'Are their heads off(A question asking if the soldiers' heads have been removed. 'Their' refers to the soldiers, 'heads' refers to their heads, and 'off' means detached or removed. [ər ðɛr hɛdz ɔf])?' shouted(past tense of 'shout', meaning to yell loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]) the Queen(the title of the character speaking [ðə kwin]).
'Their heads are gone(Their heads have been removed. 'Their' refers to the soldiers. 'Gone' means missing or removed. [ðɛr hɛdz ər gɔn]), if it please your Majesty(A formal way of speaking to royalty. 'If it please your Majesty' is a polite phrase used to show respect. [ɪf ɪt pliz jʊr ˈmæʤəsti])!' the soldiers(plural of soldier, referring to multiple military personnel [ðə ˈsoʊlʤərz]) shouted(past tense of 'shout', meaning to yell loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]) in reply(in response [ɪn rɪˈplaɪ]).
'That's right(An exclamation indicating agreement or approval. 'That's' is a contraction of 'that is'. [ðæts raɪt])!' shouted(past tense of 'shout', meaning to yell loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]) the Queen(the title of the character speaking [ðə kwin]). 'Can you play croquet(A question asking if someone knows how to play the game of croquet. [kən ju pleɪ kroʊˈkeɪ])?'
The soldiers(plural of soldier, referring to multiple military personnel [ðə ˈsoʊlʤərz]) were silent(past tense of 'be silent', meaning not speaking [wər ˈsaɪlənt]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) looked(past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]) at(preposition indicating direction [æt]) Alice(the name of the character being looked at [ˈælɪs]), as(conjunction indicating reason [ɛz]) the question(referring to the question about playing croquet [ðə kˈwɛʃən]) was evidently(was clearly or obviously [wɑz ˈɛvədəntli]) meant(past participle of 'mean', meaning intended [mɛnt]) for her(intended for Alice [fər hər]).
'Yes(An affirmative response [jɛs])!' shouted(past tense of 'shout', meaning to yell loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]).
'Come on, then(An expression used to urge someone to hurry or to start doing something [kəm ɔn ðɛn])!' roared(To utter a loud, deep, prolonged sound, typically expressing pain, anger, or another strong emotion [rɔrd]) the Queen(Referring to a female monarch or a female member of a royal family [ðə kwin]), and(Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific character [ˈælɪs]) joined(To become linked or connected [ʤɔɪnd]) the procession(A group of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony or festival [ðə prəˈsɛʃən]), wondering(Feeling curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndərɪŋ]) very much(To a great extent; greatly [ˈvɛri məʧ]) what(Asking for information specifying something [wət]) would happen(Expressing a future possibility or likelihood of occurring [wʊd ˈhæpən]) next(Immediately following in time or order [nɛkst]).
'It's—it's(A hesitant repetition of 'it is', where 'it' likely refers to the weather [its-its]) a very fine day(An exclamation indicating that the weather is pleasant and agreeable [ə ˈvɛri faɪn deɪ])!' said(Past tense of 'say', indicating someone spoke [sɛd]) a timid voice(A shy or hesitant way of speaking [ə ˈtɪmɪd vɔɪs]) at her side(Next to her [æt hər saɪd]). She(Referring to Alice [ʃi]) was walking(Moving on foot at a moderate pace [wɑz ˈwɔkɪŋ]) by(Near or next to [baɪ]) the White Rabbit(A specific character, a rabbit with white fur [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]), who(Referring to the White Rabbit [hu]) was peeping(Looking quickly and furtively at something, often through a small opening [wɑz ˈpipɪŋ]) anxiously(In a worried or nervous manner [ˈæŋkʃəsli]) into her face(Looking directly at Alice's face [ˈɪntu hər feɪs]).
'Very(An agreement or affirmation to the previous statement [ˈvɛri]),' said(Past tense of 'say', indicating someone spoke [sɛd]) Alice(A proper noun, referring to a specific character [ˈælɪs]): '—where's(Contraction of 'where is', asking the location of someone [wɛrz]) the Duchess(Referring to a female member of nobility [ðə ˈdəʧəs])?'
'Hush! Hush(An exclamation used to urge silence [həʃ həʃ])!' said(Past tense of 'say', indicating someone spoke [sɛd]) the Rabbit(Referring to a specific character, the Rabbit [ðə ˈræbɪt]) in a low, hurried tone(Speaking quietly and quickly [ɪn ə loʊ ˈhərid toʊn]). He(Referring to the Rabbit [hi]) looked(Used his eyes to perceive something [lʊkt]) anxiously(In a worried or nervous manner [ˈæŋkʃəsli]) over his shoulder(Looking back behind him [ˈoʊvər hɪz ˈʃoʊldər]) as he spoke(While he was talking [ɛz hi spoʊk]), and(Used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) then(At that time; also [ðɛn]) raised himself(Lifted his body upwards [reɪzd hɪmˈsɛlf]) upon tiptoe(Standing on the tips of his toes to gain height [əˈpɑn ˈtɪpˌtoʊ]), put his mouth close(Moved his mouth near to something [pʊt hɪz maʊθ kloʊz]) to her ear(Near Alice's ear [tɪ hər ɪr]), and(Used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) whispered(Spoke very quietly using one's breath, without vibrating the vocal cords [ˈwɪspərd]) 'She's(Contraction of 'she is', referring to the Duchess [ʃiz]) under sentence of execution(Condemned to be put to death [ˈəndər ˈsɛntəns əv ˌɛksəˈkjuʃən]).'
'What for(An informal way of asking 'Why?' or 'For what reason?' [wət fər])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]).
'Did you say(Inquiring whether someone uttered the following words [dɪd ju seɪ]) "What a pity(An expression of regret or disappointment [wət ə ˈpɪti])!"?' the Rabbit(Referring to the Rabbit character [ðə ˈræbɪt]) asked(Inquired [æst]).
'No, I didn't(A negative response, indicating that Alice did not say 'What a pity!' [noʊ aɪ ˈdɪdənt]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]): (used to introduce a clause that provides more information or clarification)'I don't think(Expressing a lack of belief or opinion [aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk]) it's(contraction of 'it is', referring to the situation or event being discussed [ɪts]) at all(used to emphasize the statement [æt ɔl]) a pity(something that is regrettable or unfortunate [ə ˈpɪti]). I said(Stating what Alice actually said [ aɪ sɛd]) "What for(An informal way of asking 'Why?' or 'For what reason?' [wət fər])?"'
'She boxed(past tense of 'box', meaning to strike with a fist [ʃi bɑkst]) the Queen's(possessive form of 'Queen', indicating belonging to the Queen [ðə kwinz]) ears(the organs of hearing [ɪrz-])—' the Rabbit(Referring to the Rabbit character [ðə ˈræbɪt]) began(past tense of 'begin', indicating the start of an action or speech [bɪˈgæn]). Alice(the name of the character [ ˈælɪs]) gave(past tense of 'give', indicating an action [geɪv]) a little scream(a short, high-pitched cry [ə ˈlɪtəl skrim]) of laughter(the act or sound of laughing [əv ˈlæftər]). 'Oh, hush(An exclamation urging someone to be quiet [ oʊ həʃ])!' the Rabbit(Referring to the Rabbit character [ðə ˈræbɪt]) whispered(past tense of 'whisper', to speak very softly [ˈwɪspərd]) in a frightened tone(speaking in a way that shows fear [ɪn ə ˈfraɪtənd toʊn]). 'The Queen(Referring to the Queen character [ ðə kwin]) will hear(future tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive sound [wɪl hir]) you(Addressing the listener directly [ju])! You see(Used to introduce an explanation or reason [ju si]), she came(Referring to the Queen's arrival [ ʃi keɪm]) rather late(arriving somewhat late [ˈrəðər leɪt]), and(Connecting two clauses [ ənd]) the Queen(Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating what the Queen spoke [sɛd-])—'
'Get to(An instruction to move to [gɪt tɪ]) your places(The designated spots or positions [jʊr ˈpleɪsɪz])!' shouted(past tense of 'shout', to speak very loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]) the Queen(Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]) in a voice of thunder(speaking very loudly and powerfully [ɪn ə vɔɪs əv ˈθəndər]), and(Connecting two clauses [ ənd]) people(Individuals; persons [ˈpipəl]) began(past tense of 'begin', indicating the start of an action [bɪˈgæn]) running about(moving quickly in different directions [ˈrənɪŋ əˈbaʊt]) in all directions(moving in every possible direction [ɪn ɔl dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz]), tumbling up(falling or tripping [ ˈtəmbəlɪŋ əp]) against(in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) each other(one another [iʧ ˈəðər]); however(Despite what has just been said [ ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), they got(They managed to [ ðeɪ gɑt]) settled down(to become calm and organized [ˈsɛtəld daʊn]) in a minute or two(a short amount of time [ɪn ə ˈmɪnət ər tu]), and(Connecting two clauses [ ənd]) the game(The activity being played [ðə geɪm]) began(past tense of 'begin', indicating the start of an action [bɪˈgæn]). Alice(the name of the character [ ˈælɪs]) thought(past tense of 'think', indicating a belief or opinion [θɔt]) she had never seen(she had not ever witnessed [ʃi hæd ˈnɛvər sin]) such a curious(so strange or unusual [səʧ ə ˈkjʊriəs]) croquet-ground(the area where the game of croquet is played [croquet-ground]) in her life(during her existence [ɪn hər laɪf]); it was(Providing a description of the croquet-ground [ ɪt wɑz]) all ridges(covered in raised strips of ground [ɔl ˈrɪʤɪz]) and furrows(and grooves or trenches [ənd furrows]); the balls(the objects used in the game [ ðə bɔlz]) were live hedgehogs(were actual, living hedgehogs [wər lɪv ˈhɛˌʤhɑgz]), the mallets(the hammers used to hit the balls [ ðə mallets]) live flamingoes(actual, living flamingoes [lɪv flamingoes]), and(Connecting two clauses [ ənd]) the soldiers(the military personnel [ðə ˈsoʊlʤərz]) had to(were required to [hæd tɪ]) double themselves up(bend over completely [ˈdəbəl ðɛmˈsɛlvz əp]) and to stand(and to position themselves [ənd tɪ stænd]) on their hands(using their hands for support [ɔn ðɛr hænz]) and feet(and feet for support [ənd fit]), to make(in order to create [ tɪ meɪk]) the arches(the hoops that the balls must pass through [ðə ˈɑrʧɪz]).
The chief difficulty(The main or biggest problem [ðə ʧif ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]) Alice found(Alice encountered or experienced [ˈælɪs faʊnd]) at first(initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]) was in managing(involved controlling or handling [wɑz ɪn ˈmænəʤɪŋ]) her flamingo(the flamingo that belongs to her [hər fləˈmɪŋgoʊ]): she succeeded(she managed to do something [ʃi səkˈsidɪd]) in getting(in the process of obtaining or achieving [ɪn ˈgɪtɪŋ]) its body(the flamingo's body [ɪts ˈbɑdi]) tucked away(safely and snugly positioned [təkt əˈweɪ]), comfortably enough(sufficiently comfortable [ˈkəmfərtəbli ɪˈnəf]), under her arm(in the space between her arm and her body [ˈəndər hər ɑrm]), with its legs hanging down(the flamingo's legs dangling downwards [wɪθ ɪts lɛgz ˈhæŋɪŋ daʊn]), but generally(but usually; in most cases [bət ˈʤɛnərəli]), just as she had got(at the precise moment when she had managed to get [ʤɪst ɛz ʃi hæd gɑt]) its neck nicely straightened out(the flamingo's neck properly extended [ɪts nɛk ˈnaɪsli ˈstreɪtənd aʊt]), and was going to give(and was about to give [ənd wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ gɪv]) the hedgehog(a small, spiny mammal [ðə ˈhɛˌʤhɑg]) a blow(a hit or strike [ə bloʊ]) with its head(using the flamingo's head as a mallet [wɪθ ɪts hɛd]), it WOULD twist itself round(the flamingo would turn its body around [ɪt wʊd twɪst ˌɪtˈsɛlf raʊnd]) and look up in her face(and gaze upwards at Alice's face [ənd lʊk əp ɪn hər feɪs]), with such a puzzled expression(with a facial expression showing confusion [wɪθ səʧ ə ˈpəzəld ɪkˈsprɛʃən]) that she could not help(that she was unable to resist [ðət ʃi kʊd nɑt hɛlp]) bursting out laughing(suddenly starting to laugh loudly [ˈbərstɪŋ aʊt ˈlæfɪŋ]): and when she had got(and after she had managed to get [ənd wɪn ʃi hæd gɑt]) its head down(the flamingo's head pointing downwards [ɪts hɛd daʊn]), and was going to begin again(and was about to start the game again [ənd wɑz goʊɪŋ tɪ bɪˈgɪn əˈgɛn]), it was very provoking(it was very annoying or irritating [ɪt wɑz ˈvɛri prəˈvoʊkɪŋ]) to find(to discover [tɪ faɪnd]) that the hedgehog had unrolled itself(that the hedgehog had straightened out its body [ðət ðə ˈhɛˌʤhɑg hæd ˌənˈroʊld ˌɪtˈsɛlf]), and was in the act of crawling away(and was in the process of moving away slowly on its belly [ənd wɑz ɪn ðə ækt əv ˈkrɔlɪŋ əˈweɪ]): besides all this(in addition to everything mentioned before [ˌbiˈsaɪdz ɔl ðɪs]), there was generally(there was usually [ðɛr wɑz ˈʤɛnərəli]) a ridge or furrow(a raised strip or a trench in the ground [ə rɪʤ ər fəroʊ]) in the way(obstructing the path [ɪn ðə weɪ]) wherever she wanted to send(to whatever place she wanted to direct [wɛˈrɛvər ʃi ˈwɔntɪd tɪ sɛnd]) the hedgehog to(the hedgehog [ðə ˈhɛˌʤhɑg tɪ]), and, as the doubled-up soldiers(and because the bent-over playing cards [ənd ɛz ðə doubled-up ˈsoʊlʤərz]) were always getting up(were constantly standing up [wər ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈgɪtɪŋ əp]) and walking off(and moving away [ənd ˈwɔkɪŋ ɔf]) to other parts of the ground(to different areas of the playing field [tɪ ˈəðər pɑrts əv ðə graʊnd]), Alice soon came to the conclusion(Alice quickly decided [ˈælɪs sun keɪm tɪ ðə kənˈkluʒən]) that it was(that the game was [ðət ɪt wɑz]) a very difficult game indeed(a truly challenging game [ə ˈvɛri ˈdɪfəkəlt geɪm ˌɪnˈdid]).