Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll- page 8

As she said this she looked down at her hands, and was surprised to see that she had put on one of the Rabbit's little white kid gloves while she was talking. 'How CAN I have done that?' she thought. 'I must be growing small again.' She got up and went to the table to measure herself by it, and found that, as nearly as she could guess, she was now about two feet high, and was going on shrinking rapidly: she soon found out that the cause of this was the fan she was holding, and she dropped it hastily, just in time to avoid shrinking away altogether.

• As: used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is taking place [ɛz]
• she: refers to a female person previously mentioned or known [ʃi]
• said: past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]
• this: refers to the statement or action she just made [ðɪs]
• she: refers to the same female person as before [ʃi]
• looked down: directed her gaze downwards [lʊkt daʊn]
• at: preposition indicating direction or location [æt]
• her hands: the body parts at the end of her arms [hər hænz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• was surprised: felt astonishment or amazement [wɑz səˈpraɪzd]
• to see: to observe or notice [tɪ si]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• had put on: had placed or worn [hæd pʊt ɔn]
• one of: a single item from a group [wən əv]
• the Rabbit's: belonging to the Rabbit, indicating possession [ðə rabbits]
• little: small in size [ˈlɪtəl]
• white: color [waɪt]
• kid gloves: gloves made from the skin of a young goat [kɪd gləvz]
• while: during the time that [waɪl]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• was talking: was speaking [wɑz ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• How CAN I: Expressing surprise and questioning how something is possible [haʊ kən aɪ]
• have done that: to have performed that action [hæv dən ðət]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• must be: expressing a strong likelihood or necessity [məst bi]
• growing small: becoming smaller in size [groʊɪŋ smɔl]
• again: once more; returning to a previous state [əˈgɛn]
• She: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• got up: stood up from a sitting or lying position [gɑt əp]
• and: conjunction connecting clauses [ənd]
• went: past tense of 'go', meaning to move or travel [wɛnt]
• to the table: towards the piece of furniture with a flat top and legs [tɪ ðə ˈteɪbəl]
• to measure: to determine the size or amount of something [tɪ ˈmɛʒər]
• herself: referring back to the female person [hərˈsɛlf]
• by it: in relation to the table [baɪ ɪt]
• and: conjunction connecting clauses [ənd]
• found: past tense of 'find', meaning to discover or locate [faʊnd]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• as nearly as: approximately; almost exactly [ɛz ˈnɪrli ɛz]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• could guess: was able to estimate or suppose [kʊd gɛs]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• was now: at the present time [wɑz naʊ]
• about: approximately [əˈbaʊt]
• two feet high: a measurement of height [tu fit haɪ]
• and: conjunction connecting clauses [ənd]
• was going on: continuing to do something [wɑz goʊɪŋ ɔn]
• shrinking rapidly: becoming smaller very quickly [ʃˈrɪŋkɪŋ ˈræpədli]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• soon: in a short time; quickly [sun]
• found out: discovered or learned [faʊnd aʊt]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the cause: the reason or origin of something [ðə kɔz]
• of this: referring to the shrinking [əv ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• the fan: a device used to create a current of air [ðə fæn]
• she: refers to the same female person [ʃi]
• was holding: was grasping or carrying [wɑz ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• and: conjunction connecting clauses [ənd]
• she dropped it: she let it fall [ʃi drɑpt ɪt]
• hastily: quickly; without delay [ˈheɪstəli]
• just in time: at the last possible moment [ʤɪst ɪn taɪm]
• to avoid: to prevent from happening [tɪ əˈvɔɪd]
• shrinking away: disappearing by shrinking [ʃˈrɪŋkɪŋ əˈweɪ]
• altogether: completely; entirely [ˌɔltəˈgɛðər]

'That WAS a narrow escape!' said Alice, a good deal frightened at the sudden change, but very glad to find herself still in existence; 'and now for the garden!' and she ran with all speed back to the little door: but, alas!

• That: Used to refer to something specific that has been mentioned or is known [ðət]
• WAS: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [wɑz]
• a narrow escape: A situation in which someone avoids danger or a bad outcome by a small margin [ə ˈnɛroʊ ɪˈskeɪp]
• Alice: The name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• a good deal: Quite a lot; considerably [ə gʊd dil]
• frightened: Feeling fear or anxiety [ˈfraɪtənd]
• at the sudden change: Referring to an abrupt alteration in circumstances [æt ðə ˈsədən ʧeɪnʤ]
• but very glad: Feeling happiness or pleasure because something good has happened or been avoided [bət ˈvɛri glæd]
• to find herself still in existence: To realize that she is still alive or present [tɪ faɪnd hərˈsɛlf stɪl ɪn ɪgˈzɪstəns]
• and now: Indicates a transition to the next action or thought [ənd naʊ]
• for the garden: Expressing a desire or intention to go to the garden [fər ðə ˈgɑrdən]
• she ran: She moved quickly on foot [ʃi ræn]
• with all speed: As fast as possible [wɪθ ɔl spid]
• back to the little door: Returning to the small entrance [bæk tɪ ðə ˈlɪtəl dɔr]
• but, alas: An expression of sorrow or regret [bət əˈlæs]

the little door was shut again, and the little golden key was lying on the glass table as before, 'and things are worse than ever,' thought the poor child, 'for I never was so small as this before, never!

• the little door: Referring to the small entrance [ðə ˈlɪtəl dɔr]
• was shut again: Had been closed once more [wɑz ʃət əˈgɛn]
• and the little golden key: Referring to the small, golden-colored key [ənd ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈgoʊldən ki]
• was lying: Was in a horizontal or resting position [wɑz laɪɪŋ]
• on the glass table: Located on the table made of glass [ɔn ðə glæs ˈteɪbəl]
• as before: In the same state or condition as previously [ɛz ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and things are worse: The situation has deteriorated [ənd θɪŋz ər wərs]
• than ever: Compared to any previous time [ðən ˈɛvər]
• the poor child: Referring to the child in a sympathetic way [ðə pur ʧaɪld]
• for I never was: Expressing that she has not previously been in a certain state [fər aɪ ˈnɛvər wɑz]
• so small as this: As tiny as she currently is [soʊ smɔl ɛz ðɪs]
• before, never: Not at any time in the past; emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the situation [ˌbiˈfɔr ˈnɛvər]

As she said these words her foot slipped, and in another moment, splash!

• As she said: While she was speaking [ɛz ʃi sɛd]
• these words: The statements she made [ðiz wərdz]
• her foot slipped: She lost her footing and slid unintentionally [hər fʊt slɪpt]
• and in another moment: Very shortly after [ənd ɪn əˈnəðər ˈmoʊmənt]
• splash: The sound of something falling into water [splæʃ]

she was up to her chin in salt water.

• she was up: She found herself [ʃi wɑz əp]
• to her chin: The part of her face below her mouth [tɪ hər ʧɪn]
• in salt water: Water containing salt, like seawater [ɪn sɔlt ˈwɔtər]

Her first idea was that she had somehow fallen into the sea, 'and in that case I can go back by railway,' she said to herself. (Alice had been to the seaside once in her life, and had come to the general conclusion, that wherever you go to on the English coast you find a number of bathing machines in the sea, some children digging in the sand with wooden spades, then a row of lodging houses, and behind them a railway station.) However, she soon made out that she was in the pool of tears which she had wept when she was nine feet high.

• Her first idea: Her initial thought or impression [hər fərst aɪˈdiə]
• was that: Introduces the content of her thought [wɑz ðət]
• she had somehow fallen: She had, in some way she didn't fully understand, ended up falling [ʃi hæd ˈsəmˌhaʊ ˈfɑlən]
• into the sea: Into the ocean [ˈɪntu ðə si]
• and in that case: If that were true [ənd ɪn ðət keɪs]
• I can go back: She would be able to return [aɪ kən goʊ bæk]
• by railway: Using a train [baɪ ˈreɪlˌweɪ]
• to herself: Speaking silently in her mind [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• Alice had been: Alice had previously visited [ˈælɪs hæd bɪn]
• to the seaside: The coast or beach area [tɪ ðə ˈsiˌsaɪd]
• once in her life: On one occasion during her lifetime [wəns ɪn hər laɪf]
• and had come: And had arrived [ənd hæd kəm]
• to the general conclusion: At a broad, overall understanding [tɪ ðə ˈʤɛnərəl kənˈkluʒən]
• that wherever you go: No matter where one travels [ðət wɛˈrɛvər ju goʊ]
• to on the English coast: To any location along the coastline of England [tɪ ɔn ðə ˈɪŋlɪʃ koʊst]
• you find: One will encounter [ju faɪnd]
• a number of bathing machines: Several small structures on wheels used for changing clothes at the beach [ə ˈnəmbər əv ˈbeɪðɪŋ məˈʃinz]
• in the sea: Located in the ocean [ɪn ðə si]
• some children digging: A few kids using tools to excavate [səm ˈʧɪldrən ˈdɪgɪŋ]
• in the sand: In the granular material on the beach [ɪn ðə sænd]
• with wooden spades: Using shovels made of wood [wɪθ ˈwʊdən speɪdz]
• then a row: Followed by a line [ðɛn ə roʊ]
• of lodging houses: Of buildings providing temporary accommodation [əv ˈlɑʤɪŋ ˈhaʊsɪz]
• and behind them: Located behind the lodging houses [ənd bɪˈhaɪnd ðɛm]
• a railway station: A train station [ə ˈreɪlˌweɪ ˈsteɪʃən]
• However, she soon made out: However, she quickly realized [ˌhaʊˈɛvər ʃi sun meɪd aʊt]
• that she was: That her location was [ðət ʃi wɑz]
• in the pool of tears: In the body of water formed by crying [ɪn ðə pul əv tɪrz]
• which she had wept: That she had cried [wɪʧ ʃi hæd wɛpt]
• when she was nine feet high: At the time when she was very tall [wɪn ʃi wɑz naɪn fit haɪ]

'I wish I hadn't cried so much!' said Alice, as she swam about, trying to find her way out. 'I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!

• I wish I hadn't cried so much: Expresses regret about crying excessively [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ ˈhædənt kraɪd soʊ məʧ]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Alice: the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]
• as: while; during the time that [ɛz]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• swam: past tense of 'swim', indicating movement through water [swæm]
• about: around; in various directions [əˈbaʊt]
• trying: making an effort; attempting [traɪɪŋ]
• to find: to locate; to discover [tɪ faɪnd]
• her way out: a route or path to exit the current situation or location [hər weɪ aʊt]
• I shall be punished for it now, I suppose: Expresses anticipation of being penalized for a previous action, with uncertainty [aɪ ʃæl bi ˈpənɪʃt fər ɪt naʊ aɪ səˈpoʊz]
• by being drowned: the act of suffocating in water [baɪ biɪŋ draʊnd]
• in my own tears: exaggerated statement implying overwhelming sadness [ɪn maɪ oʊn tɪrz]

That WILL be a queer thing, to be sure!

• That: referring to the previous statement [ðət]
• WILL: emphatic future tense auxiliary verb [wɪl]
• be: to exist; to occur [bi]
• a queer thing: an odd or strange occurrence [ə kwɪr θɪŋ]
• to be sure: certainly; indeed [tɪ bi ʃʊr]

Just then she heard something splashing about in the pool a little way off, and she swam nearer to make out what it was: at first she thought it must be a walrus or hippopotamus, but then she remembered how small she was now, and she soon made out that it was only a mouse that had slipped in like herself.

• Just then: At that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• heard: past tense of 'hear', indicating the perception of sound [hərd]
• something: an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• splashing: the sound of something hitting or moving in water [ˈsplæʃɪŋ]
• about: around; in the vicinity [əˈbaʊt]
• in the pool: a body of water [ɪn ðə pul]
• a little way off: a short distance away [ə ˈlɪtəl weɪ ɔf]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• swam: past tense of 'swim', indicating movement through water [swæm]
• nearer: closer in proximity [ˈnɪrər]
• to make out: to discern; to understand [tɪ meɪk aʊt]
• what it was: to identify the source of the splashing [wət ɪt wɑz]
• at first: initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', indicating a belief or idea [θɔt]
• it must be: it is likely to be [ɪt məst bi]
• a walrus or hippopotamus: two large aquatic mammals [ə ˈwɔlrəs ər ˌhɪpəˈpɑtəməs]
• but then: however; on the other hand [bət ðɛn]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• remembered: past tense of 'remember', indicating recall of information [rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• how small: the degree of diminutiveness [haʊ smɔl]
• she was now: her current size [ʃi wɑz naʊ]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• she: referring to Alice [ʃi]
• soon: quickly; in a short time [sun]
• made out: discerned; identified [meɪd aʊt]
• that: conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• it was only: it was merely [ɪt wɑz ˈoʊnli]
• a mouse: a small rodent [ə maʊs]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the mouse [ðət]
• had slipped in: had accidentally fallen into the water [hæd slɪpt ɪn]
• like herself: in the same manner as she had [laɪk hərˈsɛlf]