Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 51

'Well, there was Mystery,' the Mock Turtle replied, counting off the subjects on his flappers, '—Mystery, ancient and modern, with Seaography: then Drawling—the Drawling-master was an old conger-eel, that used to come once a week: HE taught us Drawling, Stretching, and Fainting in Coils.'

• Well: An introductory word, often used to start a sentence or a response in conversation. [wɛl]
• there: Indicates the existence or presence of something. [ðɛr]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or a state of being in the past. [wɑz]
• Mystery: A subject or topic that is unknown, unexplained, or difficult to understand. [ˈmɪstəri]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• replied: Answered; responded in words. [rɪˈplaɪd]
• counting off: Enumerating or listing items one by one. [ˈkaʊntɪŋ ɔf]
• the subjects: The topics or areas of study. [ðə ˈsəbʤɪkts]
• on his flappers: Referring to the Mock Turtle's appendages, likely resembling fins or paddles. [ɔn hɪz ˈflæpərz]
• Mystery: Repeating the subject, 'Mystery'. [-ˈmɪstəri]
• ancient: Belonging to the distant past. [ˈeɪnʧənt]
• and: A conjunction used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]
• modern: Relating to the present or recent times. [ˈmɑdərn]
• with: In addition to; along with. [wɪθ]
• Seaography: A play on words, combining 'sea' and 'geography', likely referring to the study of the sea. [seaography]
• then: Following in order or time. [ðɛn]
• Drawling: Speaking in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowels. [drawling]
• the Drawling-master: The teacher of Drawling. [ðə drawling-master]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]
• an old conger-eel: A type of eel, described as old. [ən oʊld conger-eel]
• that: A relative pronoun referring to the conger-eel. [ðət]
• used to come: Had a habit of coming. [juzd tɪ kəm]
• once a week: Happening one time per week. [wəns ə wik]
• HE: Referring to the Drawling-master. [hi]
• taught: Past tense of 'teach', meaning to impart knowledge or skill. [tɔt]
• us: Referring to the students. [ˈjuˈɛs]
• Drawling: Repeating the subject, 'Drawling'. [drawling]
• Stretching: Extending or elongating. [ˈstrɛʧɪŋ]
• and: A conjunction used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]
• Fainting in Coils: Passing out or losing consciousness while curled up. [ˈfeɪntɪŋ ɪn kɔɪlz]

'What was THAT like?' said Alice.

• What: Used to ask for specific information. [wət]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]
• THAT: Referring to something previously mentioned. [ðət]
• like: Similar to; resembling. [laɪk]
• said: Spoke; uttered words. [sɛd]
• Alice: The main character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. [ˈælɪs]

'Well, I can't show it you myself,' the Mock Turtle said: 'I'm too stiff. And the Gryphon never learnt it.'

• Well: An introductory word, often used to start a sentence or a response in conversation. [wɛl]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker. [aɪ]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', meaning unable to. [kænt]
• show: To allow or cause to be seen. [ʃoʊ]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned. [ɪt]
• you: Second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed. [ju]
• myself: Referring to the speaker. [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• said: Spoke; uttered words. [sɛd]
• I'm: Contraction of 'I am'. [əm]
• too: Also; excessively. [tu]
• stiff: Rigid; not flexible. [stɪf]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. [ðə gryphon]
• never: At no time; not ever. [ˈnɛvər]
• learnt: Past tense of 'learn', meaning to gain knowledge or skill. [lərnt]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned. [ɪt]

'Hadn't time,' said the Gryphon: 'I went to the Classics master, though. He was an old crab, HE was.'

• Hadn't: Contraction of 'had not'. [ˈhædənt]
• time: The measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; opportunity. [taɪm]
• said: Spoke; uttered words. [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. [ðə gryphon]
• I: First-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker. [aɪ]
• went: Past tense of 'go', meaning to move or travel. [wɛnt]
• to: Expressing direction or purpose. [tɪ]
• the Classics master: The teacher of classical subjects, such as Latin and Greek. [ðə ˈklæsɪks ˈmæstər]
• though: Despite the fact that; although. [ðoʊ]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]
• an old crab: A crustacean, described as old. [ən oʊld kræb]
• HE: Referring to the Classics master. [hi]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]

'I never went to him,' the Mock Turtle said with a sigh: 'he taught Laughing and Grief, they used to say.'

• I never went to him: Direct quote indicating the speaker never approached the person being discussed. [aɪ ˈnɛvər wɛnt tɪ ɪm]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character, part turtle, part mock (imitation). [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• with a sigh: An audible exhalation of breath, often expressing sadness, relief, or fatigue. [wɪθ ə saɪ]
• he taught: Referring to the person who provided instruction. [hi tɔt]
• Laughing: The act of making sounds and movements of the face showing amusement. [ˈlæfɪŋ]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related nouns. [ənd]
• Grief: Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death. [grif]
• they used to say: Indicates a common belief or rumor in the past. [ðeɪ juzd tɪ seɪ]

'So he did, so he did,' said the Gryphon, sighing in his turn; and both creatures hid their faces in their paws.

• So he did, so he did: Agreement or affirmation of a previous statement. [soʊ hi dɪd soʊ hi dɪd]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. [ðə gryphon]
• sighing: Emitting a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, weariness, or relief. [saɪɪŋ]
• in his turn: One after another; each taking a turn to do something. [ɪn hɪz tərn]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related clauses. [ənd]
• both creatures: Referring to the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon. [boʊθ ˈkriʧərz]
• hid: Past tense of 'hide', meaning to conceal or cover. [hɪd]
• their faces: The front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin. [ðɛr ˈfeɪsɪz]
• in their paws: The feet of an animal having claws. [ɪn ðɛr pɔz]

'And how many hours a day did you do lessons?' said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.

• And: Used to introduce a further question or statement. [ənd]
• how many hours: Refers to the duration of time, measured in units of 60 minutes. [haʊ ˈmɛni aʊərz]
• a day: Each 24-hour period. [ə deɪ]
• did you do lessons: Question about the amount of time spent studying or learning. [dɪd ju du ˈlɛsənz]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• Alice: A proper noun, the name of the character. [ˈælɪs]
• in a hurry: Acting with haste or urgency. [ɪn ə ˈhəri]
• to change the subject: To shift the conversation to a different topic. [tɪ ʧeɪnʤ ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt]

'Ten hours the first day,' said the Mock Turtle: 'nine the next, and so on.'

• Ten hours: A duration of ten hours. [tɛn aʊərz]
• the first day: The initial day of a period. [ðə fərst deɪ]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: A fictional character, part turtle, part mock (imitation). [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• nine the next: A duration of nine hours on the subsequent day. [naɪn ðə nɛkst]
• and so on: Continuing in the same manner. [ənd soʊ ɔn]

'What a curious plan!' exclaimed Alice.

• What a curious plan: An exclamation expressing surprise or interest in a strange or unusual arrangement. [wət ə ˈkjʊriəs plæn]
• exclaimed: Spoke suddenly and emphatically. [ɪkˈskleɪmd]
• Alice: A proper noun, the name of the character. [ˈælɪs]

'That's the reason they're called lessons,' the Gryphon remarked: 'because they lessen from day to day.'

• That's: Contraction of 'that is', referring to a previously mentioned fact or situation. [ðæts]
• the reason: The cause or explanation for something. [ðə ˈrizən]
• they're called lessons: The name given to a period of learning or instruction. [ðɛr kɔld ˈlɛsənz]
• the Gryphon: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. [ðə gryphon]
• remarked: Said something as a comment. [rɪˈmɑrkt]
• because: For the reason that. [bɪˈkəz]
• they lessen: To decrease or reduce in quantity or amount. [ðeɪ ˈlɛsən]
• from day to day: Gradually, as each day passes. [frəm deɪ tɪ deɪ]

This was quite a new idea to Alice, and she thought it over a little before she made her next remark. 'Then the eleventh day must have been a holiday?'

• This: refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [wɑz]
• quite: to a considerable extent; rather [kwaɪt]
• a new idea: an idea that is novel or unfamiliar to someone [ə nu aɪˈdiə]
• to Alice: indicating who is receiving or experiencing the new idea [tɪ ˈælɪs]
• and: connecting two related thoughts or clauses [ənd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• thought it over: considered or reflected on something carefully [θɔt ɪt ˈoʊvər]
• a little: to a small extent or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• before: prior to a certain time or event [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• she made: before she expressed [ʃi meɪd]
• her next remark: the following comment or statement she made [hər nɛkst rɪˈmɑrk]
• Then: used to indicate a logical conclusion or inference [ðɛn]
• the eleventh day: the day that is the eleventh in a sequence [ðə ˈilɛvənθ deɪ]
• must have been: expressing a logical deduction about a past event [məst hæv bɪn]
• a holiday: a day of celebration or rest from work [ə ˈhɑlɪˌdeɪ]

'Of course it was,' said the Mock Turtle.

• Of course: certainly; definitely [əv kɔrs]
• it was: referring to the eleventh day being a holiday [ɪt wɑz]
• said: spoke [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: a character in the story [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]

'And how did you manage on the twelfth?' Alice went on eagerly.

• And: used to introduce an additional related point [ənd]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• did you manage: how did you cope or deal with something [dɪd ju ˈmænɪʤ]
• on the twelfth: referring to the twelfth day of the sequence [ɔn ðə twɛlfθ]
• Alice: a character in the story [ˈælɪs]
• went on: continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]
• eagerly: with enthusiasm or excitement [ˈigərli]

'That's enough about lessons,' the Gryphon interrupted in a very decided tone: 'tell her something about the games now.'

• That's enough: there has been sufficient; no more is needed [ðæts ɪˈnəf]
• about lessons: concerning the topic of lessons or education [əˈbaʊt ˈlɛsənz]
• the Gryphon: a character in the story [ðə gryphon]
• interrupted: stopped someone from speaking by saying or doing something [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]
• in a very decided tone: speaking in a firm and resolute manner [ɪn ə ˈvɛri ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd toʊn]
• tell her: inform Alice [tɛl hər]
• something: some information or story [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• about the games: concerning the topic of games or recreation [əˈbaʊt ðə geɪmz]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

CHAPTER X.

• CHAPTER X: Chapter number 10 [ˈʧæptər ɛks]

The Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and drew the back of one flapper across his eyes.

• The Mock Turtle: a character in the story [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• sighed deeply: let out a long, audible breath expressing sadness or relief [saɪd ˈdipli]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• drew: moved or pulled [dru]
• the back of one flapper: the back of one of his flippers or fins [ðə bæk əv wən ˈflæpər]
• across his eyes: over his eyes, as if wiping away tears [əˈkrɔs hɪz aɪz]

He looked at Alice, and tried to speak, but for a minute or two sobs choked his voice. 'Same as if he had a bone in his throat,' said the Gryphon: and it set to work shaking him and punching him in the back.

• He: referring to the Mock Turtle [hi]
• looked at Alice: directed his gaze towards Alice [lʊkt æt ˈælɪs]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• tried to speak: attempted to say something [traɪd tɪ spik]
• but: introducing a contrast [bət]
• for a minute or two: for a short period of time [fər ə ˈmɪnət ər tu]
• sobs: convulsive gasps of distress [sɑbz]
• choked: obstructed or blocked [ʧoʊkt]
• his voice: his ability to speak [hɪz vɔɪs]
• Same as if: similar to [seɪm ɛz ɪf]
• he had: he possessed [hi hæd]
• a bone in his throat: an idiom for being unable to speak due to emotion or difficulty [ə boʊn ɪn hɪz θroʊt]
• said: stated [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: a character in the story [ðə gryphon]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• it: referring to the Gryphon [ɪt]
• set to work: began to do something energetically [sɛt tɪ wərk]
• shaking him: moving him back and forth vigorously [ˈʃeɪkɪŋ ɪm]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• punching him: striking him with a fist [ˈpənʧɪŋ ɪm]
• in the back: on his back [ɪn ðə bæk]

'You may not have lived much under the sea—' ('I haven't,' said Alice)—'and perhaps you were never even introduced to a lobster—' (Alice began to say 'I once tasted—' but checked herself hastily, and said 'No, never') '—so you can have no idea what a delightful thing a Lobster Quadrille is!'

• You: Addressing Alice directly [ju]
• may not have lived: Expressing possibility that Alice hasn't experienced something [meɪ nɑt hæv lɪvd]
• much: To a great extent or degree [məʧ]
• under the sea: Beneath the surface of the ocean [ˈəndər ðə si-]
• I haven't: Alice's interjection indicating she hasn't lived under the sea [(aɪ ˈhævənt)]
• said: Verbal attribution [sɛd]
• Alice: Identifying the speaker [ˈælɪs)-]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• perhaps: Possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]
• you were never even introduced: Expressing possibility that Alice hasn't been acquainted with something [ju wər ˈnɛvər ˈivɪn ˌɪntrəˈdust]
• to a lobster: Specifically, a lobster [tɪ ə ˈlɑbstər]
• Alice: Identifying the speaker [(ˈælɪs]
• began to say: Started to speak [bɪˈgæn tɪ seɪ]
• I once tasted: Alice's interrupted statement about tasting something [aɪ wəns ˈteɪstɪd]
• but: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• checked herself hastily: Stopped herself quickly [ʧɛkt hərˈsɛlf ˈheɪstəli]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• said: Verbal attribution [sɛd]
• No, never: Alice's denial of ever being introduced to a lobster [noʊ ˈnɛvər)]
• so: Therefore; as a result [-soʊ]
• you can have no idea: Expressing that Alice is unable to comprehend something [ju kən hæv noʊ aɪˈdiə]
• what a delightful thing: Emphasizing how enjoyable something is [wət ə dɪˈlaɪtfəl θɪŋ]
• a Lobster Quadrille: A specific type of dance involving lobsters [ə ˈlɑbstər quadrille]
• is: Concluding statement [ɪz]