Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 12

THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS

• THE: definite article, used to refer to specific commandments [ðə]
• SEVEN: the number 7 [ˈsɛvən]
• COMMANDMENTS: a set of rules or principles that are considered important and should be followed [kəˈmændmənts]

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

• Whatever: anything that [ˌwəˈtɛvər]
• goes: moves [goʊz]
• upon: on [əˈpɑn]
• two legs: creatures that walk on two legs, typically humans [tu lɛgz]
• is: third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• an enemy: a foe; someone or something that is opposed to or dislikes someone or something [ən ˈɛnəmi]

2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

• Whatever: anything that [ˌwəˈtɛvər]
• goes: moves [goʊz]
• upon: on [əˈpɑn]
• four legs: creatures that walk on four legs [fɔr lɛgz]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• has wings: possesses wings [həz wɪŋz]
• is: third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• a friend: someone who is liked and trusted [ə frɛnd]

3. No animal shall wear clothes.

• No: not any [noʊ]
• animal: a living organism that feeds on organic matter [ˈænəməl]
• shall: used to express a command or strong assertion [ʃæl]
• wear: to have on one's body as clothing [wɛr]
• clothes: items worn to cover the body [kloʊðz]

4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.

• No: not any [noʊ]
• animal: a living organism that feeds on organic matter [ˈænəməl]
• shall: used to express a command or strong assertion [ʃæl]
• sleep: to rest with eyes closed [slip]
• in: inside [ɪn]
• a bed: a piece of furniture for sleeping on [ə bɛd]

5. No animal shall drink alcohol.

• No: not any [noʊ]
• animal: a living organism that feeds on organic matter [ˈænəməl]
• shall: used to express a command or strong assertion [ʃæl]
• drink: to consume liquid [drɪŋk]
• alcohol: an intoxicating beverage [ˈælkəˌhɑl]

6. No animal shall kill any other animal.

• No: not any [noʊ]
• animal: a living organism that feeds on organic matter [ˈænəməl]
• shall: used to express a command or strong assertion [ʃæl]
• kill: to cause the death of [kɪl]
• any: one or some or every or all without specification [ˈɛni]
• other: different or distinct from the one already mentioned or known about [ˈəðər]
• animal: a living organism that feeds on organic matter [ˈænəməl]

7. All animals are equal.

• All: the whole of [ɔl]
• animals: living organisms that feed on organic matter [ˈænəməlz]
• are: plural present of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• equal: being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value [ˈikwəl]

It was very neatly written, and except that ‘friend’ was written ‘freind’ and one of the ‘S’s’ was the wrong way round, the spelling was correct all the way through.

• It: refers to the commandments [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• very: to a great degree [ˈvɛri]
• neatly: in a tidy and careful way [ˈnitli]
• written: past participle of 'write', meaning to form letters or words on a surface [ˈrɪtən]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [‘‘friend]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• written: past participle of 'write', meaning to form letters or words on a surface [ˈrɪtən]
• freind: misspelling of 'friend' [‘‘freind]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• one: a single [wən]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• S’s: plural of the letter 'S' [‘‘ss]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• wrong: not correct or true [rɔŋ]
• way: direction [weɪ]
• round: in a circular direction or position [raʊnd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• spelling: the process or activity of writing or naming the letters of a word [ˈspɛlɪŋ]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• correct: free from error; in accordance with fact or truth [kərˈɛkt]
• all: completely [ɔl]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• way: throughout the entire distance or course [weɪ]
• through: moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location [θru]

Snowball read it aloud for the benefit of the others.

• Snowball: name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• read: past tense of 'read', meaning to look at and understand the meaning of written or printed matter [rɛd]
• it: refers to the commandments [ɪt]
• aloud: in a voice loud enough to be heard [əˈlaʊd]
• for: with the purpose of [fər]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• benefit: an advantage or profit gained from something [ˈbɛnəfɪt]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• others: other people or things [ˈəðərz]

All the animals nodded in complete agreement, and the cleverer ones at once began to learn the Commandments by heart.

• All: the whole of [ɔl]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• animals: living organisms that feed on organic matter [ˈænəməlz]
• nodded: lowered and raised their heads slightly and briefly [ˈnɑdɪd]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• complete: having all the necessary or appropriate parts [kəmˈplit]
• agreement: harmony or accordance in opinion or feeling [əˈgrimənt]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• cleverer: more intelligent [cleverer]
• ones: people or things of a specified kind [wənz]
• at once: immediately [æt wəns]
• began: past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• to: used with an infinitive verb [tɪ]
• learn: to gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught [lərn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific item [ðə]
• Commandments: a set of rules or principles that are considered important and should be followed [kəˈmændmənts]
• by heart: from memory [baɪ hɑrt]

‘Now, comrades,’ cried Snowball, throwing down the paint-brush, ‘to the hayfield!

• Now: An introductory word, indicating the start of a statement or action [‘‘now]
• comrades: A term used to address fellow members or allies, often in a socialist or communist context [ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• cried: Exclaimed loudly; expressed strong emotion [kraɪd]
• Snowball: Name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• throwing down: Quickly discarding or releasing something [θroʊɪŋ daʊn]
• the paint-brush: A tool used for applying paint [ðə paint-brush]
• to the hayfield: Direction towards the field where hay is grown or stored [tɪ ðə ˈheɪˌfild]

But at this moment the three cows, who had seemed uneasy for some timepast, set up a loud lowing.

• But: A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• at this moment: At this specific point in time [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• the three cows: Specifically, three female bovine animals [ðə θri kaʊz]
• who: A relative pronoun referring to the cows [hu]
• had seemed: Gave the impression of being [hæd simd]
• uneasy: Restless or uncomfortable [əˈnizi]
• set up: Began or initiated [sɛt əp]
• a loud lowing: A loud, mooing sound made by cows [ə laʊd loʊɪŋ]

They had not been milked for twenty-four hours, and their udders were almost bursting.

• They: Referring to the three cows [ðeɪ]
• had not been milked: The process of extracting milk from their udders had not been performed [hæd nɑt bɪn mɪlkt]
• for twenty-four hours: A full day; a period of 24 hours [fər tˈwɛntiˌfɔr aʊərz]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]
• their udders: The milk-producing organs of the cows [ðɛr udders]
• were almost bursting: Were nearly at the point of rupturing due to being overly full [wər ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈbərstɪŋ]

After a little thought, the pigs sent for buckets and milked the cows fairly successfully, their trotters being well adapted to this task.

• After: Following [ˈæftər]
• a little thought: A brief period of consideration [ə ˈlɪtəl θɔt]
• the pigs: Referring to the pigs [ðə pɪgz]
• sent for: Requested or summoned [sɛnt fər]
• buckets: Containers used for holding liquids [ˈbəkəts]
• and: A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• milked: Extracted milk from [mɪlkt]
• the cows: Referring to the cows [ðə kaʊz]
• fairly successfully: With a reasonable degree of success [ˈfɛrli səkˈsɛsfəli]
• their trotters: The feet of the pigs [ðɛr trotters]
• being: Because of [biɪŋ]
• well adapted: Suitable or appropriate [wɛl əˈdæptɪd]
• to this task: For the specific job of milking [tɪ ðɪs tæsk]

Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest.

• Soon: Shortly after [sun]
• there were: There existed [ðɛr wər]
• five buckets: Five containers full of something [faɪv ˈbəkəts]
• of frothing creamy milk: Milk that was foamy and rich [əv frothing ˈkrimi mɪlk]
• at which: Toward which [æt wɪʧ]
• many of the animals: A large number of the animals [ˈmɛni əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• looked: Gazed or observed [lʊkt]
• with considerable interest: With a significant amount of curiosity [wɪθ kənˈsɪdərəbəl ˈɪntəˌrɛst]

‘What is going to happen to all that milk?’ said someone.

• What: interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [‘‘what]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• going to happen: future tense construction indicating an event that will occur [goʊɪŋ tɪ ˈhæpən]
• to: preposition indicating direction, purpose, or relationship [tɪ]
• all that milk: refers to the entire quantity of milk mentioned previously [ɔl ðət mɪlk]
• said: past tense of the verb 'to say', indicating someone spoke [sɛd]
• someone: an unspecified or unknown person [ˈsəmˌwən]

‘Jones used sometimes to mix some of it in our mash,’ said one of the hens.

• Jones: a proper noun, likely the name of a person [‘‘jones]
• used: past tense of the verb 'to use', indicating a past habit or custom [juzd]
• sometimes: adverb indicating that something happens occasionally but not regularly [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• to mix: to combine or blend together into one mass or mixture [tɪ mɪks]
• some of it: a portion of the milk [səm əv ɪt]
• in: preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]
• our mash: a soft mixture of ground feed for animals [ɑr mæʃ]
• said: past tense of the verb 'to say', indicating someone spoke [sɛd]
• one of the hens: identifies the speaker as one of the female chickens [wən əv ðə hɛnz]

‘Never mind the milk, comrades!’ cried Napoleon, placing himself in front of the buckets. ‘That will be attended to.

• Never mind: an idiom meaning 'do not worry about' or 'ignore' [‘‘never maɪnd]
• the milk: refers to the milk [ðə mɪlk]
• comrades: term used to address fellow members of a group, often with a sense of solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• cried: past tense of the verb 'to cry', indicating a loud exclamation [kraɪd]
• Napoleon: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [nəˈpoʊljən]
• placing: verb indicating the act of putting something in a specific location [ˈpleɪsɪŋ]
• himself: reflexive pronoun referring back to Napoleon [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• in front of: preposition indicating position directly ahead of something [ɪn frənt əv]
• the buckets: containers for holding liquids [ðə ˈbəkəts]
• That: pronoun referring to the milk [‘‘that]
• will be attended to: future passive construction meaning 'will be taken care of' [wɪl bi əˈtɛndəd tɪ]

The harvest is more important.

• The harvest: the process of gathering crops [ðə ˈhɑrvəst]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• more important: of greater significance or value [mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]

Comrade Snowball will lead the way.

• Comrade: term used to address fellow members of a group, often with a sense of solidarity [ˈkɑmˌræd]
• Snowball: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• will lead: future tense indicating that Snowball will guide or direct [wɪl lɛd]
• the way: the path or direction [ðə weɪ]

I shall follow in a few minutes.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• shall follow: future tense indicating that the speaker will come after [ʃæl ˈfɑloʊ]
• in: preposition indicating time or manner [ɪn]
• a few minutes: a short period of time [ə fju ˈmɪnəts]

Forward, comrades!

• Forward: adverb indicating movement ahead [ˈfɔrwərd]
• comrades: term used to address fellow members of a group, often with a sense of solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]

So the animals trooped down to the hayfield to begin the harvest, and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared.

• So: conjunction indicating a consequence or result [soʊ]
• the animals: refers to the group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• trooped: past tense of the verb 'to troop', meaning to move together as a group [trupt]
• down: adverb indicating movement to a lower place or direction [daʊn]
• to: preposition indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the hayfield: a field where hay is grown or stored [ðə ˈheɪˌfild]
• to begin: to start or commence [tɪ bɪˈgɪn]
• the harvest: the process of gathering crops [ðə ˈhɑrvəst]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• when: conjunction indicating time [wɪn]
• they: pronoun referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• came back: past tense of the verb 'to come back', meaning to return [keɪm bæk]
• in: preposition indicating time [ɪn]
• the evening: the period of time at the end of the day [ðə ˈivnɪŋ]
• it: pronoun referring to an unspecified subject [ɪt]
• was noticed: passive voice indicating that something was observed [wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the milk: refers to the milk [ðə mɪlk]
• had disappeared: past perfect tense indicating that the milk vanished before the time of the narration [hæd ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]

III

How they toiled and sweated to get the hay in!

• How: used to express surprise, admiration, or other strong emotion [haʊ]
• they: refers to a group of animals, likely the farm animals [ðeɪ]
• toiled: worked extremely hard or relentlessly [tɔɪld]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• sweated: exerted oneself physically to the point of perspiring [sˈwɛtɪd]
• to get: in order to obtain or achieve something [tɪ gɪt]
• the hay in: to gather and store the hay [ðə heɪ ɪn]

But their efforts were rewarded, for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• their: belonging to the animals mentioned earlier [ðɛr]
• efforts: hard work or attempts to achieve something [ˈɛfərts]
• were rewarded: produced a positive outcome or benefit [wər rɪˈwɔrdɪd]
• for: because [fər]
• the harvest: the process or period of gathering crops [ðə ˈhɑrvəst]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• an even bigger success: a greater achievement than before [ən ˈivɪn ˈbɪgər səkˈsɛs]
• than: used for comparison [ðən]
• they: the animals [ðeɪ]
• had hoped: what they had wished for [hæd hoʊpt]