Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 11

Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse.

• Then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• they: referring to a group of animals previously mentioned [ðeɪ]
• filed back: returned in an orderly line or group [faɪld bæk]
• to: indicating direction or movement towards a place [tɪ]
• the farm buildings: the structures on the farm, such as barns, sheds, etc. [ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• halted: stopped; came to a standstill [ˈhɔltɪd]
• in silence: without making any noise [ɪn ˈsaɪləns]
• outside: on the exterior of [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• the door: the entrance to [ðə dɔr]
• of the farmhouse: the house where the farmer lives [əv ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

That was theirs too, but they were frightened to go inside.

• That: referring to the farmhouse [ðət]
• was: past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• theirs: belonging to them [ðɛrz]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• but: introducing a contrast [bət]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• were frightened: were afraid [wər ˈfraɪtənd]
• to go inside: to enter the farmhouse [tɪ goʊ ˌɪnˈsaɪd]

After a moment, however, Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file, walking with the utmost care for fear of disturbing anything.

• After: following in time [ˈæftər]
• a moment: a short period of time [ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• however: introducing a contrast or qualification [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• Snowball: name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: connecting two characters [ənd]
• Napoleon: name of a character [nəˈpoʊljən]
• butted: struck or pushed forcefully with the head [butted]
• the door: the entrance [ðə dɔr]
• open: in an open position [ˈoʊpən]
• with: using [wɪθ]
• their shoulders: the part of the body between the neck and upper arm [ðɛr ˈʃoʊldərz]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• the animals: referring to the group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• entered: went into [ˈɛnərd]
• in single file: in a line, one behind the other [ɪn ˈsɪŋgəl faɪl]
• walking: moving on foot [ˈwɔkɪŋ]
• with: showing manner [wɪθ]
• the utmost care: the greatest caution [ðə ˈətˌmoʊst kɛr]
• for fear of: in order to avoid [fər fɪr əv]
• disturbing: interrupting or upsetting [dɪˈstərbɪŋ]
• anything: any object or thing [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]

They tiptoed from room to room, afraid to speak above a whisper and gazing with a kind of awe at the unbelievable luxury, at the beds with their feather mattresses, the lookingglasses, the horsehair sofa, the Brussels carpet, the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing-room mantelpiece.

• They: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• tiptoed: walked quietly and carefully [ˈtɪpˌtoʊd]
• from room to room: moving quietly from one room to another [frəm rum tɪ rum]
• afraid: feeling fear or apprehension [əˈfreɪd]
• to speak: to utter words [tɪ spik]
• above: louder than [əˈbəv]
• a whisper: a soft, quiet voice [ə ˈwɪspər]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• gazing: looking steadily and intently [ˈgeɪzɪŋ]
• with: showing manner [wɪθ]
• a kind of: a type of [ə kaɪnd əv]
• awe: a feeling of reverence or respect mixed with fear or wonder [ɔ]
• at: indicating the object of their gaze [æt]
• the unbelievable luxury: the extremely comfortable and extravagant conditions that are hard to believe [ðə ˌənbəˈlivəbəl ˈləgʒəri]
• at: indicating the object of their gaze [æt]
• the beds: furniture for sleeping [ðə bɛdz]
• with: having [wɪθ]
• their feather mattresses: mattresses filled with feathers, considered luxurious [ðɛr ˈfɛðər ˈmætrəsɪz]
• the lookingglasses: mirrors [ðə lookingglasses]
• the horsehair sofa: a sofa stuffed with horsehair [ðə horsehair ˈsoʊfə]
• the Brussels carpet: a type of woven carpet [ðə ˈbrəsəlz ˈkɑrpət]
• the lithograph: a print made by lithography [ðə ˈlɪθəˌgræf]
• of Queen Victoria: a picture of Queen Victoria [əv kwin vɪkˈtɔriə]
• over: above [ˈoʊvər]
• the drawing-room mantelpiece: the shelf above the fireplace in the drawing-room [ðə drawing-room mantelpiece]

They were lust coming down the stairs when Mollie was discovered to be missing.

• They: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• coming down: descending [ˈkəmɪŋ daʊn]
• the stairs: a set of steps leading from one floor to another [ðə stɛrz]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• Mollie: name of a character [ˈmɑli]
• was discovered: was found [wɑz dɪˈskəvərd]
• to be missing: to be absent [tɪ bi ˈmɪsɪŋ]

Going back, the others found that she had remained behind in the best bedroom.

• Going back: returning [goʊɪŋ bæk]
• the others: the remaining animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• found: discovered [faʊnd]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• she: referring to Mollie [ʃi]
• had remained behind: had stayed in the same place [hæd rɪˈmeɪnd bɪˈhaɪnd]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the best bedroom: the most luxurious bedroom [ðə bɛst ˈbɛˌdrum]

She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. Jones’s dressing-table, and was holding it against her shoulder and admiring herself in the glass in a very foolish manner.

• She: referring to Mollie [ʃi]
• had taken: had acquired [hæd ˈteɪkən]
• a piece of: a portion of [ə pis əv]
• blue ribbon: a strip of blue fabric [blu ˈrɪbən]
• from: indicating source [frəm]
• Mrs. Jones’s: belonging to Mrs. Jones [ˈmɪsɪz ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• dressing-table: a table used for grooming and applying makeup [dressing-table]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• was holding: was grasping [wɑz ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• it: referring to the blue ribbon [ɪt]
• against: in contact with [əˈgɛnst]
• her shoulder: the part of the body between the neck and upper arm [hər ˈʃoʊldər]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• admiring: regarding with pleasure [ædˈmaɪrɪŋ]
• herself: referring to Mollie [hərˈsɛlf]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the glass: the mirror [ðə glæs]
• in: showing manner [ɪn]
• a very foolish manner: a silly or unintelligent way [ə ˈvɛri ˈfulɪʃ ˈmænər]

The others reproached her sharply, and they went outside.

• The others: the remaining animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• reproached: expressed disapproval or criticism [reproached]
• her: referring to Mollie [hər]
• sharply: in a severe or critical way [ˈʃɑrpli]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• went outside: exited the building [wɛnt ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]

Some hams hanging in the kitchen were taken out for burial, and the barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick from Boxer’s hoof, – otherwise nothing in the house was touched.

• Some hams: cured pork [səm hæmz]
• hanging: suspended [ˈhæŋɪŋ]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the kitchen: the room where food is prepared [ðə ˈkɪʧən]
• were taken out: were removed [wər ˈteɪkən aʊt]
• for burial: to be buried [fər ˈbɛriəl]
• and: connecting the previous action with the next [ənd]
• the barrel: a cylindrical container [ðə ˈbɛrəl]
• of beer: alcoholic beverage [əv bɪr]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the scullery: a small room next to the kitchen for washing dishes and other chores [ðə scullery]
• was stove in: was broken open [wɑz stoʊv ɪn]
• with: using [wɪθ]
• a kick: a strike with the foot [ə kɪk]
• from: indicating source [frəm]
• Boxer’s: belonging to Boxer [ˈbɑksərz]
• hoof: the hard part of an animal's foot [huf]
• otherwise: in other respects; apart from that [ˈəðərˌwaɪz]
• nothing: no thing; not anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the house: the building [ðə haʊs]
• was touched: was handled or altered [wɑz təʧt]

A unanimous resolution was passed on the spot that the farmhouse should be preserved as a museum.

• A unanimous resolution: a decision agreed upon by everyone [ə juˈnænəməs ˌrɛzəˈluʃən]
• was passed: was approved [wɑz pæst]
• on the spot: immediately; at that location [ɔn ðə spɑt]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• the farmhouse: the farmer's house [ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• should be preserved: should be kept in its original condition [ʃʊd bi prɪˈzərvd]
• as: in the role of [ɛz]
• a museum: a building where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited [ə mˈjuziəm]

All were agreed that no animal must ever live there.

• All: everyone [ɔl]
• were agreed: were in agreement [wər əˈgrid]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• no animal: not a single animal [noʊ ˈænəməl]
• must: expressing necessity [məst]
• ever: at any time [ˈɛvər]
• live there: reside in that place [lɪv ðɛr]

The animals had their breakfast, and then Snowball and Napoleon called them together again.

• The animals: referring to a group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• their breakfast: the morning meal belonging to the animals [ðɛr ˈbrɛkfəst]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• Napoleon: a character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• called: past tense of 'call', meaning to summon or gather [kɔld]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• together: into one place or group [təˈgɛðər]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]

‘Comrades,’ said Snowball, ‘it is half-past six and we have a long day before us.

• Comrades: a term of address suggesting fellowship or shared purpose [‘‘comrades’*’]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• it is: referring to the time [‘‘it ɪz]
• half-past six: 30 minutes past six o'clock [half-past sɪks]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• we: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• have: to possess or experience [hæv]
• a long day: a day filled with many tasks or activities [ə lɔŋ deɪ]
• before: in front of; ahead of [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• us: referring to the group including the speaker [ˈjuˈɛs]

Today we begin the hay harvest.

• Today: the current day [təˈdeɪ]
• we: referring to a group including the speaker [wi]
• begin: to start or commence [bɪˈgɪn]
• the hay harvest: the process of gathering and collecting hay [ðə heɪ ˈhɑrvəst]

The pigs now revealed that during the past three months they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr. Jones’s children and which had been thrown on the rubbish heap.

• The pigs: referring to a group of pigs [ðə pɪgz]
• now: at the present time; currently [naʊ]
• revealed: past tense of 'reveal', meaning to make known [rɪˈvild]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• during: throughout the course of [ˈdʊrɪŋ]
• the past three months: the three months that have recently passed [ðə pæst θri mənθs]
• they: referring to the pigs [ðeɪ]
• had taught: past perfect tense of 'teach', meaning to impart knowledge or skills [hæd tɔt]
• themselves: reflexive pronoun, referring back to 'they' [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• to read: to understand written words [tɪ rɛd]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• write: to form letters or words on a surface [raɪt]
• from: indicating the source or origin [frəm]
• an old spelling book: a book used to teach spelling [ən oʊld ˈspɛlɪŋ bʊk]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause referring to the book [wɪʧ]
• had belonged: past perfect tense of 'belong', meaning to be owned by [hæd bɪˈlɔŋd]
• to Mr. Jones’s children: the children of Mr. Jones [tɪ ˈmɪstər ˈʤoʊnzɪz ˈʧɪldrən]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause referring to the book [wɪʧ]
• had been thrown: past perfect passive voice of 'throw', meaning to be discarded [hæd bɪn θroʊn]
• on: indicating placement upon [ɔn]
• the rubbish heap: a pile of discarded waste or trash [ðə ˈrəbɪʃ hip]

Napoleon sent for pots of black and white paint and led the way down to the five-barred gate that gave on to the main road.

• Napoleon: a character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• sent for: to request or summon [sɛnt fər]
• pots: containers [pɑts]
• of black: the color black [əv blæk]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• white: the color white [waɪt]
• paint: a colored substance used for decoration or protection [peɪnt]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• led: past tense of 'lead', meaning to guide or direct [lɛd]
• the way: the path or direction [ðə weɪ]
• down: in a downward direction [daʊn]
• to: indicating direction or destination [tɪ]
• the five-barred gate: a gate with five horizontal bars [ðə five-barred geɪt]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• gave: past tense of 'give', meaning to provide access [geɪv]
• on to: leading to [ɔn tɪ]
• the main road: the primary road [ðə meɪn roʊd]

Then Snowball (for it was Snowball who was best at writing) took a brush between the two knuckles of his trotter, painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM.

• Then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• for: introducing an explanation [(fər]
• it: referring to Snowball's action [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• who: used to introduce a relative clause referring to Snowball [hu]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• best: superlative form of 'good', meaning the most skilled [bɛst]
• at writing: skilled in the act of writing [æt ˈraɪtɪŋ]
• took: past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or hold [tʊk]
• a brush: an implement with bristles used for painting [ə brəʃ]
• between: in the space separating two things [bɪtˈwin]
• the two knuckles: the joints of the fingers [ðə tu ˈnəkəlz]
• of his trotter: the foot of a pig [əv hɪz ˈtrɑtər]
• painted out: to cover with paint to obscure or remove [ˈpeɪnɪd aʊt]
• MANOR FARM: the original name of the farm [ˈmænər fɑrm]
• from: indicating removal or separation [frəm]
• the top bar: the highest horizontal bar [ðə tɔp bɑr]
• of the gate: the gate's structure [əv ðə geɪt]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• in its place: instead of the original name [ɪn ɪts pleɪs]
• painted: past tense of 'paint', meaning to apply paint [ˈpeɪnɪd]
• ANIMAL FARM: the new name of the farm [ˈænəməl fɑrm]

This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards.

• This: referring to the new name [ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• to be: indicating future intention [tɪ bi]
• the name: the designation or title [ðə neɪm]
• of the farm: the farm's designation [əv ðə fɑrm]
• from now onwards: from this point forward [frəm naʊ ˈɑnwərdz]

After this they went back to the farm buildings, where Snowball and Napoleon sent for a ladder which they caused to be set against the end wall of the big barn.

• After: following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• this: referring to the action of renaming the farm [ðɪs]
• they: referring to the animals, specifically Snowball and Napoleon [ðeɪ]
• went back: returned [wɛnt bæk]
• to: indicating direction or destination [tɪ]
• the farm buildings: the structures on the farm [ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• where: at which place [wɛr]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• Napoleon: a character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• sent for: to request or summon [sɛnt fər]
• a ladder: a structure used for climbing [ə ˈlædər]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause referring to the ladder [wɪʧ]
• they: referring to Snowball and Napoleon [ðeɪ]
• caused: to make something happen [kɔzd]
• to be set: to be placed [tɪ bi sɛt]
• against: in contact with [əˈgɛnst]
• the end wall: the wall at the end [ðə ɛnd wɔl]
• of the big barn: the large storage building [əv ðə bɪg bɑrn]

They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments.

• They: referring to Snowball and Napoleon [ðeɪ]
• explained: past tense of 'explain', meaning to make clear [ɪkˈspleɪnd]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• by: through the means of [baɪ]
• their studies: their efforts to learn [ðɛr ˈstədiz]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• the past three months: the three months that have recently passed [ðə pæst θri mənθs]
• the pigs: referring to the pigs [ðə pɪgz]
• had succeeded: past perfect tense of 'succeed', meaning to achieve a desired outcome [hæd səkˈsidɪd]
• in reducing: to simplify or condense [ɪn rɪˈdusɪŋ]
• the principles: the fundamental truths or propositions [ðə ˈprɪnsəpəlz]
• of Animalism: the ideology or philosophy of the animals [əv animalism]
• to: indicating a result or outcome [tɪ]
• Seven Commandments: seven fundamental rules or laws [ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]

These Seven Commandments would now be inscribed on the wall; they would form an unalterable law by which all the animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after.

• These: referring to the Seven Commandments [ðiz]
• Seven Commandments: seven fundamental rules or laws [ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• would: indicating future intention or possibility [wʊd]
• now: at the present time; currently [naʊ]
• be inscribed: to be written or engraved [bi ˌɪnˈskraɪbd]
• on: indicating placement upon [ɔn]
• the wall: the vertical structure of a building [ðə wɔl]
• they: referring to the Seven Commandments [ðeɪ]
• would form: to create or establish [wʊd fɔrm]
• an unalterable law: a law that cannot be changed [ən əˈnɔltərəbəl lɔ]
• by which: according to which [baɪ wɪʧ]
• all the animals: every animal [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• on Animal Farm: the animals living on Animal Farm [ɔn ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• must: indicating obligation or necessity [məst]
• live: to exist or conduct one's life [lɪv]
• for ever after: from that time onward without end [fər ˈɛvər ˈæftər]

With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work, with Squealer a few rungs below him holding the paint-pot.

• With: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• some difficulty: a degree of trouble or effort [səm ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]
• for: introducing an explanation [(fər]
• it: referring to the action of climbing [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]
• not easy: not simple or effortless [nɑt ˈizi]
• for a pig: referring to a pig [fər ə pɪg]
• to balance: to maintain equilibrium [tɪ ˈbæləns]
• himself: reflexive pronoun, referring back to 'pig' [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• on: indicating placement upon [ɔn]
• a ladder: a structure used for climbing [ə ˈlædər]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• climbed up: ascended [klaɪmd əp]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• set to work: began working [sɛt tɪ wərk]
• with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• Squealer: a character's name [squealer]
• a few rungs: a few steps on the ladder [ə fju rəŋz]
• below: lower than [bɪˈloʊ]
• him: referring to Snowball [ɪm]
• holding: grasping or supporting [ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• the paint-pot: the container of paint [ðə paint-pot]

The Commandments were written on the tarred wall in great white letters that could be read thirty yards away.

• The Commandments: the fundamental rules or laws [ðə kəˈmændmənts]
• were written: past passive voice of 'write', meaning to be recorded in writing [wər ˈrɪtən]
• on: indicating placement upon [ɔn]
• the tarred wall: a wall covered in tar [ðə tɑrd wɔl]
• in: indicating the manner or means [ɪn]
• great white letters: large letters in the color white [greɪt waɪt ˈlɛtərz]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• could be read: able to be read or understood [kʊd bi rɛd]
• thirty yards: a unit of distance, thirty yards [ˈθərˌdi jɑrdz]
• away: at a distance [əˈweɪ]