Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 59

'Fifteenth,' said the March Hare.

• Fifteenth: the fifteenth day [fɪfˈtinθ]

'Sixteenth,' added the Dormouse.

• Sixteenth: the sixteenth day [ˈsɪkˈstinθ]

'Write that down,' the King said to the jury, and the jury eagerly wrote down all three dates on their slates, and then added them up, and reduced the answer to shillings and pence.

• Write that down: An imperative sentence meaning to record or note something that was said. [raɪt ðət daʊn]
• the King: A male monarch; here, a character referred to as 'the King'. [ðə kɪŋ]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• to the jury: Addressing the group of people selected to make a legal decision. [tɪ ðə ˈʤʊri]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or continuation. [ənd]
• the jury: A body of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them. [ðə ˈʤʊri]
• eagerly: With enthusiasm or great willingness. [ˈigərli]
• wrote down: Past tense of 'write down', meaning to record something on paper. [roʊt daʊn]
• all three dates: Referring to three specific dates previously mentioned or relevant to the context. [ɔl θri deɪts]
• on their slates: Using small writing boards to record information. [ɔn ðɛr sleɪts]
• and then: Following that; next in sequence. [ənd ðɛn]
• added them up: Performed addition on the dates. [ˈædɪd ðɛm əp]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or continuation. [ənd]
• reduced the answer: Converted the sum into a different unit. [rɪˈdust ðə ˈænsər]
• to shillings and pence: Specific units of currency, indicating a calculation involving money. [tɪ ˈʃɪlɪŋz ənd pɛns]

'Take off your hat,' the King said to the Hatter.

• Take off your hat: An imperative sentence meaning to remove one's hat. [teɪk ɔf jʊr hæt]
• the King: A male monarch; here, a character referred to as 'the King'. [ðə kɪŋ]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• to the Hatter: Addressing the character known as the Hatter. [tɪ ðə ˈhætər]

'It isn't mine,' said the Hatter.

• It isn't mine: A statement indicating that something does not belong to the speaker. Contraction of 'it is not'. [ɪt ˈɪzənt maɪn]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating speech. [sɛd]
• the Hatter: Referring to the character known as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]

'Stolen!' the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.

• Stolen: An exclamation indicating that something has been taken illegally. [ˈstoʊlən]
• the King: A male monarch; here, a character referred to as 'the King'. [ðə kɪŋ]
• exclaimed: Said suddenly and loudly. [ɪkˈskleɪmd]
• turning: Changing direction or focus. [ˈtərnɪŋ]
• to the jury: Addressing the group of people selected to make a legal decision. [tɪ ðə ˈʤʊri]
• who: Relative pronoun referring to the jury. [hu]
• instantly: Immediately; without delay. [ˈɪnstəntli]
• made a memorandum: Created a note or record. [meɪd ə ˌmɛmərˈændəm]
• of the fact: Regarding the information that something was stolen. [əv ðə fækt]

'I keep them to sell,' the Hatter added as an explanation; 'I've none of my own.

• I keep them to sell: Statement indicating the purpose of possessing certain items is for selling. [aɪ kip ðɛm tɪ sɛl]
• the Hatter: Referring to the character known as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]
• added: Past tense of 'add', indicating speech. [ˈædɪd]
• as an explanation: Providing a reason or clarification. [ɛz ən ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən]
• I've none of my own: Short for 'I have none of my own', meaning the speaker does not possess any of the items personally. [aɪv nən əv maɪ oʊn]

Here the Queen put on her spectacles, and began staring at the Hatter, who turned pale and fidgeted.

• Here: In this place or situation. [hir]
• the Queen: A female monarch; here, a character referred to as 'the Queen'. [ðə kwin]
• put on: To place or wear (clothing or accessories). [pʊt ɔn]
• her spectacles: Eyeglasses, typically used for vision correction. [hər ˈspɛktəkəlz]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or continuation. [ənd]
• began: Past tense of 'begin', indicating the start of an action. [bɪˈgæn]
• staring: Looking intently or fixedly. [ˈstɛrɪŋ]
• at the Hatter: Focusing visual attention on the character known as the Hatter. [æt ðə ˈhætər]
• who: Relative pronoun referring to the Hatter. [hu]
• turned pale: Became white or ashen in the face, often due to fear or shock. [tərnd peɪl]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or continuation. [ənd]
• fidgeted: Made small movements, often due to nervousness or restlessness. [fidgeted]

'Give your evidence,' said the King; 'and don't be nervous, or I'll have you executed on the spot.'

• Give your evidence: An imperative sentence. 'Give' means to present or provide. 'Your evidence' refers to the information or proof you have to support your claim. The comma indicates a pause before the next part of the sentence. [gɪv jʊr ˈɛvədəns]
• said the King: Indicates that the King is speaking. 'Said' is the past tense of 'say'. The semicolon connects two related independent clauses. [sɛd ðə kɪŋ]
• and don't be nervous: 'And' connects two commands. 'Don't be nervous' is a command to remain calm. 'Nervous' means anxious or uneasy. The comma indicates a pause. [ənd doʊnt bi ˈnərvəs]
• or I'll have you executed: 'Or' introduces a consequence. 'I'll' is a contraction of 'I will'. 'Have you executed' means to order your execution, to put you to death as a punishment. [ər aɪl hæv ju ˈɛksəˌkjutɪd]
• on the spot: 'On the spot' means immediately, right there and then. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [ɔn ðə spɑt]

This did not seem to encourage the witness at all: he kept shifting from one foot to the other, looking uneasily at the Queen, and in his confusion he bit a large piece out of his teacup instead of the bread-and-butter.

• This: Refers to the King's statement in the previous sentence. [ðɪs]
• did not seem to encourage: 'Did not seem' indicates that something appeared not to happen. 'To encourage' means to give someone confidence or hope. [dɪd nɑt sim tɪ ɪnˈkərəʤ]
• the witness: 'The witness' refers to the person giving evidence in court. [ðə ˈwɪtnəs]
• at all: 'At all' emphasizes the lack of encouragement. The colon introduces an explanation or example. [æt ɔl]
• he kept shifting: 'He' refers to the witness. 'Kept shifting' means he continued to move. [hi kɛpt ˈʃɪftɪŋ]
• from one foot to the other: 'From one foot to the other' describes the action of nervously moving weight between feet. The comma indicates a pause. [frəm wən fʊt tɪ ðə ˈəðər]
• looking uneasily: 'Looking uneasily' means he was looking around in a worried or uncomfortable manner. [ˈlʊkɪŋ əˈnizəli]
• at the Queen: 'At the Queen' indicates who he was looking at. The comma indicates a pause. [æt ðə kwin]
• and in his confusion: 'And' connects two related actions. 'In his confusion' means because he was feeling bewildered or disoriented. [ənd ɪn hɪz kənfˈjuʒən]
• he bit: 'He' refers to the witness. 'Bit' is the past tense of 'bite'. [hi bɪt]
• a large piece: 'A large piece' refers to a substantial portion. [ə lɑrʤ pis]
• out of his teacup: 'Out of his teacup' indicates where the piece was bitten from. 'Teacup' is a small cup used for drinking tea. [aʊt əv hɪz ˈtiˌkəp]
• instead of: 'Instead of' means in place of. [ˌɪnˈstɛd əv]
• the bread-and-butter: 'The bread-and-butter' refers to a common snack or light meal. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [ðə bread-and-butter]

Just at this moment Alice felt a very curious sensation, which puzzled her a good deal until she made out what it was: she was beginning to grow larger again, and she thought at first she would get up and leave the court; but on second thoughts she decided to remain where she was as long as there was room for her.

• Just at this moment: Indicates a specific point in time. 'Just' emphasizes the immediacy. [ʤɪst æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• Alice felt: 'Alice' is the name of the character. 'Felt' is the past tense of 'feel', indicating a sensation. [ˈælɪs fɛlt]
• a very curious sensation: 'A very curious sensation' describes an unusual feeling. The comma indicates a pause. [ə ˈvɛri ˈkjʊriəs sɛnˈseɪʃən]
• which puzzled her: 'Which' refers to the sensation. 'Puzzled her' means it confused her. [wɪʧ ˈpəzəld hər]
• a good deal: 'A good deal' means to a significant extent or degree. [ə gʊd dil]
• until she made out: 'Until' indicates a time frame. 'She made out' means she figured out or understood. [ənˈtɪl ʃi meɪd aʊt]
• what it was: 'What it was' refers to the nature of the sensation. The colon introduces an explanation. [wət ɪt wɑz]
• she was beginning: 'She' refers to Alice. 'Was beginning' indicates the start of an action. [ʃi wɑz bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• to grow larger: 'To grow larger' means to increase in size. [tɪ groʊ ˈlɑrʤər]
• again: 'Again' indicates that this has happened before. The comma indicates a pause. [əˈgɛn]
• and she thought: 'And' connects two related thoughts. 'She thought' indicates her internal reasoning. [ənd ʃi θɔt]
• at first: 'At first' means initially. [æt fərst]
• she would get up: 'She would get up' means she intended to stand. [ʃi wʊd gɪt əp]
• and leave the court: 'And' connects two related actions. 'Leave the court' means to exit the courtroom. The semicolon connects two related independent clauses. [ənd liv ðə kɔrt]
• but on second thoughts: 'But' introduces a contrasting idea. 'On second thoughts' means after reconsidering. [bət ɔn ˈsɛkənd θɔts]
• she decided: 'She decided' indicates her final decision. [ʃi ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd]
• to remain: 'To remain' means to stay. [tɪ rɪˈmeɪn]
• where she was: 'Where she was' refers to her current location. [wɛr ʃi wɑz]
• as long as: 'As long as' means provided that. [ɛz lɔŋ ɛz]
• there was room: 'There was room' means there was sufficient space. [ðɛr wɑz rum]
• for her: 'For her' indicates who the room is needed for. The period indicates the end of the sentence. [fər hər]

'I wish you wouldn't squeeze so.' said the Dormouse, who was sitting next to her. 'I can hardly breathe.'

• I wish you wouldn't squeeze so: Expresses a desire that someone would stop squeezing tightly. 'Wouldn't' is a contraction of 'would not'. [aɪ wɪʃ ju ˈwʊdənt skwiz soʊ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Dormouse: a character in the story, identified as a Dormouse [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]
• who was sitting next to her: describes the Dormouse's location relative to another character (Alice [hu wɑz ˈsɪtɪŋ nɛkst tɪ hər]
• I can hardly breathe: Expresses difficulty in breathing due to being squeezed too tightly. 'Hardly' means 'barely' or 'almost not'. [aɪ kən ˈhɑrdli brið]

'I can't help it,' said Alice very meekly: 'I'm growing.'

• I can't help it: Alice's response, indicating she is unable to prevent something. 'Can't' is a contraction of 'cannot'. [aɪ kænt hɛlp ɪt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: a character in the story, identified as Alice [ˈælɪs]
• very meekly: describes Alice's manner of speaking, meaning in a quiet, gentle, and submissive way [ˈvɛri ˈmikli]
• I'm growing: Alice's explanation for why she is squeezing the Dormouse. 'I'm' is a contraction of 'I am'. [əm groʊɪŋ]

'You've no right to grow here,' said the Dormouse.

• You've no right to grow here: The Dormouse's statement, asserting that Alice does not have permission or justification to grow in that location. 'You've' is a contraction of 'you have'. [juv noʊ raɪt tɪ groʊ hir]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Dormouse: a character in the story, identified as a Dormouse [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]

'Don't talk nonsense,' said Alice more boldly: 'you know you're growing too.'

• Don't talk nonsense: Alice's rebuke, telling someone to stop saying foolish or untrue things. 'Don't' is a contraction of 'do not'. [doʊnt tɔk ˈnɑnsɛns]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: a character in the story, identified as Alice [ˈælɪs]
• more boldly: describes Alice's manner of speaking, meaning with increased confidence and courage [mɔr ˈboʊldli]
• you know you're growing too: Alice's counter-argument, pointing out that the other person is also growing. 'You're' is a contraction of 'you are'. [ju noʊ jʊr groʊɪŋ tu]

'Yes, but I grow at a reasonable pace,' said the Dormouse: 'not in that ridiculous fashion.' And he got up very sulkily and crossed over to the other side of the court.

• Yes, but I grow at a reasonable pace: The Dormouse's response, acknowledging that he grows but at a normal rate. [jɛs bət aɪ groʊ æt ə ˈrizənəbəl peɪs]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Dormouse: a character in the story, identified as a Dormouse [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]
• not in that ridiculous fashion: The Dormouse's criticism of Alice's growth, describing it as absurd or silly. [nɑt ɪn ðət rɪˈdɪkjələs ˈfæʃən]
• And: conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• he got up: the action of rising from a sitting or lying position [hi gɑt əp]
• very sulkily: describes the manner in which he got up, meaning in a bad-tempered and resentful way [ˈvɛri sulkily]
• and crossed over: the action of moving to the other side [ənd krɔst ˈoʊvər]
• to the other side of the court: specifies the destination of his movement, indicating he moved to the opposite side of the court. [tɪ ðə ˈəðər saɪd əv ðə kɔrt]

All this time the Queen had never left off staring at the Hatter, and, just as the Dormouse crossed the court, she said to one of the officers of the court, 'Bring me the list of the singers in the last concert!' on which the wretched Hatter trembled so, that he shook both his shoes off.

• All this time: Throughout the entire duration mentioned or implied. [ɔl ðɪs taɪm]
• the Queen: A royal character, the Queen. [ðə kwin]
• had never left off: An idiom meaning 'had not stopped'. [hæd ˈnɛvər lɛft ɔf]
• staring at: Looking intently and fixedly at someone or something. [ˈstɛrɪŋ æt]
• the Hatter: A character, referred to as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]
• and, just as: Conjunction indicating simultaneous events. [ənd ʤɪst ɛz]
• the Dormouse: A character, the Dormouse. [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]
• crossed the court: Walked across the area. [krɔst ðə kɔrt]
• she said: She spoke. [ʃi sɛd]
• to one of the officers of the court: Addressed a court official. [tɪ wən əv ðə ˈɔfɪsərz əv ðə kɔrt]
• Bring me: A command to fetch something for the speaker. [brɪŋ mi]
• the list of the singers: A specific document containing names of singers. [ðə lɪst əv ðə ˈsɪŋərz]
• in the last concert: Specifies which singers' list is required - from the most recent concert. [ɪn ðə læst ˈkɑnsərt]
• on which: Referring to the Queen's command. [ɔn wɪʧ]
• the wretched Hatter: Describes the Hatter as unfortunate or miserable. [ðə ˈrɛʧɪd ˈhætər]
• trembled so: Shook intensely. [ˈtrɛmbəld soʊ]
• that he shook: As a result of trembling. [ðət hi ʃʊk]
• both his shoes off: His shoes came off his feet. [boʊθ hɪz ʃuz ɔf]