Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 50

'We called him Tortoise because he taught us,' said the Mock Turtle angrily: 'really you are very dull!'

• We: first-person plural pronoun, referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• called: past tense of 'call', meaning to give a name or refer to someone as [kɔld]
• him: referring to a male person or character previously mentioned [ɪm]
• Tortoise: a slow-moving reptile with a shell; here, used as a name [ˈtɔrtəs]
• because: introducing a reason or explanation [bɪˈkəz]
• he taught: past tense of 'teach', meaning to impart knowledge or skills [hi tɔt]
• us: first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the group being taught [ˈjuˈɛs]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character; 'Mock' implies imitation or fake [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• angrily: in an angry manner [ˈæŋgrəli]
• really: used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis [ˈrɪli]
• you are: second-person singular or plural pronoun 'you' with the verb 'are' [ju ər]
• very dull: not intelligent or interesting [ˈvɛri dəl]

'You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a simple question,' added the Gryphon; and then they both sat silent and looked at poor Alice, who felt ready to sink into the earth. At last the Gryphon said to the Mock Turtle, 'Drive on, old fellow!

• You: second-person singular or plural pronoun [ju]
• ought to be: expressing moral obligation or advisability [ɔt tɪ bi]
• ashamed: feeling shame or embarrassment [əˈʃeɪmd]
• of yourself: referring to the person being addressed [əv ˈjɔrsɛlf]
• for asking: giving a reason for the shame, which is the act of asking [fər ˈæskɪŋ]
• such a simple question: describing the question as easy or obvious [səʧ ə ˈsɪmpəl kˈwɛʃən]
• added: past tense of 'add', indicating that someone is contributing to the conversation [ˈædɪd]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]
• and then: indicating a sequence of events [ənd ðɛn]
• they: third-person plural pronoun, referring to the Gryphon and another character [ðeɪ]
• both: referring to two individuals or things together [boʊθ]
• sat: past tense of 'sit', meaning to be in a seated position [sæt]
• silent: not speaking [ˈsaɪlənt]
• and: connecting two actions or states [ənd]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]
• at: preposition indicating direction [æt]
• poor Alice: expressing sympathy for Alice [pur ˈælɪs]
• who: relative pronoun referring to Alice [hu]
• felt: past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• ready: prepared or willing [ˈrɛdi]
• to sink: to descend or disappear [tɪ sɪŋk]
• into: preposition indicating movement or direction inward [ˈɪntu]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• to: preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character; 'Mock' implies imitation or fake [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• Drive on: to continue moving or progressing [draɪv ɔn]
• old fellow: an informal term of address, often used for a man [oʊld ˈfɛloʊ]

'Yes, we went to school in the sea, though you mayn't believe it—'

• Yes: affirmative response [jɛs]
• we: first-person plural pronoun [wi]
• went: past tense of 'go', meaning to travel or move [wɛnt]
• to school: a place of education [tɪ skul]
• in the sea: location of the school [ɪn ðə si]
• though: conjunction introducing a contrast or concession [ðoʊ]
• you mayn't: contraction of 'you may not', expressing possibility or permission [ju maynt]
• believe: to accept as true or real [bɪˈliv]
• it: referring to the statement that they went to school in the sea [ɪt-]

'I never said I didn't!' interrupted Alice.

• I never said I didn't: Alice is quoting herself, emphasizing that she never denied something [aɪ ˈnɛvər sɛd aɪ ˈdɪdənt]
• interrupted: broke into someone else's speech [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]

'You did,' said the Mock Turtle.

• You did: The Mock Turtle is asserting that Alice did say something [ju dɪd]
• said: The Mock Turtle is speaking [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]

'Hold your tongue!' added the Gryphon, before Alice could speak again.

• Hold your tongue: An idiom meaning 'be quiet' or 'stop talking' [hoʊld jʊr təŋ]
• added: The Gryphon is speaking [ˈædɪd]
• the Gryphon: the name of the character speaking [ðə gryphon]
• before: earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• could: past tense of can, expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]
• speak: to say something [spik]
• again: one more time [əˈgɛn]

The Mock Turtle went on.

• The Mock Turtle: the name of the character [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• went on: continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]

'We had the best of educations—in fact, we went to school every day—'

• We: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• had: past tense of 'have', meaning possessed or experienced [hæd]
• the best of: the highest quality or most excellent [ðə bɛst əv]
• educations: the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction [ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃənz]
• in fact: used to emphasize the truth of a statement [ɪn fækt]
• we: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• went to: past tense of 'go to', meaning attended [wɛnt tɪ]
• school: an institution for educating children [skul]
• every day: each day; daily [ˈɛvəri deɪ]

'I'VE been to a day-school, too,' said Alice; 'you needn't be so proud as all that.'

• I'VE: contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]
• been to: past participle of 'go to', meaning visited or attended [bɪn tɪ]
• a day-school: a school where students attend during the day but do not live there [ə day-school]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• said: Alice is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• you needn't: contraction of 'you need not', meaning you don't have to [ju ˈnidənt]
• be: to exist or to be in a particular state [bi]
• so proud: having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself [soʊ praʊd]
• as all that: to that extent; so much [ɛz ɔl ðət]

'With extras?' asked the Mock Turtle a little anxiously.

• With extras: asking if there were additional subjects or activities beyond the standard curriculum [wɪθ ˈɛkstrəz]
• asked: The Mock Turtle is speaking [æst]
• the Mock Turtle: the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• a little: slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• anxiously: in a worried or concerned manner [ˈæŋkʃəsli]

'Yes,' said Alice, 'we learned French and music.'

• Yes: affirmative response [jɛs]
• said: Alice is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• we: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• learned: past tense of 'learn', meaning acquired knowledge or skill [ˈlərnɪd]
• French: the French language [frɛnʧ]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• music: the art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre [mˈjuzɪk]

'And washing?' said the Mock Turtle.

• And washing: questioning if washing was also a subject learned [ənd ˈwɑʃɪŋ]
• said: The Mock Turtle is speaking [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: the name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]

'Certainly not!' said Alice indignantly.

• Certainly not: emphatic denial; definitely not [ˈsərtənli nɑt]
• said: Alice is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• indignantly: in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair [ˌɪnˈdɪgnənˌtli]

'Ah!

• Ah: An exclamation of surprise, realization, or understanding [ɑ]

then yours wasn't a really good school,' said the Mock Turtle in a tone of great relief.

• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• yours: belonging to you; your school [jʊrz]
• wasn't: was not; contraction of 'was not' [ˈwəzənt]
• a really good school: a school that is genuinely excellent or high-quality [ə ˈrɪli gʊd skul]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• in a tone of great relief: expressing a feeling of comfort and ease after anxiety or distress [ɪn ə toʊn əv greɪt rɪˈlif]

'You couldn't have wanted it much,' said Alice; 'living at the bottom of the sea.'

• You: referring to Alice [ju]
• couldn't: could not; contraction of 'could not' [ˈkʊdənt]
• have wanted: to have desired or needed something [hæv ˈwɔntɪd]
• it: referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ɪt]
• much: to a great extent or degree [məʧ]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]
• Alice: the main character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]
• living: residing; dwelling [ˈlɪvɪŋ]
• at the bottom of the sea: at the lowest part of the ocean [æt ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə si]

'I couldn't afford to learn it.' said the Mock Turtle with a sigh.

• I: referring to the Mock Turtle [aɪ]
• couldn't: could not; contraction of 'could not' [ˈkʊdənt]
• afford: have enough money to pay for something [əˈfɔrd]
• to learn: to acquire knowledge or skill in something [tɪ lərn]
• it: referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ɪt]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• with a sigh: expressing sadness, relief, or weariness [wɪθ ə saɪ]

'What was that?' inquired Alice.

• What: asking for information about something [wət]
• was: past tense of 'be'; existed as [wɑz]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ðət]
• inquired: asked; questioned [ˌɪnkˈwaɪərd]
• Alice: the main character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ˈælɪs]

'Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied; 'and then the different branches of Arithmetic—Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.'

• Reeling: staggering or swaying [ˈrilɪŋ]
• and: connecting two related words or phrases [ənd]
• Writhing: twisting or squirming [ˈrɪθɪŋ]
• of course: naturally; as expected [əv kɔrs]
• to begin with: as a starting point [tɪ bɪˈgɪn wɪθ]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• replied: answered [rɪˈplaɪd]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• then: after that [ðɛn]
• the different branches: various subcategories or areas [ðə ˈdɪfərənt ˈbrænʧɪz]
• of Arithmetic: the study of numbers and calculations [əv ˌɛrɪθˈmɛtɪk]
• Ambition: a strong desire or determination to achieve something [æmˈbɪʃən]
• Distraction: something that diverts attention [dɪˈstrækʃən]
• Uglification: the process of making something ugly [uglification]
• and: connecting the last two items in a list [ənd]
• Derision: contemptuous ridicule or mockery [dərˈɪʒən]

'I never heard of "Uglification,"' Alice ventured to say. 'What is it?'

• I: Alice speaking, using the first person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• never heard of: have not ever been informed or aware of [ˈnɛvər hərd əv]
• Uglification: the act or process of making something ugly [uglification]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• ventured to say: dared or risked saying something [ˈvɛnʧərd tɪ seɪ]
• What is it: a question asking for the definition or explanation of "Uglification" [wət ɪz ɪt]

The Gryphon lifted up both its paws in surprise. 'What!

• The Gryphon: a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion [ðə gryphon]
• lifted up: raised [ˈlɪftɪd əp]
• both its paws: referring to the Gryphon's two front feet [boʊθ ɪts pɔz]
• in surprise: showing astonishment or amazement [ɪn səˈpraɪz]
• What: an exclamation of shock or disbelief [wət]

'Yes,' said Alice doubtfully: 'it means—to—make—anything—prettier.'

• Yes: affirmative response from Alice [jɛs]
• said Alice: Alice is the speaker [sɛd ˈælɪs]
• doubtfully: with uncertainty or hesitation [doubtfully]
• it means—to—make—anything—prettier: Alice's definition of 'beautify', meaning to make something more attractive [ɪt means-to-make-anything-prettier]

'Well, then,' the Gryphon went on, 'if you don't know what to uglify is, you ARE a simpleton.'

• Well, then: an introductory phrase indicating a conclusion or consequence [wɛl ðɛn]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion [ðə gryphon]
• went on: continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]
• if you don't know what to uglify is: conditional clause stating that if Alice doesn't know the meaning of 'uglify' [ɪf ju doʊnt noʊ wət tɪ uglify ɪz]
• you ARE a simpleton: the Gryphon's judgement that Alice is foolish if she doesn't know what 'uglify' means [ju ər ə simpleton]

Alice did not feel encouraged to ask any more questions about it, so she turned to the Mock Turtle, and said 'What else had you to learn?'

• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• did not feel encouraged: lacked the motivation or confidence [dɪd nɑt fil ɪnˈkərəʤd]
• to ask any more questions: to inquire further [tɪ æsk ˈɛni mɔr kˈwɛsʧənz]
• about it: referring to the topic of uglification [əˈbaʊt ɪt]
• so she turned to: changed her attention to [soʊ ʃi tərnd tɪ]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• and said: and then she spoke [ənd sɛd]
• What else: what other things [wət ɛls]
• had you to learn: what other things did you have to learn [hæd ju tɪ lərn]