Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 6

So she set to work, and very soon finished off the cake.

• So: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• she: referring to a female person previously mentioned [ʃi]
• set to work: began to do something, typically with energy and purpose [sɛt tɪ wərk]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• very soon: in a short time; quickly [ˈvɛri sun]
• finished off: completed; brought to an end [ˈfɪnɪʃt ɔf]
• the cake: a sweet baked food made from flour, sugar, and other ingredients [ðə keɪk]

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* * * * * *

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER II.

• CHAPTER II: Indicates the second chapter of the book [ˈʧæptər ii]

'Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); 'now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that ever was!

• Curiouser and curiouser: An exclamation expressing increasing levels of curiosity or strangeness. The use of 'curiouser' instead of 'more curious' adds to the whimsical tone. [ˈkjʊriəsər ənd ˈkjʊriəsər]
• cried: exclaimed; shouted [kraɪd]
• Alice: the name of the main character [ˈælɪs]
• she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English: Explanation of why Alice used 'curiouser' instead of 'more curious'. She was so surprised that she forgot proper grammar. [(ʃi wɑz soʊ məʧ səˈpraɪzd ðət fər ðə ˈmoʊmənt ʃi kwaɪt fərˈgɑt haʊ tɪ spik gʊd ˈɪŋlɪʃ)]
• now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• I'm opening out: I am expanding or unfolding [əm ˈoʊpənɪŋ aʊt]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the largest telescope: the biggest optical instrument used to view distant objects [ðə ˈlɑrʤəst ˈtɛləˌskoʊp]
• that ever was: that has ever existed [ðət ˈɛvər wɑz]

Good-bye, feet!' (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off). 'Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now, dears?

• Good-bye: a farewell expression [ˈgʊdˌbaɪ]
• feet: plural of foot, the body parts at the end of the legs [fit]
• for: because [(fər]
• when she looked down: when she directed her gaze downwards [wɪn ʃi lʊkt daʊn]
• at her feet: towards her feet [æt hər fit]
• they seemed: they appeared [ðeɪ simd]
• to be almost out of sight: to be nearly invisible [tɪ bi ˈɔlˌmoʊst aʊt əv saɪt]
• they were getting: they were becoming [ðeɪ wər ˈgɪtɪŋ]
• so far off: at a great distance [soʊ fɑr ɔf)]
• Oh: an exclamation of surprise or concern [oʊ]
• my poor little feet: an expression of sympathy for her feet [maɪ pur ˈlɪtəl fit]
• I wonder: I am curious [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• who: which person [hu]
• will put on: will dress with [wɪl pʊt ɔn]
• your shoes and stockings: items of clothing worn on the feet [jʊr ʃuz ənd ˈstɑkɪŋz]
• for you now: at this time [fər ju naʊ]
• dears: a term of endearment [dears]

I'm sure I shan't be able!

• I'm sure: I am certain [əm ʃʊr]
• I shan't be able: I will not be capable [aɪ shant bi ˈeɪbəl]

I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself about you: you must manage the best way you can;—but I must be kind to them,' thought Alice, 'or perhaps they won't walk the way I want to go!

• I shall be: I will be [aɪ ʃæl bi]
• a great deal: much [ə greɪt dil]
• too far off: at too great a distance [tu fɑr ɔf]
• to trouble myself: to concern myself [tɪ ˈtrəbəl ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• about you: regarding you [əˈbaʊt ju]
• you must manage: you must cope [ju məst ˈmænɪʤ]
• the best way: in the most effective manner [ðə bɛst weɪ]
• you can: that you are able to [ju kən-]
• but: however [bət]
• I must be kind: I should be gentle and caring [aɪ məst bi kaɪnd]
• to them: towards them (her feet [tɪ ðɛm]
• thought: considered [θɔt]
• Alice: the character thinking [ˈælɪs]
• or: otherwise [ər]
• perhaps: maybe [pərˈhæps]
• they won't walk: they will not move [ðeɪ woʊnt wɔk]
• the way: the path or direction [ðə weɪ]
• I want to go: I desire to travel [aɪ wɔnt tɪ goʊ]

And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it.

• And: conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• she: third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]
• went on: continued [wɛnt ɔn]
• planning: thinking about and deciding on a course of action [ˈplænɪŋ]
• to herself: in her own mind; silently [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• she: third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]
• would manage: how she would succeed in doing something [wʊd ˈmænɪʤ]
• it: referring to a task or situation [ɪt]

'They must go by the carrier,' she thought; 'and how funny it'll seem, sending presents to one's own feet!

• They: third-person plural pronoun referring to a group of people or things [ðeɪ]
• must: expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
• go: move or travel [goʊ]
• by: via; using a particular means of transport [baɪ]
• the carrier: a person or company that transports goods or people [ðə ˈkɛriər]
• she: third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]
• thought: past tense of 'think'; had an idea or opinion [θɔt]
• and: conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• how: to what extent; in what way [haʊ]
• funny: amusing; comical [ˈfəni]
• it'll: contraction of 'it will'; referring to a future event or situation [ˈɪtəl]
• seem: appear to be; give the impression of being [sim]
• sending: causing to be conveyed to a destination [ˈsɛndɪŋ]
• presents: gifts; things given to someone as a token of affection or appreciation [ˈprɛzənts]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• one's own: belonging to oneself [wənz oʊn]
• feet: plural of 'foot'; the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle [fit]

And how odd the directions will look!

• And: conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• how: to what extent; in what way [haʊ]
• odd: strange; peculiar [ɑd]
• the directions: instructions on how to reach a place or how to use something [ðə dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz]
• will look: will appear; will have a certain appearance [wɪl lʊk]

ALICE'S RIGHT FOOT, ESQ.

• ALICE'S: Possessive form of Alice, indicating something belonging to Alice [ˈælɪsəz]
• RIGHT: Located on the right side [raɪt]
• FOOT: The part of the body at the end of the leg [fʊt]
• ESQ: Abbreviation for Esquire, a title of courtesy usually appended to a man's name without a higher title [esq]

HEARTHRUG,

• HEARTHRUG: A rug placed in front of a fireplace [hearthrug]

NEAR THE FENDER,

• NEAR: Close to [nɪr]
• THE: Definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• FENDER: A low metal guard before an open fireplace [ˈfɛndər]

(WITH ALICE'S LOVE).

• WITH: Accompanied by [(wɪθ]
• ALICE'S: Belonging to Alice [ˈælɪsəz]
• LOVE: Affection [ləv)]

Oh dear, what nonsense I'm talking!'

• Oh: An exclamation of surprise, pain, or pleasure [oʊ]
• dear: An expression of dismay or concern [dɪr]
• what: Used to express surprise or astonishment [wət]
• nonsense: Words or ideas that are silly or make no sense [ˈnɑnsɛns]
• I'm: Contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• talking: Speaking [ˈtɔkɪŋ]

Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door.

• Just then: At that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]
• her: belonging to her [hər]
• head: the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]
• struck: hit [strək]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the roof: the top covering of a building or room [ðə rʊf]
• of the hall: belonging to the hall [əv ðə hɔl]
• in fact: actually; really [ɪn fækt]
• she: third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• more than: exceeding [mɔr ðən]
• nine: the number 9 [naɪn]
• feet: plural of 'foot'; a unit of length [fit]
• high: tall [haɪ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• she: third-person singular pronoun referring to a female [ʃi]
• at once: immediately; without delay [æt wəns]
• took up: picked up; grabbed [tʊk əp]
• the little: small [ðə ˈlɪtəl]
• golden: made of gold or having the color of gold [ˈgoʊldən]
• key: an object used to open a lock [ki]
• and: conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• hurried off: went quickly [ˈhərid ɔf]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the garden door: the door leading to the garden [ðə ˈgɑrdən dɔr]

Poor Alice!

• Poor Alice: An expression of sympathy or pity for Alice [pur ˈælɪs]

It was as much as she could do, lying down on one side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to cry again.

• It was as much as she could do: She was barely able to manage or accomplish something; it was the limit of her ability [ɪt wɑz ɛz məʧ ɛz ʃi kʊd du]
• lying down: being in a horizontal position [laɪɪŋ daʊn]
• on one side: on one of her sides (left or right [ɔn wən saɪd]
• to look through: to observe or peer into something [tɪ lʊk θru]
• into the garden: towards the garden [ˈɪntu ðə ˈgɑrdən]
• with one eye: using only one eye to see [wɪθ wən aɪ]
• but to get through: but to pass or move to the other side [bət tɪ gɪt θru]
• was more hopeless than ever: seemed even more impossible than before [wɑz mɔr ˈhoʊpləs ðən ˈɛvər]
• she sat down: she lowered herself to a sitting position [ʃi sæt daʊn]
• and began to cry again: and started weeping once more [ənd bɪˈgæn tɪ kraɪ əˈgɛn]

'You ought to be ashamed of yourself,' said Alice, 'a great girl like you,' (she might well say this), 'to go on crying in this way!

• You ought to be ashamed of yourself: An expression of disapproval or reprimand, suggesting that someone should feel embarrassed or guilty about their actions [ju ɔt tɪ bi əˈʃeɪmd əv ˈjɔrsɛlf]
• said Alice: Alice spoke these words [sɛd ˈælɪs]
• a great girl like you: a girl who is considered to be relatively old or mature [ə greɪt gərl laɪk ju]
• she might well say this: an explanatory phrase indicating that Alice had good reason to say what she did [(ʃi maɪt wɛl seɪ ðɪs)]
• to go on crying: to continue weeping [tɪ goʊ ɔn kraɪɪŋ]
• in this way: in such a manner [ɪn ðɪs weɪ]

Stop this moment, I tell you!' But she went on all the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the hall.

• Stop this moment, I tell you: An imperative command to cease crying immediately [stɑp ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt aɪ tɛl ju]
• But she went on: However, she continued [bət ʃi wɛnt ɔn]
• all the same: despite the command or expectation to stop [ɔl ðə seɪm]
• shedding gallons of tears: crying profusely, producing a large quantity of tears [ˈʃɛdɪŋ ˈgælənz əv tɪrz]
• until there was: leading to the existence of [ənˈtɪl ðɛr wɑz]
• a large pool: a considerable accumulation of liquid [ə lɑrʤ pul]
• all round her: surrounding her completely [ɔl raʊnd hər]
• about four inches deep: approximately four inches in vertical extent [əˈbaʊt fɔr ˈɪnʧɪz dip]
• and reaching half down the hall: extending halfway along the length of the hallway [ənd ˈriʧɪŋ hæf daʊn ðə hɔl]

After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming.

• After a time: Following a period of unspecified duration [ˈæftər ə taɪm]
• she heard: past tense of 'hear', meaning she perceived a sound [ʃi hərd]
• a little pattering of feet: the sound of light, quick steps [ə ˈlɪtəl pattering əv fit]
• in the distance: far away; not nearby [ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]
• and she hastily dried her eyes: she quickly wiped away tears from her eyes [ənd ʃi ˈheɪstəli draɪd hər aɪz]
• to see what was coming: in order to observe what was approaching [tɪ si wət wɑz ˈkəmɪŋ]

It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to himself as he came, 'Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess!

• It was the White Rabbit returning: The White Rabbit was coming back [ɪt wɑz ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt rɪˈtərnɪŋ]
• splendidly dressed: wearing impressive or beautiful clothing [ˈsplɛndədli drɛst]
• with a pair of white kid gloves: holding two gloves made of soft leather [wɪθ ə pɛr əv waɪt kɪd gləvz]
• in one hand: held in one of his hands [ɪn wən hænd]
• and a large fan: and a big handheld device used to create a breeze [ənd ə lɑrʤ fæn]
• in the other: held in his other hand [ɪn ðə ˈəðər]
• he came trotting along: he approached with a quick, light gait [hi keɪm ˈtrɑtɪŋ əˈlɔŋ]
• in a great hurry: very quickly; rushed [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]
• muttering to himself: speaking quietly and unclearly to himself [ˈmətərɪŋ tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• as he came: while he was approaching [ɛz hi keɪm]
• Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess: An exclamation expressing concern about the Duchess [oʊ ðə ˈdəʧəs ðə ˈdəʧəs]

Oh! won't she be savage if I've kept her waiting!' Alice felt so desperate that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, 'If you please, sir—' The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard as he could go.

• Oh! won't she be savage: expressing concern that the Duchess will be angry [oʊ woʊnt ʃi bi ˈsævɪʤ]
• if I've kept her waiting: if he has made the Duchess wait [ɪf aɪv kɛpt hər ˈweɪtɪŋ]
• Alice felt so desperate: Alice felt extremely hopeless [ˈælɪs fɛlt soʊ ˈdɛspərɪt]
• that she was ready to ask help of any one: she was willing to seek assistance from anyone [ðət ʃi wɑz ˈrɛdi tɪ æsk hɛlp əv ˈɛni wən]
• so, when the Rabbit came near her: therefore, when the Rabbit approached her [soʊ wɪn ðə ˈræbɪt keɪm nɪr hər]
• she began, in a low, timid voice: she started speaking quietly and shyly [ʃi bɪˈgæn ɪn ə loʊ ˈtɪmɪd vɔɪs]
• If you please, sir: a polite way to get someone's attention [ɪf ju pliz sər-]
• The Rabbit started violently: The Rabbit jumped suddenly and forcefully [ðə ˈræbɪt ˈstɑrtɪd ˈvaɪələntli]
• dropped the white kid gloves and the fan: let go of the gloves and fan, causing them to fall [drɑpt ðə waɪt kɪd gləvz ənd ðə fæn]
• and skurried away: and hurried away quickly [ənd skurried əˈweɪ]
• into the darkness: into the dark area [ˈɪntu ðə ˈdɑrknəs]
• as hard as he could go: as fast as he was able to run [ɛz hɑrd ɛz hi kʊd goʊ]