Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 45

When she got back to the Cheshire Cat, she was surprised to find quite a large crowd collected round it: there was a dispute going on between the executioner, the King, and the Queen, who were all talking at once, while all the rest were quite silent, and looked very uncomfortable.

• When: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• she: referring to a female person previously mentioned or known [ʃi]
• got back: returned to a place [gɑt bæk]
• to: expressing direction or location [tɪ]
• the Cheshire Cat: a fictional cat known for its distinctive mischievous grin [ðə ˈʧɛʃər kæt]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was surprised: felt or showed astonishment or wonder [wɑz səˈpraɪzd]
• to find: to discover or come upon something [tɪ faɪnd]
• quite a large crowd: a considerable number of people gathered together [kwaɪt ə lɑrʤ kraʊd]
• collected: gathered together; assembled [kəˈlɛktəd]
• round: surrounding; encircling [raʊnd]
• it: referring to the Cheshire Cat [ɪt]
• there: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• a dispute: an argument or disagreement [ə dɪˈspjut]
• going on: taking place; happening [goʊɪŋ ɔn]
• between: in the space separating two or more things [bɪtˈwin]
• the executioner: the official who carries out a sentence of death [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər]
• the King: a male monarch; the ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the Queen: a female monarch; the wife of a king [ðə kwin]
• who: referring to the executioner, the King, and the Queen [hu]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• all: every one of a group [ɔl]
• talking: speaking [ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• at once: simultaneously; at the same time [æt wəns]
• while: during the time that; at the same time as [waɪl]
• all: the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]
• the rest: the remaining people or things [ðə rɛst]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• quite silent: completely quiet; making no sound [kwaɪt ˈsaɪlənt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• looked: appeared; seemed [lʊkt]
• very uncomfortable: feeling or causing unease or awkwardness [ˈvɛri ənˈkəmfərtəbəl]

The moment Alice appeared, she was appealed to by all three to settle the question, and they repeated their arguments to her, though, as they all spoke at once, she found it very hard indeed to make out exactly what they said.

• The moment: at the precise time that [ðə ˈmoʊmənt]
• Alice: name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• appeared: became visible or noticeable [əˈpɪrd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• was appealed to: was asked earnestly or formally for help or a decision [wɑz əˈpild tɪ]
• by: expressing agency or involvement [baɪ]
• all three: the total of three people or things [ɔl θri]
• to settle: to resolve or decide (a dispute or question [tɪ ˈsɛtəl]
• the question: a matter or subject for discussion or uncertainty [ðə kˈwɛʃən]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• they: referring to the executioner, the King, and the Queen [ðeɪ]
• repeated: said or did again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• their arguments: reasons or sets of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong [ðɛr ˈɑrgjəmənts]
• to her: to Alice [tɪ hər]
• though: despite the fact that; although [ðoʊ]
• as: while; when [ɛz]
• they: referring to the executioner, the King, and the Queen [ðeɪ]
• all: every one of a group [ɔl]
• spoke: past tense of 'speak'; uttered words [spoʊk]
• at once: simultaneously; at the same time [æt wəns]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• found it: experienced something as being [faʊnd ɪt]
• very hard: difficult; requiring great effort [ˈvɛri hɑrd]
• indeed: used to emphasize a statement or response [ˌɪnˈdid]
• to make out: to discern or understand something [tɪ meɪk aʊt]
• exactly: precisely; in every detail [ɪgˈzæktli]
• what: used to ask for information specifying something [wət]
• they: referring to the executioner, the King, and the Queen [ðeɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]

The executioner's argument was, that you couldn't cut off a head unless there was a body to cut it off from: that he had never had to do such a thing before, and he wasn't going to begin at HIS time of life.

• The executioner's argument: The reasoning or justification presented by the executioner, the person responsible for carrying out executions [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənərz ˈɑrgjəmənt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the argument [ðət]
• you couldn't cut off a head: one is not able to sever a head from a body [ju ˈkʊdənt kət ɔf ə hɛd]
• unless: except if; if not [ənˈlɛs]
• there was a body: if a body existed [ðɛr wɑz ə ˈbɑdi]
• to cut it off from: to sever the head from the body [tɪ kət ɪt ɔf frəm]
• that: introduces another clause explaining the executioner's argument [ðət]
• he had never had to do such a thing before: the executioner had never been in a situation where he had to behead something without a body [hi hæd ˈnɛvər hæd tɪ du səʧ ə θɪŋ ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he wasn't going to begin: the executioner was not intending to start [hi ˈwəzənt goʊɪŋ tɪ bɪˈgɪn]
• at HIS time of life: at his age; late in his career [æt hɪz taɪm əv laɪf]

The King's argument was, that anything that had a head could be beheaded, and that you weren't to talk nonsense.

• The King's argument: The reasoning or justification presented by the King [ðə kɪŋz ˈɑrgjəmənt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the argument [ðət]
• anything that had a head: any object or creature possessing a head [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ðət hæd ə hɛd]
• could be beheaded: could have its head cut off [kʊd bi bɪˈhɛdɪd]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• that: introduces another clause stating the King's argument [ðət]
• you weren't to talk nonsense: one should not speak foolishly or irrationally [ju wərənt tɪ tɔk ˈnɑnsɛns]

The Queen's argument was, that if something wasn't done about it in less than no time she'd have everybody executed, all round. (It was this last remark that had made the whole party look so grave and anxious.)

• The Queen's argument: The reasoning or justification presented by the Queen [ðə kwinz ˈɑrgjəmənt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the argument [ðət]
• if something wasn't done about it: if action was not taken regarding a certain matter [ɪf ˈsəmθɪŋ ˈwəzənt dən əˈbaʊt ɪt]
• in less than no time: very quickly; immediately [ɪn lɛs ðən noʊ taɪm]
• she'd have everybody executed: she would order the execution of everyone [ʃid hæv ˈɛvriˌbɑdi ˈɛksəˌkjutɪd]
• all round: everyone present; all those involved [ɔl raʊnd]
• It was this last remark: This final statement [ɪt wɑz ðɪs læst rɪˈmɑrk]
• that had made the whole party look so grave and anxious: which caused everyone to appear serious and worried [ðət hæd meɪd ðə hoʊl ˈpɑrti lʊk soʊ greɪv ənd ˈæŋʃəs]

Alice could think of nothing else to say but 'It belongs to the Duchess: you'd better ask HER about it.'

• Alice: A proper noun, likely referring to a character's name [ˈælɪs]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]
• think of: to consider or imagine [θɪŋk əv]
• nothing else: no other thing [ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls]
• to say: to utter words [tɪ seɪ]
• but: except; only [bət]
• It: referring to something previously mentioned or understood in context [ɪt]
• belongs to: is owned by [bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ]
• the Duchess: a noblewoman holding the title of Duchess [ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• you'd: contraction of 'you would' or 'you had' [jʊd]
• better: advisable or preferable [ˈbɛtər]
• ask: to inquire or request information from someone [æsk]
• HER: objective form of 'she', referring to the Duchess [hər]
• about it: concerning the matter or thing being discussed [əˈbaʊt ɪt]

'She's in prison,' the Queen said to the executioner: 'fetch her here.'

• She's: contraction of 'she is' [ʃiz]
• in prison: confined to a correctional facility [ɪn ˈprɪzən]
• the Queen: a female monarch [ðə kwin]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• to: indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]
• the executioner: a person who carries out death sentences [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər]
• fetch: go and get something or someone [fɛʧ]
• her: referring to the Queen [hər]
• here: to this place [hir]

And the executioner went off like an arrow.

• And: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the executioner: a person who carries out death sentences [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər]
• went off: departed quickly [wɛnt ɔf]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• an arrow: a projectile shot from a bow, known for its speed and directness [ən ˈɛroʊ]

The Cat's head began fading away the moment he was gone, and,

• The Cat's head: Referring to the head of a cat, likely a character [ðə kæts hɛd]
• began: started [bɪˈgæn]
• fading away: gradually disappearing [ˈfeɪdɪŋ əˈweɪ]
• the moment: as soon as [ðə ˈmoʊmənt]
• he: referring to the cat [hi]
• was gone: had left [wɑz gɔn]
• and: conjunction connecting clauses [ənd]

by the time he had come back with the Duchess, it had entirely

• by the time: at the point when [baɪ ðə taɪm]
• he: referring to someone previously mentioned [hi]
• had come back: returned [hæd kəm bæk]
• with: in the company of [wɪθ]
• the Duchess: a noblewoman holding the title of Duchess [ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• it: referring to the Cat's head [ɪt]
• had entirely: completely [hæd ɪnˈtaɪərli]

disappeared; so the King and the executioner ran wildly up and down

• disappeared: vanished; ceased to be visible [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]
• so: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• the King: a male monarch [ðə kɪŋ]
• and: conjunction connecting words or clauses [ənd]
• the executioner: a person who carries out death sentences [ðə ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənər]
• ran: moved quickly on foot [ræn]
• wildly: in an uncontrolled or frantic manner [ˈwaɪldli]
• up and down: in both directions [əp ənd daʊn]

looking for it, while the rest of the party went back to the game.

• looking for: searching for [ˈlʊkɪŋ fər]
• it: referring to something previously mentioned, likely the Cat's head [ɪt]
• while: during the time that; whereas [waɪl]
• the rest of: the remaining part of [ðə rɛst əv]
• the party: a group of people gathered together [ðə ˈpɑrti]
• went back: returned [wɛnt bæk]
• to: indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the game: an activity or sport with rules [ðə geɪm]

CHAPTER IX.

• CHAPTER IX: Chapter nine, a section of a book [ˈʧæptər ix]

'You can't think how glad I am to see you again, you dear old thing!' said the Duchess, as she tucked her arm affectionately into Alice's, and they walked off together.

• You can't think: an emphatic way of saying that someone is extremely glad [ju kænt θɪŋk]
• how glad I am: expresses the speaker's happiness [haʊ glæd aɪ æm]
• to see you again: to meet or encounter someone after a period of separation [tɪ si ju əˈgɛn]
• you dear old thing: an affectionate and somewhat humorous way to address someone, implying fondness and familiarity [ju dɪr oʊld θɪŋ]
• said the Duchess: indicates who is speaking [sɛd ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• as she tucked her arm affectionately: describes the Duchess's action of placing her arm in a loving manner [ɛz ʃi təkt hər ɑrm əˈfɛkʃənətli]
• into Alice's: specifies whose arm the Duchess is tucking her arm into [ˈɪntu ˈælɪsəz]
• and they walked off together: indicates that the Duchess and Alice left the place side by side [ənd ðeɪ wɔkt ɔf təˈgɛðər]

Alice was very glad to find her in such a pleasant temper, and thought to herself that perhaps it was only the pepper that had made her so savage when they met in the kitchen.

• Alice was very glad: Alice felt happy [ˈælɪs wɑz ˈvɛri glæd]
• to find her: referring to the Duchess [tɪ faɪnd hər]
• in such a pleasant temper: in a good mood or disposition [ɪn səʧ ə ˈplɛzənt ˈtɛmpər]
• and thought to herself: Alice was thinking [ənd θɔt tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• that perhaps it was only the pepper: suggesting that the pepper was the sole cause [ðət pərˈhæps ɪt wɑz ˈoʊnli ðə ˈpɛpər]
• that had made her so savage: that had caused the Duchess to be so fierce or ill-tempered [ðət hæd meɪd hər soʊ ˈsævɪʤ]
• when they met in the kitchen: referring to a previous encounter in the kitchen [wɪn ðeɪ mɛt ɪn ðə ˈkɪʧən]

'When I'M a Duchess,' she said to herself, (not in a very hopeful tone though), 'I won't have any pepper in my kitchen AT ALL.

• When I'M a Duchess: When I am a Duchess, expressing a future aspiration [wɪn əm ə ˈdəʧəs]
• she said to herself: she thought [ʃi sɛd tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• not in a very hopeful tone though: an aside indicating the speaker's lack of confidence [(nɑt ɪn ə ˈvɛri ˈhoʊpfəl toʊn ðoʊ)]
• I won't have any pepper: I will not allow pepper [aɪ woʊnt hæv ˈɛni ˈpɛpər]
• in my kitchen AT ALL: emphasizing the complete absence of pepper [ɪn maɪ ˈkɪʧən æt ɔl]

Soup does very well without—Maybe it's always pepper that makes people hot-tempered,' she went on, very much pleased at having found out a new kind of rule, 'and vinegar that makes them sour—and camomile that makes them bitter—and—and barley-sugar and such things that make children sweet-tempered.

• Soup does very well without: Soup is good even without pepper [sup dɪz ˈvɛri wɛl wɪˈθaʊt]
• Maybe it's always pepper: Perhaps pepper is always the reason [-ˈmeɪbi ɪts ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈpɛpər]
• that makes people hot-tempered: that causes people to become easily angered [ðət meɪks ˈpipəl hot-tempered]
• she went on: she continued speaking [ʃi wɛnt ɔn]
• very much pleased: very happy [ˈvɛri məʧ plizd]
• at having found out a new kind of rule: for discovering a new principle or idea [æt ˈhævɪŋ faʊnd aʊt ə nu kaɪnd əv rul]
• and vinegar that makes them sour: and vinegar that causes them to be bitter or unpleasant [ənd ˈvɪnəgər ðət meɪks ðɛm saʊər]
• and camomile that makes them bitter: and camomile that causes them to be resentful or acrimonious [-ənd camomile ðət meɪks ðɛm ˈbɪtər]
• and—and barley-sugar and such things: and barley-sugar and similar items [-and-and barley-sugar ənd səʧ θɪŋz]
• that make children sweet-tempered: that cause children to be good-natured [ðət meɪk ˈʧɪldrən sweet-tempered]