Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 10

For the first few minutes the animals could hardly believe in their good fortune.

• For: preposition indicating purpose or reason [fər]
• the first few minutes: the initial short period of time [ðə fərst fju ˈmɪnəts]
• the animals: referring to the non-human creatures on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• could hardly believe: found it difficult to accept as true [kʊd ˈhɑrdli bɪˈliv]
• in their good fortune: in their luck or positive circumstances [ɪn ðɛr gʊd ˈfɔrʧən]

Their first act was to gallop in a body right round the boundaries of the farm, as though to make quite sure that no human being was hiding anywhere upon it; then they raced back to the farm buildings to wipe out the last traces of Jones’s hated reign.

• Their first act: The initial action or deed they performed [ðɛr fərst ækt]
• was to gallop: involved running at a fast pace [wɑz tɪ ˈgæləp]
• in a body: as a group or collective [ɪn ə ˈbɑdi]
• right round: completely around [raɪt raʊnd]
• the boundaries of the farm: the outer limits or edges of the agricultural land [ðə ˈbaʊndəriz əv ðə fɑrm]
• as though: as if; in a manner suggesting [ɛz ðoʊ]
• to make quite sure: to ensure completely [tɪ meɪk kwaɪt ʃʊr]
• that no human being: that no person [ðət noʊ ˈjumən biɪŋ]
• was hiding: was concealing themselves [wɑz ˈhaɪdɪŋ]
• anywhere upon it: at any location on the farm [ˈɛniˌwɛr əˈpɑn ɪt]
• then: subsequently; after that [ðɛn]
• they raced back: they ran quickly back [ðeɪ reɪst bæk]
• to the farm buildings: to the structures on the farm [tɪ ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• to wipe out: to eliminate completely [tɪ waɪp aʊt]
• the last traces: the remaining signs [ðə læst ˈtreɪsɪz]
• of Jones’s hated reign: of the period when Mr. Jones ruled, which they disliked intensely [əv ˈʤoʊnzɪz ˈheɪtɪd reɪn]

The harness-room at the end of the stables was broken open; the bits, the nose-rings, the dog-chains, the cruel knives with which Mr. Jones had been used to castrate the pigs and lambs, were all flung down the well.

• The harness-room: A room for storing equipment for horses [ðə harness-room]
• at the end of the stables: located at the far side of the building where horses are kept [æt ðə ɛnd əv ðə ˈsteɪbəlz]
• was broken open: was forcibly opened or entered [wɑz ˈbroʊkən ˈoʊpən]
• the bits: part of a bridle, placed in the mouth of a horse [ðə bɪts]
• the nose-rings: rings placed through the nose of an animal, often a pig or bull [ðə nose-rings]
• the dog-chains: chains used to restrain dogs [ðə dog-chains]
• the cruel knives: knives used in a way that causes pain or suffering [ðə kruəl naɪvz]
• with which: used for [wɪθ wɪʧ]
• Mr. Jones: the farmer [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• had been used: was accustomed [hæd bɪn juzd]
• to castrate: to remove the testicles of [tɪ ˈkæˌstreɪt]
• the pigs and lambs: young sheep and swine [ðə pɪgz ənd læmz]
• were all flung: were all thrown forcefully [wər ɔl fləŋ]
• down the well: into the deep hole in the ground used to access water [daʊn ðə wɛl]

The reins, the halters, the blinkers, the degrading nosebags, were thrown on to the rubbish fire which was burning in the yard.

• The reins: long, narrow straps used to guide a horse [ðə reɪnz]
• the halters: ropes or straps placed around the head of a horse or other animal, used for leading or tying it [ðə ˈhɔltərz]
• the blinkers: flaps attached to a bridle to limit a horse's vision [ðə blinkers]
• the degrading nosebags: bags attached to an animal's head for feeding, considered humiliating [ðə dɪˈgreɪdɪŋ nosebags]
• were thrown: were tossed [wər θroʊn]
• on to the rubbish fire: onto the fire used for burning waste materials [ɔn tɪ ðə ˈrəbɪʃ faɪər]
• which was burning: that was actively on fire [wɪʧ wɑz ˈbərnɪŋ]
• in the yard: in the open area around the farm buildings [ɪn ðə jɑrd]

So were the whips.

• So were the whips: The whips were also thrown onto the fire [soʊ wər ðə wɪps]

All the animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames.

• All the animals: Every creature on the farm [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• capered with joy: jumped and skipped playfully with happiness [capered wɪθ ʤɔɪ]
• when they saw: upon seeing [wɪn ðeɪ sɔ]
• the whips: instruments used for striking animals [ðə wɪps]
• going up in flames: being consumed by fire [goʊɪŋ əp ɪn fleɪmz]

Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses’ manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days.

• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• also threw: additionally tossed [ˈɔlsoʊ θru]
• on to the fire: onto the flames [ɔn tɪ ðə faɪər]
• the ribbons: narrow strips of fabric [ðə ˈrɪbənz]
• with which: that were used [wɪθ wɪʧ]
• the horses’ manes and tails: the long hair on the necks and tails of the horses [ðə ˈhɔrsɪz meɪnz ənd teɪlz]
• had usually been decorated: were typically adorned [hæd ˈjuʒəwəli bɪn ˈdɛkərˌeɪtɪd]
• on market days: on the days when goods were sold at the market [ɔn ˈmɑrkɪt deɪz]

‘Ribbons,’ he said, ‘should be considered as clothes, which are the mark of a human being.

• Ribbons: Plural of 'ribbon', a strip of material used for tying or decoration. The quotation marks indicate direct speech. [‘‘ribbons’*’]
• he: Refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned. [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]
• should: Expressing obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions. [‘‘should]
• be: Auxiliary verb used to form the passive voice or to indicate a state of being. [bi]
• considered: Past participle of 'consider', meaning to think carefully about something, typically before making a decision. [kənˈsɪdərd]
• as: Used to indicate the function or character that someone or something has. [ɛz]
• clothes: Items worn to cover the body. [kloʊðz]
• which: Used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned. [wɪʧ]
• are: Present tense of 'be', linking the subject to the predicate. [ər]
• the mark: A visible sign or impression on something. [ðə mɑrk]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]
• a human being: A man, woman, or child of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other animals by superior mental capacity. [ə ˈjumən biɪŋ]

When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears, and flung it on to the fire with the rest.

• When: At or during the time that. [wɪn]
• Boxer: A proper noun, likely the name of an animal. [ˈbɑksər]
• heard: Past tense of 'hear', to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something). [hərd]
• this: Used to identify a specific thing or situation observed or heard by the speaker. [ðɪs]
• he: Refers to Boxer. [hi]
• fetched: Past tense of 'fetch', meaning to go for and then bring back (someone or something) for someone. [fɛʧt]
• the small straw hat: A hat made of straw, being small in size. [ðə smɔl strɔ hæt]
• which: Used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned. [wɪʧ]
• he: Refers to Boxer. [hi]
• wore: Past tense of 'wear', to have clothing on one's body. [wɔr]
• in summer: During the summer season. [ɪn ˈsəmər]
• to keep: In order to prevent. [tɪ kip]
• the flies: Plural of 'fly', a flying insect. [ðə flaɪz]
• out of: Moving or directed away from inside. [aʊt əv]
• his ears: The organs of hearing belonging to Boxer. [hɪz ɪrz]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly. [ənd]
• flung: Past tense of 'fling', to throw forcefully. [fləŋ]
• it: Refers to the small straw hat. [ɪt]
• on to: Moving to a position on a surface. [ɔn tɪ]
• the fire: A controlled burning of combustible material. [ðə faɪər]
• with: Accompanied by (another person or thing). [wɪθ]
• the rest: The remaining people or things. [ðə rɛst]

In a very little while the animals had destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. Jones.

• In: Expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else. [ɪn]
• a very little while: A short period of time. [ə ˈvɛri ˈlɪtəl waɪl]
• the animals: Living organisms that feed on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• had destroyed: Past perfect tense of 'destroy', meaning to put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it. [hæd dɪˈstrɔɪd]
• everything: All things; all the things being referred to. [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that: Used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause, specifying the thing or person previously referred to. [ðət]
• reminded: Past tense of 'remind', to cause (someone) to remember someone or something. [riˈmaɪndɪd]
• them: Referring to the animals. [ðɛm]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]
• Mr. Jones: A proper noun, likely the name of a person. [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]

Napoleon then led them back to the store-shed and served out a double ration of corn to everybody, with two biscuits for each dog.

• Napoleon: A proper noun, likely the name of an animal. [nəˈpoʊljən]
• then: At that time; after that. [ðɛn]
• led: Past tense of 'lead', to guide or direct. [lɛd]
• them: Referring to the animals. [ðɛm]
• back: To the place where someone or something was previously. [bæk]
• to: Expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location or thing). [tɪ]
• the store-shed: A shed used for storing items. [ðə store-shed]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly. [ənd]
• served out: Phrasal verb meaning to distribute or provide portions of food or supplies. [sərvd aʊt]
• a double ration: Twice the usual amount of food or supplies. [ə ˈdəbəl ˈræʃən]
• of corn: A type of grain. [əv kɔrn]
• to everybody: To each person. [tɪ ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]
• with: Accompanied by (another person or thing). [wɪθ]
• two biscuits: Two small baked goods. [tu ˈbɪskəts]
• for each dog: One biscuit for every dog. [fər iʧ dɔg]

Then they sang 'Beasts of England' from end to end seven times running, and after that they settled down for the night and slept as they had never slept before.

• Then: After that. [ðɛn]
• they: Referring to the animals. [ðeɪ]
• sang: Past tense of 'sing', to produce musical sounds with the voice. [sæŋ]
• Beasts of England: The title of a song. [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• from end to end: From beginning to end; completely. [frəm ɛnd tɪ ɛnd]
• seven times: Seven occurrences. [ˈsɛvən taɪmz]
• running: Consecutively. [ˈrənɪŋ]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly. [ənd]
• after that: Following that. [ˈæftər ðət]
• they: Referring to the animals. [ðeɪ]
• settled down: Phrasal verb meaning to become quiet and calm. [ˈsɛtəld daʊn]
• for the night: For the duration of the night. [fər ðə naɪt]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly. [ənd]
• slept: Past tense of 'sleep', to be in a state of rest. [slɛpt]
• as: Used to indicate that things happen in the way described. [ɛz]
• they had never slept before: They had not slept in that way previously. [ðeɪ hæd ˈnɛvər slɛpt ˌbiˈfɔr]

But they woke at dawn as usual, and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened, they all raced out into the pasture together.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• they: refers to a group of animals, likely the protagonists of the story [ðeɪ]
• woke: past tense of 'wake', meaning to cease sleeping [woʊk]
• at dawn: the time of day when the sun begins to appear in the sky [æt dɔn]
• as usual: in the normal or customary way [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• remembering: recalling something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbərɪŋ]
• the glorious thing: an event or situation that is wonderful and delightful [ðə ˈglɔriəs θɪŋ]
• that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
• had happened: past perfect tense of 'happen', indicating an event that occurred before another past event [hæd ˈhæpənd]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• all: every one of a group [ɔl]
• raced: past tense of 'race', meaning to move swiftly [reɪst]
• out: away from the inside of a place or thing [aʊt]
• into: expressing movement or direction into something [ˈɪntu]
• the pasture: a field covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals [ðə ˈpæsʧər]
• together: with each other [təˈgɛðər]

A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm.

• A little way down: a short distance along or from a particular point [ə ˈlɪtəl weɪ daʊn]
• the pasture: a field covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals [ðə ˈpæsʧər]
• there: in or at that place [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• a knoll: a small hill or mound [ə noʊl]
• that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
• commanded: past tense of 'command', meaning to have a view from a high position [kəˈmændɪd]
• a view: the ability to see something or be seen from a particular place [ə vju]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• most of: the majority of something [moʊst əv]
• the farm: an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops or raising animals [ðə fɑrm]

The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light.

• The animals: referring to the group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• rushed: past tense of 'rush', meaning to move with urgent speed [rəʃt]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the top: the highest point or part of something [ðə tɔp]
• of it: referring to the knoll [əv ɪt]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• gazed: past tense of 'gaze', meaning to look steadily and intently [geɪzd]
• round: all around [raʊnd]
• them: referring to the area around the animals [ðɛm]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the clear: easy to see or understand [ðə klɪr]
• morning: the period of time between sunrise and noon [ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• light: the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible [laɪt]

Yes, it was theirs – everything that they could see was theirs!

• Yes: used to express affirmation or agreement [jɛs]
• it: referring to the farm [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• theirs: belonging to them [ðɛrz]
• everything: all things; all the things being referred to [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• could see: were able to see [kʊd si]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• theirs: belonging to them [ðɛrz]

In the ecstasy of that thought they gambolled round and round, they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement.

• In: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the ecstasy: an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement [ðə ˈɛkstəsi]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• that: referring to the thought of owning the farm [ðət]
• thought: an idea or opinion produced by thinking [θɔt]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• gambolled: past tense of 'gambol', meaning to run or jump about playfully [gambolled]
• round: all around [raʊnd]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• round: all around [raʊnd]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• hurled: past tense of 'hurl', meaning to throw with great force [hərld]
• themselves: reflexive pronoun referring back to 'they' [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• into: expressing movement or direction into something [ˈɪntu]
• the air: the atmosphere surrounding the earth [ðə ɛr]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• great: of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the average [greɪt]
• leaps: plural of 'leap', meaning a forceful jump or spring [lips]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• excitement: a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness [ɪkˈsaɪtmənt]

They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass, they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent.

• They: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• rolled: past tense of 'roll', meaning to move by turning over and over [roʊld]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the dew: tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night [ðə du]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• cropped: past tense of 'crop', meaning to bite off and eat the tops of plants [krɑpt]
• mouthfuls: the amount that can be held in the mouth [mouthfuls]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the sweet: having a pleasant taste [ðə swit]
• summer: the warmest season of the year [ˈsəmər]
• grass: vegetation consisting of typically short green plants [græs]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• kicked: past tense of 'kick', meaning to strike with the foot [kɪkt]
• up: toward a higher place or position [əp]
• clods: lumps of earth or soil [clods]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the black: of the color black [ðə blæk]
• earth: the substance of the land surface; soil [ərθ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• snuffed: past tense of 'snuff', meaning to draw air audibly up the nose to detect a smell [snəft]
• its: belonging to the earth [ɪts]
• rich: producing a large amount of something [rɪʧ]
• scent: a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant [sɛnt]

Then they made a tour of inspection of the whole farm and surveyed with speechless admiration the ploughland, the hayfield, the orchard, the pool, the spinney.

• Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to perform an action [meɪd]
• a tour: a journey for pleasure in which several different places are visited [ə tʊr]
• of inspection: the act of examining something carefully [əv ˌɪnˈspɛkʃən]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the whole: all of something [ðə hoʊl]
• farm: an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops or raising animals [fɑrm]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• surveyed: past tense of 'survey', meaning to look carefully at something [ˈsərˌveɪd]
• with: expressing accompaniment or association [wɪθ]
• speechless: unable to speak [ˈspiʧləs]
• admiration: respect and warm approval [ˌædmərˈeɪʃən]
• the ploughland: land that has been ploughed, ready for sowing [ðə ploughland]
• the hayfield: a field where hay is grown [ðə ˈheɪˌfild]
• the orchard: a piece of land planted with fruit trees [ðə ˈɔrʧərd]
• the pool: a small area of still water [ðə pul]
• the spinney: a small area of trees and bushes [ðə ˈspɪni]

It was as though they had never seen these things before, and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own.

• It: referring to the farm [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• as though: as if; as though it were the case that [ɛz ðoʊ]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• had never seen: past perfect tense of 'see', indicating that they had not seen these things before [hæd ˈnɛvər sin]
• these things: referring to the different parts of the farm [ðiz θɪŋz]
• before: at an earlier time [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• even now: even at the present time [ˈivɪn naʊ]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• could hardly believe: found it difficult to accept as true [kʊd ˈhɑrdli bɪˈliv]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• it: referring to the farm [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• all: entirely [ɔl]
• their own: belonging exclusively to them [ðɛr oʊn]