Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 48

The Duchess took her choice, and was gone in a moment.

• The Duchess: A noblewoman holding the title of Duchess [ðə ˈdəʧəs]
• took her choice: Made her decision [tʊk hər ʧɔɪs]
• and was gone: left the place [ənd wɑz gɔn]
• in a moment: very quickly; almost immediately. [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]

'Let's go on with the game,' the Queen said to Alice; and Alice was too much frightened to say a word, but slowly followed her back to the croquet-ground.

• Let's: contraction of 'let us', suggesting a course of action [lɛts]
• go on: continue [goʊ ɔn]
• with the game: to proceed with the activity or competition [wɪθ ðə geɪm]
• the Queen: The female monarch or ruler [ðə kwin]
• said: Spoke [sɛd]
• to Alice: Addressing Alice [tɪ ˈælɪs]
• and Alice: Referring to Alice [ənd ˈælɪs]
• was too much frightened: was extremely scared [wɑz tu məʧ ˈfraɪtənd]
• to say a word: unable to speak due to fear [tɪ seɪ ə wərd]
• but slowly: but in a slow manner [bət sˈloʊli]
• followed: went after or came behind [ˈfɑloʊd]
• her: referring to the Queen [hər]
• back to: returning to [bæk tɪ]
• the croquet-ground: the area where the game of croquet is played. [ðə croquet-ground]

The other guests had taken advantage of the Queen's absence, and were resting in the shade: however, the moment they saw her, they hurried back to the game, the Queen merely remarking that a moment's delay would cost them their lives.

• The other guests: The remaining people who were invited or present [ðə ˈəðər gɛsts]
• had taken advantage: had made use of an opportunity [hæd ˈteɪkən ædˈvæntɪʤ]
• of the Queen's absence: while the Queen was not present [əv ðə kwinz ˈæbsəns]
• and were resting: and were relaxing [ənd wər ˈrɛstɪŋ]
• in the shade: in an area protected from direct sunlight [ɪn ðə ʃeɪd]
• however: Nevertheless; despite this [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• the moment: as soon as [ðə ˈmoʊmənt]
• they saw her: they noticed the Queen [ðeɪ sɔ hər]
• they hurried back: they quickly returned [ðeɪ ˈhərid bæk]
• to the game: to the activity or competition [tɪ ðə geɪm]
• the Queen: The female monarch or ruler [ðə kwin]
• merely remarking: simply stating [ˈmɪrli rɪˈmɑrkɪŋ]
• that a moment's delay: that even a short pause [ðət ə ˈmoʊmənts dɪˈleɪ]
• would cost them: would result in them losing [wʊd kɔst ðɛm]
• their lives: their existence; they would be killed. [ðɛr lɪvz]

All the time they were playing the Queen never left off quarrelling with the other players, and shouting 'Off with his head!' or 'Off with her head!' Those whom she sentenced were taken into custody by the soldiers, who of course had to leave off being arches to do this, so that by the end of half an hour or so there were no arches left, and all the players, except the King, the Queen, and Alice, were in custody and under sentence of execution.

• All the time: During the entire period; throughout the duration [ɔl ðə taɪm]
• they were playing: referring to the act of participating in a game or activity [ðeɪ wər pleɪɪŋ]
• the Queen: a female monarch; in this context, a character in the story [ðə kwin]
• never left off: never stopped; continued without ceasing [ˈnɛvər lɛft ɔf]
• quarrelling: engaging in an argument or disagreement [quarrelling]
• with the other players: involving the other participants in the game [wɪθ ðə ˈəðər pleɪərz]
• and shouting: and yelling loudly [ənd ˈʃaʊtɪŋ]
• Off with his head: a phrase indicating a command to behead someone, often used as a threat [ɔf wɪθ hɪz hɛd]
• Those whom she sentenced: referring to the people whom the Queen condemned or gave a punishment to [ðoʊz hum ʃi ˈsɛntənst]
• were taken into custody: were arrested or imprisoned [wər ˈteɪkən ˈɪntu ˈkəstədi]
• by the soldiers: by the military personnel [baɪ ðə ˈsoʊlʤərz]
• who of course: as expected; naturally [hu əv kɔrs]
• had to leave off: had to stop [hæd tɪ liv ɔf]
• being arches: performing the role of arches in the game [biɪŋ ˈɑrʧɪz]
• to do this: in order to carry out the arrest [tɪ du ðɪs]
• so that: as a result; therefore [soʊ ðət]
• by the end of half an hour or so: after approximately thirty minutes [baɪ ðə ɛnd əv hæf ən aʊər ər soʊ]
• there were no arches left: none of the players were acting as arches anymore [ðɛr wər noʊ ˈɑrʧɪz lɛft]
• and all the players: every participant in the game [ənd ɔl ðə pleɪərz]
• except the King, the Queen, and Alice: excluding these three characters [ɪkˈsɛpt ðə kɪŋ ðə kwin ənd ˈælɪs]
• were in custody: were imprisoned [wər ɪn ˈkəstədi]
• and under sentence of execution: and awaiting to be killed [ənd ˈəndər ˈsɛntəns əv ˌɛksəˈkjuʃən]

Then the Queen left off, quite out of breath, and said to Alice, 'Have you seen the Mock Turtle yet?'

• Then: Following that; after that [ðɛn]
• the Queen: a female monarch; in this context, a character in the story [ðə kwin]
• left off: stopped; ceased [lɛft ɔf]
• quite out of breath: very breathless; panting [kwaɪt aʊt əv brɛθ]
• and said to Alice: and spoke to the character Alice [ənd sɛd tɪ ˈælɪs]
• Have you seen: a question asking if Alice has encountered or observed [hæv ju sin]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character called the Mock Turtle [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• yet: up until this point in time [jɛt]

'No,' said Alice. 'I don't even know what a Mock Turtle is.'

• No: Expression of negation or disagreement [noʊ]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: Name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [aɪ]
• don't: Contraction of 'do not', used for negation [doʊnt]
• even: Used to emphasize the lack of knowledge [ˈivɪn]
• know: To have knowledge or understanding of something [noʊ]
• what: Used to ask for specific information [wət]
• a Mock Turtle: A fictional creature, part turtle and part other animal, in the story [ə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• is: Form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or identity [ɪz]

'It's the thing Mock Turtle Soup is made from,' said the Queen.

• It's: Contraction of 'it is', referring to the Mock Turtle [ɪts]
• the thing: Referring to the Mock Turtle [ðə θɪŋ]
• Mock Turtle Soup: A fictional soup made from the Mock Turtle [mɑk ˈtərtəl sup]
• is made from: Indicates the source or ingredient of the soup [ɪz meɪd frəm]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Queen: Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]

'I never saw one, or heard of one,' said Alice.

• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to Alice [aɪ]
• never: At no time in the past [ˈnɛvər]
• saw: Past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• one: Referring to the Mock Turtle [wən]
• or: Used to introduce an alternative [ər]
• heard of: To have received information about something [hərd əv]
• one: Referring to the Mock Turtle [wən]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: Name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]

'Come on, then,' said the Queen, 'and he shall tell you his history,'

• Come on: An expression of encouragement or urging someone to do something [kəm ɔn]
• then: Indicates a sequence or consequence [ðɛn]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Queen: Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]
• and: Used to connect two clauses [ənd]
• he: Pronoun referring to the Mock Turtle [hi]
• shall: Auxiliary verb indicating future action or determination [ʃæl]
• tell: To communicate information [tɛl]
• you: Pronoun referring to Alice [ju]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to the Mock Turtle [hɪz]
• history: An account of past events in the Mock Turtle's life [ˈhɪstəri]

As they walked off together, Alice heard the King say in a low voice, to the company generally, 'You are all pardoned.' 'Come, THAT'S a good thing!' she said to herself, for she had felt quite unhappy at the number of executions the Queen had ordered.

• As: Conjunction indicating time or manner [ɛz]
• they: Pronoun referring to Alice and the Queen [ðeɪ]
• walked off: To leave or depart on foot [wɔkt ɔf]
• together: In each other's company [təˈgɛðər]
• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• heard: Past tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive with the ears [hərd]
• the King: Referring to the King character [ðə kɪŋ]
• say: To utter words [seɪ]
• in a low voice: Speaking quietly [ɪn ə loʊ vɔɪs]
• to the company: A group of people present [tɪ ðə ˈkəmpəˌni]
• generally: In a way that applies to everyone [ˈʤɛnərəli]
• You: Pronoun referring to the company [ju]
• are: Form of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• all: Every member of a group [ɔl]
• pardoned: To be forgiven for an offense [ˈpɑrdənd]
• Come: An expression of encouragement or urging [kəm]
• THAT'S: Contraction of 'that is', referring to the pardon [ðæts]
• a good thing: A positive statement about the pardon [ə gʊd θɪŋ]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• to herself: Speaking silently to oneself [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• for: Conjunction indicating reason [fər]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• had felt: Past perfect tense of 'feel', indicating a past emotion [hæd fɛlt]
• quite: To a considerable extent [kwaɪt]
• unhappy: Feeling sadness or discontent [ənˈhæpi]
• at: Preposition indicating cause [æt]
• the number: The quantity of something [ðə ˈnəmbər]
• of executions: The act of putting someone to death [əv ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənz]
• the Queen: Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]
• had ordered: To have given an instruction or command [hæd ˈɔrdərd]

They very soon came upon a Gryphon, lying fast asleep in the sun. (IF you don't know what a Gryphon is, look at the picture.) 'Up, lazy thing!' said the Queen, 'and take this young lady to see the Mock Turtle, and to hear his history.

• They: Pronoun referring to Alice and the Queen [ðeɪ]
• very soon: Happening quickly [ˈvɛri sun]
• came upon: To find or encounter unexpectedly [keɪm əˈpɑn]
• a Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ə gryphon]
• lying: To be in a horizontal position [laɪɪŋ]
• fast asleep: Sleeping deeply [fæst əsˈlip]
• in the sun: Exposed to sunlight [ɪn ðə sən]
• IF: Conditional conjunction [(ɪf]
• you: Second person pronoun [ju]
• don't: Contraction of 'do not' [doʊnt]
• know: To have knowledge of [noʊ]
• what: Used to ask for specific information [wət]
• a Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ə gryphon]
• is: Form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• look at: To direct one's gaze towards [lʊk æt]
• the picture: A visual representation [ðə ˈpɪkʧər)]
• Up: An exclamation to stand up [əp]
• lazy: Unwilling to work or use energy [ˈleɪzi]
• thing: Used to refer to an object or creature [θɪŋ]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Queen: Referring to the Queen character [ðə kwin]
• and: Used to connect two clauses [ənd]
• take: To carry or escort [teɪk]
• this: Demonstrative pronoun indicating proximity [ðɪs]
• young lady: A polite term for a girl or young woman [jəŋ ˈleɪdi]
• to see: To look at or observe [tɪ si]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional creature, part turtle and part other animal, in the story [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• and: Used to connect two clauses [ənd]
• to hear: To perceive with the ears [tɪ hir]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to the Mock Turtle [hɪz]
• history: An account of past events in the Mock Turtle's life [ˈhɪstəri]

I must go back and see after some executions I have ordered'; and she walked off, leaving Alice alone with the Gryphon.

• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to the Queen [aɪ]
• must: Expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
• go back: To return to a previous location [goʊ bæk]
• and see after: To take care of or attend to [ənd si ˈæftər]
• some executions: The act of putting someone to death [səm ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənz]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to the Queen [aɪ]
• have ordered: To have given an instruction or command [hæv ˈɔrdərd]
• and: Used to connect two clauses [ənd]
• she: Pronoun referring to the Queen [ʃi]
• walked off: To leave or depart on foot [wɔkt ɔf]
• leaving: To cause to remain [ˈlivɪŋ]
• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• alone: Without anyone else present [əˈloʊn]
• with: In the company of [wɪθ]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]

Alice did not quite like the look of the creature, but on the whole she thought it would be quite as safe to stay with it as to go after that savage Queen: so she waited.

• Alice: Name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• did not: Contraction of 'did not' [dɪd nɑt]
• quite: To a certain extent [kwaɪt]
• like: To find agreeable or enjoyable [laɪk]
• the look: The appearance [ðə lʊk]
• of the creature: A living being [əv ðə ˈkriʧər]
• but: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• on the whole: Considering everything [ɔn ðə hoʊl]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion [θɔt]
• it: Pronoun referring to being with the Gryphon [ɪt]
• would be: Conditional form of 'to be' [wʊd bi]
• quite: To a considerable extent [kwaɪt]
• as safe: Protected from harm [ɛz seɪf]
• to stay: To remain in a place [tɪ steɪ]
• with it: Referring to the Gryphon [wɪθ ɪt]
• as: Used to make a comparison [ɛz]
• to go: To move or travel [tɪ goʊ]
• after: Following or pursuing [ˈæftər]
• that: Demonstrative pronoun indicating distance [ðət]
• savage: Fierce, violent, and uncontrolled [ˈsævɪʤ]
• Queen: Referring to the Queen character [kwin]
• so: Therefore [soʊ]
• she: Pronoun referring to Alice [ʃi]
• waited: To remain in place until something happens [ˈweɪtɪd]