled: and expressed pleasure or amusement with a facial expression [ənd smaɪld]
• in reply: as an answer [ɪn rɪˈplaɪ]