Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 14

But everyone worked according to his capacity The hens and ducks, for instance, saved five bushels of corn at the harvest by gathering up the stray grains.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a statement [bət]
• everyone: every person; all people [ˈɛvriˌwən]
• worked: past tense of 'work', meaning to exert effort; to perform a task [wərkt]
• according to: in proportion to; in agreement with [əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ]
• his: belonging to him; possessive pronoun [hɪz]
• capacity: the maximum amount that something can contain; ability to do something [kəˈpæsɪti]
• The hens and ducks: referring to the female chickens and waterfowls collectively [ðə hɛnz ənd dəks]
• for instance: as an example; for example [fər ˈɪnstəns]
• saved: past tense of 'save', meaning to keep safe or rescue; in this context, to conserve [seɪvd]
• five bushels of corn: a unit of dry measure, approximately 35.2 liters, of corn [faɪv ˈbʊʃəlz əv kɔrn]
• at the harvest: during the time of gathering crops [æt ðə ˈhɑrvəst]
• by gathering up: by collecting; by picking up [baɪ ˈgæðərɪŋ əp]
• the stray grains: the grains that have fallen or been scattered [ðə streɪ greɪnz]

Nobody stole, nobody grumbled over his rations, the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared.

• Nobody: no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• stole: past tense of 'steal', meaning to take something without permission [stoʊl]
• nobody: no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• grumbled: past tense of 'grumble', meaning to complain in a low, indistinct way [ˈgrəmbəld]
• over: concerning; about [ˈoʊvər]
• his: belonging to him; possessive pronoun [hɪz]
• rations: a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [ˈræʃənz]
• the quarrelling: arguing or fighting [ðə quarrelling]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• biting: using the teeth to cut or wound something [ˈbaɪtɪŋ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• jealousy: the state or feeling of being jealous [ˈʤɛləsi]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause [wɪʧ]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'be', indicating a state that existed before a specific time in the past [hæd bɪn]
• normal: usual; ordinary [ˈnɔrməl]
• features: a distinctive attribute or aspect of something [ˈfiʧərz]
• of life: relating to existence or the condition of being alive [əv laɪf]
• in the old days: in the past; formerly [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]
• had almost disappeared: had nearly vanished; had nearly ceased to exist [hæd ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]

Nobody shirked – or almost nobody.

• Nobody: no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• shirked: past tense of 'shirk', meaning to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility [ʃərkt]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• almost: nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• nobody: no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]

Mollie, it was true, was not good at getting up in the mornings, and had a way of leaving work early on the ground that there was a stone in her hoof.

• Mollie: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈmɑli]
• it was true: admitting that something is the case [ɪt wɑz tru]
• was not good at: did not excel at; lacked skill in [wɑz nɑt gʊd æt]
• getting up: rising from bed [ˈgɪtɪŋ əp]
• in the mornings: during the early part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• a way of: a habit or tendency [ə weɪ əv]
• leaving: departing from; going away from [ˈlivɪŋ]
• work: activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]
• early: before the usual or expected time [ˈərli]
• on the ground that: because of; due to the reason that [ɔn ðə graʊnd ðət]
• there was: there existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• a stone: a small rock [ə stoʊn]
• in her hoof: in the hard covering of the foot of an animal, such as a horse [ɪn hər huf]

And the behaviour of the cat was somewhat peculiar.

• And: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the behaviour: the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves [ðə bɪˈheɪvjər]
• of the cat: referring to the feline animal [əv ðə kæt]
• was: past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• somewhat: to some extent; rather [ˈsəmˈwət]
• peculiar: strange; odd [pɪˈkjuljər]

It was soon noticed that when there was work to be done the cat could never be found.

• It was soon noticed: it was quickly observed [ɪt wɑz sun ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• there was: there existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• work: activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]
• to be done: needing to be completed [tɪ bi dən]
• the cat: referring to the feline animal [ðə kæt]
• could never be found: was always impossible to locate [kʊd ˈnɛvər bi faʊnd]

She would vanish for hours on end, and then reappear at meal-times, or in the evening after work was over, as though nothing had happened.

• She: pronoun referring to the cat [ʃi]
• would vanish: would disappear suddenly and completely [wʊd ˈvænɪʃ]
• for hours on end: for a long, continuous period of time [fər aʊərz ɔn ɛnd]
• and then: and after that [ənd ðɛn]
• reappear: appear again [ˌriəˈpɪr]
• at meal-times: during the times when meals are eaten [æt meal-times]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• in the evening: during the later part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]
• after work was over: after the work had finished [ˈæftər wərk wɑz ˈoʊvər]
• as though: as if; like [ɛz ðoʊ]
• nothing had happened: no event had occurred [ˈnəθɪŋ hæd ˈhæpənd]

But she always made such excellent excuses, and purred so affectionately, that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a statement [bət]
• she: pronoun referring to the cat [ʃi]
• always: at all times; on all occasions [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce [meɪd]
• such excellent excuses: very good reasons or justifications for her actions [səʧ ˈɛksələnt ɪkˈskjuzɪz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• purred: made a low continuous vibratory sound expressing contentment [purred]
• so affectionately: in a loving and caring manner [soʊ əˈfɛkʃənətli]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it was impossible: it was not possible [ɪt wɑz ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl]
• not to believe: to be unable to disbelieve [nɑt tɪ bɪˈliv]
• in her good intentions: in her sincere and positive purposes [ɪn hər gʊd ˌɪnˈtɛnʧənz]

Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion.

• Old Benjamin: referring to an elderly character named Benjamin [oʊld ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• the donkey: referring to the animal [ðə ˈdɔŋki]
• seemed: appeared to be [simd]
• quite unchanged: completely the same [kwaɪt ənˈʧeɪnʤd]
• since the Rebellion: from the time of the uprising or revolt [sɪns ðə rɪˈbɛljən]

He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones’s time, never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either.

• He: pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]
• did his work: performed his tasks [dɪd hɪz wərk]
• in the same: in an identical manner [ɪn ðə seɪm]
• slow: moving or operating at a low speed [sloʊ]
• obstinate: stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action [ˈɑbstənət]
• way: a method, style, or manner of doing something [weɪ]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• he had done it: he had performed the work [hi hæd dən ɪt]
• in Jones’s time: during the period when Jones was in charge [ɪn ˈʤoʊnzɪz taɪm]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• shirking: avoiding or neglecting a duty or responsibility [ˈʃərkɪŋ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• volunteering: offering to do something without being asked [ˌvɔlənˈtɪrɪŋ]
• for extra work: for additional tasks [fər ˈɛkstrə wərk]
• either: used to indicate that the statement applies to both possibilities [ˈiðər]

About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion.

• About: concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• the Rebellion: referring to the uprising or revolt [ðə rɪˈbɛljən]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• its: belonging to it; possessive pronoun [ɪts]
• results: a consequence, effect, or outcome of something [rɪˈzəlts]
• he: pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]
• would express: would state or make known [wʊd ɪkˈsprɛs]
• no opinion: no view or judgment formed about something [noʊ əˈpɪnjən]

When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone, he would say only ‘Donkeys live a long time.

• When: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• asked: having been questioned [æst]
• whether: expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]
• he was not happier: he was not more content or joyful [hi wɑz nɑt ˈhæpiər]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Jones: a proper noun, likely a character's name [ʤoʊnz]
• was gone: had left; had disappeared [wɑz gɔn]
• he: pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]
• would say: would state or utter [wʊd seɪ]
• only: and no one or nothing more besides [ˈoʊnli]
• Donkeys: referring to the animal [‘‘donkeys]
• live: to be alive; to exist [lɪv]
• a long time: for an extended period [ə lɔŋ taɪm]

None of you has ever seen a dead donkey,’ and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer.

• None of you: not any of you [nən əv ju]
• has ever seen: has at any time in the past observed [həz ˈɛvər sin]
• a dead donkey: a donkey that is no longer alive [ə dɛd ˈdɔŋki]
• and: conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the others: the remaining people or animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• had to be: were required to be [hæd tɪ bi]
• content: satisfied; pleased [ˈkɑntɛnt]
• with: accompanied by; along with [wɪθ]
• this: referring to the statement [ðɪs]
• cryptic: mysterious or obscure [ˈkrɪptɪk]
• answer: a reply or response [ˈænsər]

On Sundays there was no work.

• On Sundays: Referring to every Sunday; indicating a recurring event on Sundays [ɔn ˈsənˌdiz]
• there was no work: Meaning that no labor or employment was performed on Sundays [ðɛr wɑz noʊ wərk]

Breakfast was an hour later than usual, and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail.

• Breakfast: The first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning [ˈbrɛkfəst]
• was: Past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• an hour later: One hour later in time than the usual time [ən aʊər ˈleɪtər]
• than usual: Compared to what is typical or customary [ðən ˈjuʒəwəl]
• and after breakfast: Following the meal of breakfast [ənd ˈæftər ˈbrɛkfəst]
• there was: Indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• a ceremony: A formal religious or public occasion, typically one celebrating a particular event or anniversary [ə ˈsɛrəˌmoʊni]
• which was observed: That was followed or watched carefully [wɪʧ wɑz əbˈzərvd]
• every week: Each week; on a weekly basis [ˈɛvəri wik]
• without fail: Certainly; always; without exception [wɪˈθaʊt feɪl]

First came the hoisting of the flag.

• First came: The initial event or action was [fərst keɪm]
• the hoisting of the flag: The act of raising a flag on a pole or mast [ðə ˈhɔɪstɪŋ əv ðə flæg]

Snowball had found in the harness-room an old green tablecloth of Mrs. Jones’s and had painted on it a hoof and a horn in white.

• Snowball: Name of a character, likely an animal in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• had found: Past perfect tense of 'find', indicating that Snowball had discovered something [hæd faʊnd]
• in the harness-room: A room where harnesses and other equipment for animals are stored [ɪn ðə harness-room]
• an old green tablecloth: A covering for a table that is green and old [ən oʊld grin ˈteɪbəlˌklɔθ]
• of Mrs. Jones’s: Belonging to Mrs. Jones, a character in the story [əv ˈmɪsɪz ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• and had painted: And had applied paint to something [ənd hæd ˈpeɪnɪd]
• on it: Referring to the tablecloth [ɔn ɪt]
• a hoof and a horn: The foot of an animal and a pointed projection from the head of an animal [ə huf ənd ə hɔrn]
• in white: Using white paint or color [ɪn waɪt]

This was run up the flagstaff in the farmhouse garden every Sunday morning.

• This: Referring to the tablecloth with the hoof and horn painted on it [ðɪs]
• was run up: Was raised quickly [wɑz rən əp]
• the flagstaff: A pole or mast on which a flag is flown [ðə ˈflægˌstæf]
• in the farmhouse garden: In the garden of the farmhouse [ɪn ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈgɑrdən]
• every Sunday morning: Each Sunday morning; on a weekly basis [ˈɛvəri ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ]

The flag was green, Snowball explained, to represent the green fields of England, while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown.

• The flag: Referring to the flag with the hoof and horn [ðə flæg]
• was green: The color of the flag was green [wɑz grin]
• Snowball explained: Snowball, a character, provided an explanation [sˈnoʊˌbɔl ɪkˈspleɪnd]
• to represent: To symbolize or stand for [tɪ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt]
• the green fields: Fields that are green in color, typically with grass or crops [ðə grin fildz]
• of England: Referring to the country of England [əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• while: Used to contrast two things [waɪl]
• the hoof and horn: The foot of an animal and a pointed projection from the head of an animal [ðə huf ənd hɔrn]
• signified: Represented or meant [ˈsɪgnəˌfaɪd]
• the future Republic of the Animals: A future state where animals govern themselves [ðə fˈjuʧər riˈpəblɪk əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• which would arise: That would come into existence [wɪʧ wʊd əraɪz]
• when the human race: When humans as a species [wɪn ðə ˈjumən reɪs]
• had been finally overthrown: Had been completely defeated and removed from power [hæd bɪn ˈfaɪnəli ˌoʊvərθˈroʊn]

After the hoisting of the flag all the animals trooped into the big barn for a general assembly which was known as the Meeting.

• After the hoisting of the flag: Following the act of raising the flag [ˈæftər ðə ˈhɔɪstɪŋ əv ðə flæg]
• all the animals: Every animal [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• trooped into: Moved together as a group into [trupt ˈɪntu]
• the big barn: A large building used for storing crops or housing animals [ðə bɪg bɑrn]
• for a general assembly: For a meeting of all members [fər ə ˈʤɛnərəl əˈsɛmbli]
• which was known as: That was called [wɪʧ wɑz noʊn ɛz]
• the Meeting: The name of the assembly or gathering [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]

Here the work of the coming week was planned out and resolutions were put forward and debated.

• Here: In this place; at this point [hir]
• the work of the coming week: The tasks and activities planned for the next week [ðə wərk əv ðə ˈkəmɪŋ wik]
• was planned out: Was organized and scheduled [wɑz plænd aʊt]
• and resolutions: Formal expressions of opinion or decisions [ənd ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]
• were put forward: Were presented or proposed [wər pʊt ˈfɔrwərd]
• and debated: And discussed or argued about [ənd dəˈbeɪtɪd]

It was always the pigs who put forward the resolutions.

• It was always: It was consistently the case that [ɪt wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• the pigs: Referring to the pigs, likely characters in the story [ðə pɪgz]
• who put forward: Who presented or proposed [hu pʊt ˈfɔrwərd]
• the resolutions: The formal expressions of opinion or decisions [ðə ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]

The other animals understood how to vote, but could never think of any resolutions of their own.

• The other animals: The remaining animals [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• understood: Comprehended or knew [ˌəndərˈstʊd]
• how to vote: The method or process of casting a vote [haʊ tɪ voʊt]
• but could never think: But were unable to conceive or imagine [bət kʊd ˈnɛvər θɪŋk]
• of any resolutions: Of any formal expressions of opinion or decisions [əv ˈɛni ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]
• of their own: That originated from themselves [əv ðɛr oʊn]

Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates.

• Snowball and Napoleon: Names of characters, likely animals in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl ənd nəˈpoʊljən]
• were by far: Were considerably or significantly [wər baɪ fɑr]
• the most active: The most engaged or involved [ðə moʊst ˈæktɪv]
• in the debates: In the discussions or arguments [ɪn ðə dəˈbeɪts]

But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted on to oppose it.

• But it was noticed: However, it was observed [bət ɪt wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that these two: Referring to Snowball and Napoleon [ðət ðiz tu]
• were never in agreement: Never had the same opinion or reached a consensus [wər ˈnɛvər ɪn əˈgrimənt]
• whatever suggestion: Any proposal or idea [ˌwəˈtɛvər səˈʤɛsʧən]
• either of them made: That either Snowball or Napoleon proposed [ˈiðər əv ðɛm meɪd]
• the other: The remaining one of the two [ðə ˈəðər]
• could be counted on: Could be relied upon [kʊd bi ˈkaʊntɪd ɔn]
• to oppose it: To disagree with or resist it [tɪ əˈpoʊz ɪt]

Even when it was resolved – a thing no one could object to in itself – to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work, there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal.

• Even when: Even in the situation that [ˈivɪn wɪn]
• it was resolved: A decision was made [ɪt wɑz riˈzɑlvd]
• a thing no one could object to: Something that nobody could disagree with [ə θɪŋ noʊ wən kʊd ˈɑbʤɛkt tɪ]
• in itself: On its own; inherently [ɪn ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• to set aside: To allocate or reserve [tɪ sɛt əˈsaɪd]
• the small paddock: A small enclosed area of grassland [ðə smɔl ˈpædək]
• behind the orchard: Located at the rear of the orchard [bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]
• as a home of rest: As a place for relaxation and retirement [ɛz ə hoʊm əv rɛst]
• for animals: Intended for animals [fər ˈænəməlz]
• who were past work: Who were too old or unable to work [hu wər pæst wərk]
• there was: There existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• a stormy debate: A heated and contentious discussion [ə ˈstɔrmi dəˈbeɪt]
• over the correct retiring age: Regarding the appropriate age for retirement [ˈoʊvər ðə kərˈɛkt rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ eɪʤ]
• for each class of animal: For each type or category of animal [fər iʧ klæs əv ˈænəməl]

The Meeting always ended with the singing of 'Beasts of England', and the afternoon was given up to recreation.

• The Meeting: Referring to the assembly or gathering [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]
• always ended: Consistently concluded [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈɛndɪd]
• with the singing of: By performing the act of singing [wɪθ ðə ˈsɪŋɪŋ əv]
• Beasts of England: The title of a song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• and the afternoon: The time period after noon [ənd ðə ˌæftərˈnun]
• was given up: Was dedicated or devoted [wɑz ˈgɪvɪn əp]
• to recreation: To leisure activities and enjoyment [tɪ ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən]