Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 63

'UNimportant, of course, I meant,' the King hastily said, and went on to himself in an undertone,

• UNimportant: not significant or consequential [ənɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• of course: naturally; as expected [əv kɔrs]
• I meant: that was my intention [aɪ mɛnt]
• the King: the ruler of the land [ðə kɪŋ]
• hastily said: spoke quickly and perhaps nervously [ˈheɪstəli sɛd]
• and went on: continued speaking [ənd wɛnt ɔn]
• to himself: speaking quietly, not intended for others to hear [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]

'important—unimportant—unimportant—important—' as if he were trying which word sounded best.

• important—unimportant—unimportant—important: alternating between the words 'important' and 'unimportant' [important-unimportant-unimportant-important-]
• as if: suggesting a comparison or resemblance [ɛz ɪf]
• he were trying: he was attempting to determine [hi wər traɪɪŋ]
• which word: referring to either 'important' or 'unimportant' [wɪʧ wərd]

Some of the jury wrote it down 'important,' and some 'unimportant.' Alice could see this, as she was near enough to look over their slates; 'but it doesn't matter a bit,' she thought to herself.

• Some of the jury: a portion of the group of jurors [səm əv ðə ˈʤʊri]
• wrote it down: recorded the word [roʊt ɪt daʊn]
• important: the word 'important' was written [ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• and some: and others [ənd səm]
• unimportant: the word 'unimportant' was written [ənɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• Alice: a character's name [ˈælɪs]
• could see this: was able to observe this action [kʊd si ðɪs]
• as she was: because she was located [ɛz ʃi wɑz]
• near enough: sufficiently close [nɪr ɪˈnəf]
• to look over: to observe by peering down at [tɪ lʊk ˈoʊvər]
• their slates: the writing surfaces of the jurors [ðɛr sleɪts]
• but it: referring to the situation [bət ɪt]
• doesn't matter: is not significant or consequential [ˈdəzənt ˈmætər]
• a bit: at all; not even slightly [ə bɪt]
• she thought: Alice had the internal thought [ʃi θɔt]

At this moment the King, who had been for some time busily writing in his note-book, cackled out 'Silence!' and read out from his book, 'Rule Forty-two.

• At this moment: Refers to the specific point in time when the following action occurs [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• the King: A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]
• who had been: Indicates a past continuous state of being [hu hæd bɪn]
• for some time: Indicates a duration of unspecified length [fər səm taɪm]
• busily writing: Actively engaged in the process of writing [ˈbɪzəli ˈraɪtɪŋ]
• in his note-book: Using a book for taking notes [ɪn hɪz note-book]
• cackled out: Emitted a loud, broken sound, similar to a hen's cackle, while speaking [cackled aʊt]
• Silence: An exclamation demanding quiet [ˈsaɪləns]
• and read out: Announced aloud by reading from a text [ənd rɛd aʊt]
• from his book: Reading directly from the aforementioned book [frəm hɪz bʊk]
• Rule Forty-two: The forty-second rule [rul forty-two]

Everybody looked at Alice.

• Everybody: Every person; all people [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]
• looked at: Directed their gaze towards [lʊkt æt]
• Alice: A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]

'I'M not a mile high,' said Alice.

• I'M: Contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• not: Negation; not being [nɑt]
• a mile high: Having a height of one mile [ə maɪl haɪ]
• said: Spoken by [sɛd]
• Alice: A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]

'You are,' said the King.

• You are: Confirmation that the person being addressed is indeed a mile high [ju ər]
• said: Spoken by [sɛd]
• the King: A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]

'Nearly two miles high,' added the Queen.

• Nearly: Almost; close to [ˈnɪrli]
• two miles high: Having a height close to two miles [tu maɪəlz haɪ]
• added: Further stated [ˈædɪd]
• the Queen: A female ruler of a kingdom [ðə kwin]

'Well, I shan't go, at any rate,' said Alice: 'besides, that's not a regular rule: you invented it just now.'

• Well: An introductory word, often expressing mild surprise or resignation [wɛl]
• I shan't: Contraction of 'I shall not'; indicates a future intention not to do something [aɪ shant]
• go: Move or travel [goʊ]
• at any rate: Regardless of what happens; in any case [æt ˈɛni reɪt]
• said: Spoken by [sɛd]
• Alice: A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]
• besides: In addition to; furthermore [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]
• that's: Contraction of 'that is' [ðæts]
• not: Negation; not being [nɑt]
• a regular rule: A standard or established rule [ə ˈrɛgjələr rul]
• you invented: You created or made up [ju ˌɪnˈvɛntɪd]
• it: Referring to the rule [ɪt]
• just now: Very recently; at this moment [ʤɪst naʊ]

'It's the oldest rule in the book,' said the King.

• It's: Contraction of 'it is' [ɪts]
• the oldest rule: The rule that has existed for the longest time [ðə ˈoʊldəst rul]
• in the book: Contained within the book [ɪn ðə bʊk]
• said: Spoken by [sɛd]
• the King: A male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]

'Then it ought to be Number One,' said Alice.

• Then: As a consequence; therefore [ðɛn]
• it ought to be: It should be [ɪt ɔt tɪ bi]
• Number One: The first in a sequence [ˈnəmbər wən]
• said: Spoken by [sɛd]
• Alice: A proper noun, referring to a specific individual [ˈælɪs]

The King turned pale, and shut his note-book hastily. 'Consider your verdict,' he said to the jury, in a low, trembling voice.

• The King: Refers to the monarch, the male ruler of the kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]
• turned pale: became white or ashen in the face, usually due to fear, shock, or illness [tərnd peɪl]
• and shut: and closed [ənd ʃət]
• his note-book: a book for writing notes [hɪz note-book]
• hastily: quickly and in a rushed manner [ˈheɪstəli]
• Consider your verdict: Think about your decision [kənˈsɪdər jʊr ˈvərdɪkt]
• he said: the King said [hi sɛd]
• to the jury: a group of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them [tɪ ðə ˈʤʊri]
• in a low, trembling voice: speaking quietly and with a shaking voice, indicating nervousness or fear [ɪn ə loʊ ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ vɔɪs]

'There's more evidence to come yet, please your Majesty,' said the White Rabbit, jumping up in a great hurry; 'this paper has just been picked up.'

• There's: contraction of 'there is' [ðɛrz]
• more evidence: additional facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid [mɔr ˈɛvədəns]
• to come yet: still to be presented or revealed [tɪ kəm jɛt]
• please your Majesty: a formal way of addressing a king or queen, showing respect [pliz jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]
• said the White Rabbit: the White Rabbit said [sɛd ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]
• jumping up: standing up quickly [ˈʤəmpɪŋ əp]
• in a great hurry: very quickly and urgently [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]
• this paper: this document [ðɪs ˈpeɪpər]
• has just been picked up: has recently been found [həz ʤɪst bɪn pɪkt əp]

'What's in it?' said the Queen.

• What's: contraction of 'what is' [wəts]
• in it: inside the paper? [ɪn ɪt]
• said the Queen: the Queen asked [sɛd ðə kwin]

'I haven't opened it yet,' said the White Rabbit, 'but it seems to be a letter, written by the prisoner to—to somebody.'

• I haven't: contraction of 'I have not' [aɪ ˈhævənt]
• opened it yet: looked at the content of the paper yet [ˈoʊpənd ɪt jɛt]
• said the White Rabbit: the White Rabbit said [sɛd ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]
• but it seems: but it appears [bət ɪt simz]
• to be a letter: to be a written message [tɪ bi ə ˈlɛtər]
• written by the prisoner: authored by the person being held in custody [ˈrɪtən baɪ ðə ˈprɪzənər]
• to—to somebody: addressed to someone [to-to ˈsəmˌbɑdi]

'It must have been that,' said the King, 'unless it was written to nobody, which isn't usual, you know.'

• It must: it is likely [ɪt məst]
• have been that: to be the case [hæv bɪn ðət]
• said the King: the King said [sɛd ðə kɪŋ]
• unless it was written: if it was not addressed [ənˈlɛs ɪt wɑz ˈrɪtən]
• to nobody: to no one [tɪ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• which isn't usual: which is not common [wɪʧ ˈɪzənt ˈjuʒəwəl]
• you know: used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]

'Who is it directed to?' said one of the jurymen.

• Who is it directed to: A question asking about the intended recipient or target of something. [hu ɪz ɪt dɪˈrɛktɪd tɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• one of the jurymen: indicating that the speaker is a member of the jury. [wən əv ðə jurymen]

'It isn't directed at all,' said the White Rabbit; 'in fact, there's nothing written on the OUTSIDE.' He unfolded the paper as he spoke, and added 'It isn't a letter, after all: it's a set of verses.'

• It isn't directed at all: Meaning it is not aimed or addressed to anyone specifically. 'Isn't' is a contraction of 'is not'. [ɪt ˈɪzənt dɪˈrɛktɪd æt ɔl]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• the White Rabbit: Referring to a character known as the White Rabbit. [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]
• in fact: Used to introduce a statement that is more precise or emphatic than a previous one. [ɪn fækt]
• there's: contraction of 'there is'. [ðɛrz]
• nothing written: meaning no text or words are present. [ˈnəθɪŋ ˈrɪtən]
• on the OUTSIDE: Specifies that the absence of writing is on the external surface. [ɔn ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• He unfolded: He opened or spread out something that was folded. [hi ənˈfoʊldəd]
• the paper: Referring to a sheet of paper. [ðə ˈpeɪpər]
• as he spoke: While he was talking. [ɛz hi spoʊk]
• and added: and said something more. [ənd ˈædɪd]
• It isn't a letter, after all: Meaning it is not a letter as was previously thought. 'After all' indicates a change in understanding. [ɪt ˈɪzənt ə ˈlɛtər ˈæftər ɔl]
• it's: contraction of 'it is'. [ɪts]
• a set of verses: A collection of lines of poetry. [ə sɛt əv ˈvərsɪz]

'Are they in the prisoner's handwriting?' asked another of the jurymen.

• Are they in the prisoner's handwriting: A question asking if the writing is that of the prisoner. [ər ðeɪ ɪn ðə ˈprɪzənərz ˈhænˌdraɪtɪŋ]
• asked: past tense of 'ask', indicating that someone posed a question. [æst]
• another of the jurymen: indicating that the speaker is a different member of the jury than the one who spoke previously. [əˈnəðər əv ðə jurymen]

'No, they're not,' said the White Rabbit, 'and that's the queerest thing about it.' (The jury all looked puzzled.)

• No, they're not: Answering in the negative; 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are'. [noʊ ðɛr nɑt]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• the White Rabbit: Referring to a character known as the White Rabbit. [ðə waɪt ˈræbɪt]
• and that's: contraction of 'that is'. [ənd ðæts]
• the queerest thing: the strangest or most peculiar aspect. [ðə queerest θɪŋ]
• about it: regarding the matter at hand. [əˈbaʊt ɪt]
• The jury: Referring to the group of jurors. [(ðə ˈʤʊri]
• all looked puzzled: indicating that the entire jury appeared confused. [ɔl lʊkt ˈpəzəld)]

'He must have imitated somebody else's hand,' said the King. (The jury all brightened up again.)

• He must have imitated: He likely copied or mimicked. [hi məst hæv ˈɪməˌteɪtɪd]
• somebody else's hand: someone else's handwriting. [ˈsəmˌbɑdi ˈɛlsɪz hænd]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• the King: Referring to the character known as the King. [ðə kɪŋ]
• The jury: Referring to the group of jurors. [(ðə ˈʤʊri]
• all brightened up: indicating that the entire jury became more cheerful or alert. [ɔl ˈbraɪtənd əp]
• again: once more. [əˈgɛn)]

'Please your Majesty,' said the Knave, 'I didn't write it, and they can't prove I did: there's no name signed at the end.'

• Please your Majesty: A formal way to address a King or Queen, showing respect and deference. 'Please' indicates a polite request or statement. [pliz jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the Knave: A playing card, also a character in the story. The comma indicates a pause or separation of the speaker from the dialogue. [ðə neɪv]
• I didn't write it: The Knave's statement that he did not write something, 'it' referring to an unspecified document or message. [aɪ ˈdɪdənt raɪt ɪt]
• and: A conjunction connecting two clauses. [ənd]
• they can't prove I did: 'they' refers to an unspecified group of people; 'can't' is a contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability; 'prove' means to demonstrate or establish something as true; 'I did' is a shortened form of 'I wrote it'. [ðeɪ kænt pruv aɪ dɪd]
• there's no name signed at the end: 'there's' is a contraction of 'there is'; 'no name signed' means that the document does not have a signature; 'at the end' indicates the location of the missing signature. The apostrophe indicates the end of the Knave's statement. [ðɛrz noʊ neɪm saɪnd æt ðə ɛnd]