Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 55

'It's all about as curious as it can be,' said the Gryphon.

• It's: contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]
• all about: completely related to or concerned with [ɔl əˈbaʊt]
• as curious as it can be: extremely strange or odd; as strange as possible [ɛz ˈkjʊriəs ɛz ɪt kən bi]
• said: reporting clause indicating who is speaking [ sɛd]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]

'It all came different!' the Mock Turtle repeated thoughtfully. 'I should like to hear her try and repeat something now.

• It: referring to a previous topic or event [ɪt]
• all: completely [ɔl]
• came: happened; occurred [keɪm]
• different: not the same as before; changed [ˈdɪfərənt]
• the Mock Turtle: a fictional character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• repeated: said again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• thoughtfully: in a pensive or reflective manner [ˈθɔtfəli]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• should like: would like; want to [ʃʊd laɪk]
• to hear: to listen to [tɪ hir]
• her: referring to Alice [hər]
• try: attempt [traɪ]
• and repeat: and say again [ənd rɪˈpit]
• something: a particular thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

Tell her to begin.' He looked at the Gryphon as if he thought it had some kind of authority over Alice.

• Tell: instruct; order [tɛl]
• her: Alice [hər]
• to begin: to start [tɪ bɪˈgɪn]
• He: reporting clause indicating who is speaking [ hi]
• looked: gazed; directed his eyes [lʊkt]
• at: toward [æt]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]
• as if: in a way that suggests [ɛz ɪf]
• he: referring to the Mock Turtle [hi]
• thought: believed; considered [θɔt]
• it: the Gryphon [ɪt]
• had: possessed [hæd]
• some kind of: a certain type of [səm kaɪnd əv]
• authority: power; control [əˈθɔrəti]
• over: in relation to; regarding [ˈoʊvər]
• Alice: the main character [ˈælɪs]

'Stand up and repeat "'TIS THE VOICE OF THE SLUGGARD,"' said the Gryphon.

• Stand: to be in or rise to an upright position, supported by one's feet [stænd]
• up: to a vertical position [əp]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• repeat: say something again [rɪˈpit]
• TIS: archaic form of 'it is' [tɪz]
• THE: definite article, referring to a specific voice [ðə]
• VOICE: sound made by someone speaking or singing [vɔɪs]
• OF: belonging to or associated with [əv]
• THE: definite article, referring to a specific sluggard [ðə]
• SLUGGARD: a lazy, inactive person [sluggard]
• said: spoke [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle [ðə gryphon]

'How the creatures order one about, and make one repeat lessons!' thought Alice; 'I might as well be at school at once.' However, she got up, and began to repeat it, but her head was so full of the Lobster Quadrille, that she hardly knew what she was saying, and the words came very queer indeed:—

• How: used to express surprise or wonder [haʊ]
• the creatures: the animals or beings [ðə ˈkriʧərz]
• order: command; tell [ˈɔrdər]
• one: someone; a person [wən]
• about: around; in a bossy way [əˈbaʊt]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• make: force; cause [meɪk]
• one: someone; a person [wən]
• repeat: say again [rɪˈpit]
• lessons: things to be learned [ˈlɛsənz]
• thought: what Alice was thinking [ θɔt]
• Alice: the main character [ˈælɪs]
• I: the speaker [ aɪ]
• might as well: could just as easily [maɪt ɛz wɛl]
• be: exist; be present [bi]
• at: in the location of [æt]
• school: a place of learning [skul]
• at once: immediately; right away [æt wəns]
• However: nevertheless; despite that [ ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• she: referring to Alice [ ʃi]
• got up: stood up [gɑt əp]
• and: and then [ ənd]
• began: started [bɪˈgæn]
• to repeat: to say again [tɪ rɪˈpit]
• it: the lesson [ɪt]
• but: however [ bət]
• her: referring to Alice [hər]
• head: the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]
• was: was [wɑz]
• so: to such a great extent [soʊ]
• full: occupied; filled [fʊl]
• of: containing [əv]
• the Lobster Quadrille: a dance [ðə ˈlɑbstər quadrille]
• that: as a result [ ðət]
• she: Alice [ʃi]
• hardly: barely; scarcely [ˈhɑrdli]
• knew: understood; was aware of [nu]
• what: the thing that [wət]
• she: Alice [ʃi]
• was saying: speaking [wɑz seɪɪŋ]
• and: and as a result [ ənd]
• the words: the spoken language [ðə wərdz]
• came: sounded; were expressed [keɪm]
• very: extremely [ˈvɛri]
• queer: strange; odd [kwɪr]
• indeed: in truth; certainly

''Tis the voice of the Lobster; I heard him declare,

• Tis: archaic contraction of 'it is' [tɪz]
• the voice: the sound or utterance made by someone or something [ðə vɔɪs]
• of the Lobster: referring to a specific lobster, personified in the poem [əv ðə ˈlɑbstər]
• I heard: the speaker's auditory experience [aɪ hərd]
• him declare: him making a statement or announcement [ɪm dɪˈklɛr]

"You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair."

• You have baked: past perfect tense, indicating that someone has baked the lobster [ju hæv beɪkt]
• me too brown: meaning the lobster has been overcooked [mi tu braʊn]
• I must: expressing necessity or obligation [aɪ məst]
• sugar my hair: a humorous and nonsensical statement, personifying the lobster [ˈʃʊgər maɪ hɛr]

As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose

• As a duck: introducing a comparison using the word 'as', referring to a duck [ɛz ə dək]
• with its eyelids: referring to the duck's eyelids [wɪθ ɪts ˈaɪˌlɪdz]
• so he: comparing the lobster to the duck [soʊ hi]
• with his nose: referring to the lobster's nose [wɪθ hɪz noʊz]

Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes.'

• Trims: to make something neat or tidy by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts [trɪmz]
• his belt: referring to the lobster's belt [hɪz bɛlt]
• and his buttons: referring to the lobster's buttons [ənd hɪz ˈbətənz]
• and turns out: to direct or move something so that it faces outward [ənd tərnz aʊt]
• his toes: referring to the lobster's toes [hɪz toʊz]

[ˈleɪtər ɪˈdɪʃənz]">later editions</a><span id="sentence-8-1-explanation" class="text-to-read --explanation"></span></span>[[ continued as follows

• later editions: referring to subsequent versions of a publication [[ˈleɪtər ɪˈdɪʃənz]
• continued as follows: indicating that the text continues in the manner described [kənˈtɪnjud ɛz ˈfɑloʊz]

When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark,

• When the sands: referring to grains of sand, typically on a beach [wɪn ðə sændz]
• are all dry: meaning the sand is not wet [ər ɔl draɪ]
• he is gay: archaic usage meaning happy or cheerful [hi ɪz geɪ]
• as a lark: a simile comparing the lobster's happiness to that of a lark (a type of bird [ɛz ə lɑrk]

And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark,

• And will talk: expressing future action or intention to speak [ənd wɪl tɔk]
• in contemptuous tones: speaking with disdain or scorn [ɪn kənˈtɛmpʧuəs toʊnz]
• of the Shark: referring to a shark [əv ðə ʃɑrk]

But, when the tide rises and sharks are around,

• But, when: introducing a contrast or condition [bət wɪn]
• the tide rises: referring to the increase in water level [ðə taɪd ˈraɪzɪz]
• and sharks are around: indicating the presence of sharks [ənd ʃɑrks ər əraʊnd]

His voice has a timid and tremulous sound.

• His voice: referring to the sound produced by the lobster [hɪz vɔɪs]
• has a timid: showing a lack of courage or confidence [həz ə ˈtɪmɪd]
• and tremulous sound: characterized by trembling or shaking [ənd ˈtrɛmjələs saʊnd]]

'That's different from what I used to say when I was a child,' said the Gryphon.

• That's: contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]
• different: not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality [ˈdɪfərənt]
• from what: in contrast to what [frəm wət]
• I used to say: something the speaker said habitually in the past [aɪ juzd tɪ seɪ]
• when I was: during the time the speaker was [wɪn aɪ wɑz]
• a child: a young person [ə ʧaɪld]
• said: the speaker said [ sɛd]
• the Gryphon: the name of the speaker [ðə gryphon]

'Well, I never heard it before,' said the Mock Turtle; 'but it sounds uncommon nonsense.'

• Well: An introductory word, often expressing surprise, resignation, or mild emphasis [wɛl]
• I: The speaker or writer [aɪ]
• never: At no time in the past [ˈnɛvər]
• heard: Past tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive with the ear [hərd]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]
• before: Previously; in the past [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: The name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• but: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]
• sounds: Appears or seems to be [saʊnz]
• uncommon: Rare; unusual [ənˈkɑmən]
• nonsense: Words or ideas that are foolish or make no sense [ˈnɑnsɛns]

Alice said nothing; she had sat down with her face in her hands, wondering if anything would EVER happen in a natural way again.

• Alice: The name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• nothing: Not anything; no single thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• she: Referring to Alice [ʃi]
• had sat down: Past perfect tense of 'sit down', meaning to take a seat [hæd sæt daʊn]
• with: In the company of; alongside [wɪθ]
• her face: The front part of the head [hər feɪs]
• in: Enclosed or surrounded by [ɪn]
• her hands: The terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist [hər hænz]
• wondering: Feeling curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndərɪŋ]
• if: Expressing a condition or doubt [ɪf]
• anything: A thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• would: Expressing a desire or possibility [wʊd]
• EVER: At any time; used for emphasis [ˈɛvər]
• happen: Take place; occur [ˈhæpən]
• in: Expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• a natural way: Occurring through natural processes, not artificially [ə ˈnæʧərəl weɪ]
• again: Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]

'I should like to have it explained,' said the Mock Turtle.

• I: The speaker or writer [aɪ]
• should: Expressing a condition or politeness [ʃʊd]
• like: To find pleasant or agreeable [laɪk]
• to have: To possess or experience [tɪ hæv]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]
• explained: To make clear or understandable [ɪkˈspleɪnd]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Mock Turtle: The name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]

'She can't explain it,' said the Gryphon hastily.

• She: Referring to a female person [ʃi]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', meaning is not able to [kænt]
• explain: To make clear or understandable [ɪkˈspleɪn]
• it: Referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Gryphon: The name of the character speaking [ðə gryphon]
• hastily: Done with excessive speed or urgency [ˈheɪstəli]

'But about his toes?' the Mock Turtle persisted.

• But: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• about: Concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• toes: The digits on the foot [toʊz]
• the Mock Turtle: The name of the character speaking [ðə mɑk ˈtərtəl]
• persisted: Continued firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action [pərˈsɪstɪd]

'It's the first position in dancing.' Alice said; but was dreadfully puzzled by the whole thing, and longed to change the subject.

• It's: Contraction of 'it is', where 'it' refers to the subject being discussed [ɪts]
• the first position: The initial stance or arrangement [ðə fərst pəˈzɪʃən]
• in: Expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• dancing: The activity of moving rhythmically to music [ˈdænsɪŋ]
• Alice: The name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• but: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• was: Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• dreadfully: Extremely bad or unpleasant [ˈdrɛdfəli]
• puzzled: Unable to understand something [ˈpəzəld]
• by: Expressing the agent performing an action [baɪ]
• the whole thing: Everything being considered [ðə hoʊl θɪŋ]
• and: A conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• longed: To have a strong desire or craving [lɔŋd]
• to change: To make or become different [tɪ ʧeɪnʤ]
• the subject: A person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with [ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt]

'Go on with the next verse,' the Gryphon repeated impatiently: 'it begins "I passed by his garden."'

• Go on with: continue or proceed with [goʊ ɔn wɪθ]
• the next verse: the following stanza or section of a poem or song [ðə nɛkst vərs]
• the Gryphon: a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion [ðə gryphon]
• repeated: said again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• impatiently: in a way that shows irritation or annoyance due to delay or opposition [ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli]
• it begins: the verse starts [ɪt bɪˈgɪnz]
• I passed by his garden: the opening line of the verse being referred to [aɪ pæst baɪ hɪz ˈgɑrdən)]

Alice did not dare to disobey, though she felt sure it would all come wrong, and she went on in a trembling voice:—

• Alice: the name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• did not dare: did not have the courage or confidence [dɪd nɑt dɛr]
• to disobey: to refuse to follow instructions or orders [tɪ ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ]
• though: although [ðoʊ]
• she felt sure: she was certain [ʃi fɛlt ʃʊr]
• it would all come wrong: everything would go badly or incorrectly [ɪt wʊd ɔl kəm rɔŋ]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]
• she went on: she continued [ʃi wɛnt ɔn]
• in a trembling voice: speaking with a shaky voice, often due to fear or nervousness