Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 60

'Give your evidence,' the King repeated angrily, 'or I'll have you executed, whether you're nervous or not.'

• Give your evidence: An imperative sentence demanding the presentation of proof or testimony. [gɪv jʊr ˈɛvədəns]
• the King: Referring to the monarch, the ruler of the kingdom. [ðə kɪŋ]
• repeated: Said again; uttered once more. [rɪˈpitɪd]
• angrily: In a manner showing strong displeasure or hostility. [ˈæŋgrəli]
• or: Used to introduce an alternative. [ər]
• I'll: Contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action. [aɪl]
• have you executed: To order someone to be put to death as a punishment. [hæv ju ˈɛksəˌkjutɪd]
• whether: Expressing doubt or choice between possibilities. [ˈwɛðər]
• you're: Contraction of 'you are'. [jʊr]
• nervous: Anxious or apprehensive. [ˈnərvəs]
• or: Used to link alternatives or possibilities. [ər]
• not: Negation of the previous condition; even if you are not nervous. [nɑt]

'I'm a poor man, your Majesty,' the Hatter began, in a trembling voice, '—and I hadn't begun my tea—not above a week or so—and what with the bread-and-butter getting so thin—and the twinkling of the tea—'

• I'm: Contraction of 'I am'. [əm]
• a poor man: A man with little money or resources. [ə pur mæn]
• your Majesty: A formal way of addressing a king or queen. [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]
• the Hatter: Referring to a character known as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]
• began: Started to speak. [bɪˈgæn]
• in a trembling voice: Speaking with a shaky voice, usually due to fear or nervousness. [ɪn ə ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ vɔɪs]
• and: Used to add more information. [-ənd]
• I hadn't: Contraction of 'I had not'. [aɪ ˈhædənt]
• begun: Started. [ˈbeɪgən]
• my tea: Referring to the act of drinking tea. [maɪ ti-]
• not: Used to negate the following quantity. [nɑt]
• above: More than. [əˈbəv]
• a week: A period of seven days. [ə wik]
• or: Used to link alternatives. [ər]
• so: Approximately. [soʊ-]
• and: Used to connect related clauses. [ənd]
• what with: Because of; considering. [wət wɪθ]
• the bread-and-butter: A simple food item consisting of bread and butter. [ðə bread-and-butter]
• getting: Becoming. [ˈgɪtɪŋ]
• so thin: Very sparse or meager. [soʊ θɪn-]
• and: Used to connect related clauses. [ənd]
• the twinkling: The act of sparkling or glimmering. [ðə tˈwɪŋkəlɪŋ]
• of the tea: Referring to a sparkling quality of the tea. [əv ðə ti-]

'The twinkling of the what?' said the King.

• The twinkling: The act of sparkling or glimmering. [ðə tˈwɪŋkəlɪŋ]
• of the what: Asking what is twinkling. [əv ðə wət]
• said: Spoke. [sɛd]
• the King: Referring to the monarch, the ruler of the kingdom. [ðə kɪŋ]

'It began with the tea,' the Hatter replied.

• It: Refers to the situation being discussed. [ɪt]
• began: Started. [bɪˈgæn]
• with: Starting from. [wɪθ]
• the tea: Referring to the act of drinking tea. [ðə ti]
• the Hatter: Referring to a character known as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]
• replied: Answered. [rɪˈplaɪd]

'Of course twinkling begins with a T!' said the King sharply. 'Do you take me for a dunce?

• Of course: Naturally; certainly. [əv kɔrs]
• twinkling: The act of sparkling or glimmering. [tˈwɪŋkəlɪŋ]
• begins: Starts. [bɪˈgɪnz]
• with: Starting from. [wɪθ]
• a T: The letter 'T'. [ə ti]
• said: Spoke. [sɛd]
• the King: Referring to the monarch, the ruler of the kingdom. [ðə kɪŋ]
• sharply: In a stern or critical manner. [ˈʃɑrpli]
• Do: Used to form a question. [du]
• you: Referring to the person being addressed. [ju]
• take: Consider. [teɪk]
• me: Referring to the speaker. [mi]
• for: As. [fər]
• a dunce: A stupid person. [ə dunce]

'I'm a poor man,' the Hatter went on, 'and most things twinkled after that—only the March Hare said—'

• I'm: Contraction of 'I am'. [əm]
• a poor man: A man with little money or resources. [ə pur mæn]
• the Hatter: Referring to a character known as the Hatter. [ðə ˈhætər]
• went on: Continued speaking. [wɛnt ɔn]
• and: Used to add more information. [ənd]
• most things: Almost everything. [moʊst θɪŋz]
• twinkled: Sparkled or glimmered. [tˈwɪŋkəld]
• after: Following. [ˈæftər]
• that: That event or time. [ðət-]
• only: Except. [ˈoʊnli]
• the March Hare: Referring to a character known as the March Hare. [ðə mɑrʧ hɛr]
• said: Spoke. [sɛd-]

'I didn't!' the March Hare interrupted in a great hurry.

• I didn't: A denial of a previous accusation or statement. 'Didn't' is a contraction of 'did not'. [aɪ ˈdɪdənt]
• the March Hare: A character in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. [ðə mɑrʧ hɛr]
• interrupted: To break into someone's conversation. [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]
• in a great hurry: Doing something very quickly and hastily. [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]

'You did!' said the Hatter.

• You did: An affirmation that someone performed an action, in response to a denial. [ju dɪd]
• said the Hatter: Attribution of the statement to the character 'the Hatter'. [sɛd ðə ˈhætər]

'I deny it!' said the March Hare.

• I deny it: A statement of refusal to accept the truth or existence of something. [aɪ dɪˈnaɪ ɪt]
• said the March Hare: Attribution of the statement to the character 'the March Hare'. [sɛd ðə mɑrʧ hɛr]

'He denies it,' said the King: 'leave out that part.'

• He denies it: Referring to the March Hare's denial. [hi dɪˈnaɪz ɪt]
• said the King: Attribution of the statement to the character 'the King'. [sɛd ðə kɪŋ]
• leave out that part: An instruction to omit or disregard a certain section or detail. [liv aʊt ðət pɑrt]

'Well, at any rate, the Dormouse said—' the Hatter went on, looking anxiously round to see if he would deny it too: but the Dormouse denied nothing, being fast asleep.

• Well, at any rate: An expression used to introduce a statement that is still valid despite previous statements or events. [wɛl æt ˈɛni reɪt]
• the Dormouse: A character in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. [ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs]
• said: Indicates that the Dormouse made a statement, but the exact words are not immediately provided. [sɛd-]
• the Hatter: A character in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. [ðə ˈhætər]
• went on: Continued speaking. [wɛnt ɔn]
• looking anxiously round: Looking around with worry or concern. [ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈæŋkʃəsli raʊnd]
• to see if he would deny it too: Checking if the Dormouse would also deny what was said. [tɪ si ɪf hi wʊd dɪˈnaɪ ɪt tu]
• but the Dormouse denied nothing: The Dormouse did not contradict or refute anything. [bət ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs dɪˈnaɪd ˈnəθɪŋ]
• being fast asleep: In a deep sleep. [biɪŋ fæst əsˈlip]

'After that,' continued the Hatter, 'I cut some more bread-and-butter—'

• After that: Following a previous event or time. [ˈæftər ðət]
• continued the Hatter: The Hatter resumed speaking. [kənˈtɪnjud ðə ˈhætər]
• I cut: The action of slicing or dividing something with a sharp instrument. [aɪ kət]
• some more: An additional amount. [səm mɔr]
• bread-and-butter: A simple food item consisting of bread with butter spread on it. [bread-and-butter-]

'But what did the Dormouse say?' one of the jury asked.

• But what: Asking for specific information. [bət wət]
• did the Dormouse say: Inquiring about the statement made by the Dormouse. [dɪd ðə ˈdɔrˌmaʊs seɪ]
• one of the jury: A member of a group of people selected to make a legal decision. [wən əv ðə ˈʤʊri]
• asked: Inquired or posed a question. [æst]

'That I can't remember,' said the Hatter.

• That I can't remember: Expressing an inability to recall something. 'Can't' is a contraction of 'cannot'. [ðət aɪ kænt rɪˈmɛmbər]
• said the Hatter: Attribution of the statement to the character 'the Hatter'. [sɛd ðə ˈhætər]

'You MUST remember,' remarked the King, 'or I'll have you executed.'

• You MUST remember: Emphasizing the importance of remembering something [ju məst rɪˈmɛmbər]
• remarked: said; made a comment [rɪˈmɑrkt]
• the King: referring to the King as the speaker [ðə kɪŋ]
• or: used to introduce the alternative if something is not done [ər]
• I'll: contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action [aɪl]
• have you executed: order someone to be put to death as a punishment [hæv ju ˈɛksəˌkjutɪd]

The miserable Hatter dropped his teacup and bread-and-butter, and went down on one knee. 'I'm a poor man, your Majesty,' he began.

• The miserable Hatter: Describing the Hatter as unhappy or wretched [ðə ˈmɪzərəbəl ˈhætər]
• dropped: let fall; released unintentionally [drɑpt]
• his teacup: the Hatter's teacup [hɪz ˈtiˌkəp]
• and bread-and-butter: the food items the Hatter was holding [ənd bread-and-butter]
• and went down: lowered himself [ənd wɛnt daʊn]
• on one knee: onto one knee, a gesture of respect or supplication [ɔn wən ni]
• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• a poor man: a man with little money or resources [ə pur mæn]
• your Majesty: a title used to address a king or queen [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]
• he began: he started to speak [hi bɪˈgæn]

'You're a very poor speaker,' said the King.

• You're: contraction of 'you are' [jʊr]
• a very poor speaker: indicating someone is not good at speaking [ə ˈvɛri pur ˈspikər]
• said: stated; spoke [sɛd]
• the King: referring to the King as the speaker [ðə kɪŋ]

Here one of the guinea-pigs cheered, and was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court. (As that is rather a hard word, I will just explain to you how it was done.

• Here: in this instance; at this point [hir]
• one of the guinea-pigs: referring to one of the guinea pigs present [wən əv ðə guinea-pigs]
• cheered: expressed approval or happiness loudly [ʧɪrd]
• and was: passive voice construction [ənd wɑz]
• immediately: at once; without delay [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]
• suppressed: put down; stopped by force [səˈprɛst]
• by the officers: by the officials [baɪ ðə ˈɔfɪsərz]
• of the court: of the royal court or legal setting [əv ðə kɔrt]
• As: introducing a reason or explanation [(ɛz]
• that: referring to the word 'suppressed' [ðət]
• is: linking verb [ɪz]
• rather: to a certain extent; somewhat [ˈrəðər]
• a hard word: a difficult or complex word [ə hɑrd wərd]
• I will: expressing intention [aɪ wɪl]
• just: simply; only [ʤɪst]
• explain: make clear; describe [ɪkˈspleɪn]
• to you: to the listener or reader [tɪ ju]
• how: in what way; by what means [haʊ]
• it was done: how the suppression was carried out [ɪt wɑz dən]

'I'm glad I've seen that done,' thought Alice. 'I've so often read in the newspapers, at the end of trials, "There was some attempts at applause, which was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court," and I never understood what it meant till now.'

• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• glad: feeling pleasure; pleased [glæd]
• I've: contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]
• seen: past participle of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sin]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• done: completed; finished [dən]
• thought: past tense of 'think'; had a particular idea or opinion [θɔt]
• Alice: name of the character [ˈælɪs]
• I've: contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]
• so: to such a great extent [soʊ]
• often: frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]
• read: past participle of 'read'; to have looked at and understood written words [rɛd]
• in: within; inside [ɪn]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• newspapers: publications containing news, articles, and advertisements [ˈnuzˌpeɪpərz]
• at: indicating a specific point or location [æt]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• end: the final part of something [ɛnd]
• of: indicating belonging or association [əv]
• trials: formal examinations of evidence in a court of law [traɪəlz]
• There: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• some: an unspecified amount or number of [səm]
• attempts: efforts to achieve something [əˈtɛmpts]
• at: expressing direction or purpose [æt]
• applause: the expression of approval by clapping the hands [əˈplɔz]
• which: referring to the previous clause [wɪʧ]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• immediately: at once; instantly [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]
• suppressed: forcibly put an end to [səˈprɛst]
• by: indicating the agent performing an action [baɪ]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• officers: people holding a position of authority or command [ˈɔfɪsərz]
• of: indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• court: a place where legal trials take place [kɔrt]
• and: conjunction; connecting words or clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• understood: past tense of 'understand'; comprehended [ˌəndərˈstʊd]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• it: referring to the previous clause [ɪt]
• meant: past tense of 'mean'; signified or indicated [mɛnt]
• till: until [tɪl]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

'If that's all you know about it, you may stand down,' continued the King.

• If: conditional conjunction; introduces a condition [ɪf]
• that's: contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]
• all: everything; the whole amount [ɔl]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• know: to have knowledge of something [noʊ]
• about: concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• it: referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• may: expressing possibility or permission [meɪ]
• stand: to be in an upright position [stænd]
• down: to step down from a witness stand; to relinquish a position [daʊn]
• continued: past tense of 'continue'; to proceed or keep going [kənˈtɪnjud]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• King: a male monarch; the ruler of a kingdom [kɪŋ]

'I can't go no lower,' said the Hatter: 'I'm on the floor, as it is.'

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• can't: contraction of 'cannot' [kænt]
• go: to move or travel [goʊ]
• no: not any; none [noʊ]
• lower: at a lower level or position [loʊər]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• Hatter: name of the character [ˈhætər]
• I'm: contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• on: supported by; positioned upon [ɔn]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific thing [ðə]
• floor: the bottom surface of a room [flɔr]
• as: in the manner of; like [ɛz]
• it: referring to the situation [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]