Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 15

The pigs had set aside the harness-room as a headquarters for themselves.

• The pigs: Referring to the pigs as a group, the main characters in this context [ðə pɪgz]
• had set aside: To reserve or allocate for a specific purpose [hæd sɛt əˈsaɪd]
• the harness-room: A room where harnesses and other equipment for horses are stored [ðə harness-room]
• as a headquarters: A place from which operations are planned and directed [ɛz ə ˈhɛdˌkɔrtərz]
• for themselves: For their own exclusive use [fər ðɛmˈsɛlvz]

Here, in the evenings, they studied blacksmithing, carpentering, and other necessary arts from books which they had brought out of the farmhouse.

• Here: In this place; referring to the harness-room [hir]
• in the evenings: During the evening time [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋz]
• they studied: They engaged in learning and acquiring knowledge [ðeɪ ˈstədid]
• blacksmithing: The craft of working with iron and steel to make objects [blacksmithing]
• carpentering: The skill of working with wood to build or repair structures [carpentering]
• and other necessary arts: Other essential skills or crafts [ənd ˈəðər ˈnɛsəˌsɛri ɑrts]
• from books: Using books as a source of information [frəm bʊks]
• which they had brought out: That they had taken from inside to outside [wɪʧ ðeɪ hæd brɔt aʊt]
• of the farmhouse: From the main house on the farm [əv ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

Snowball also busied himself with organising the other animals into what he called Animal Committees.

• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• also busied himself: Also kept himself occupied or engaged [ˈɔlsoʊ ˈbɪzid hɪmˈsɛlf]
• with organising: With the act of planning and arranging [wɪθ organising]
• the other animals: The remaining animals on the farm [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• into what he called: Into groups or committees that he named [ˈɪntu wət hi kɔld]
• Animal Committees: Committees made up of animals [ˈænəməl kəˈmɪtiz]

He was indefatigable at this.

• He was indefatigable: He was tireless and persistent [hi wɑz ˌɪndɪˈfætɪgəbəl]
• at this: In this endeavor or activity [æt ðɪs]

He formed the Egg Production Committee for the hens, the Clean Tails League for the cows, the Wild Comrades’ Re-education Committee (the object of this was to tame the rats and rabbits), the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep, and various others, besides instituting classes in reading and writing.

• He formed: He created or established [hi fɔrmd]
• the Egg Production Committee: A committee focused on increasing egg production [ðə ɛg pərˈdəkʃən kəˈmɪti]
• for the hens: Specifically for the female chickens [fər ðə hɛnz]
• the Clean Tails League: A group dedicated to keeping tails clean [ðə klin teɪlz lig]
• for the cows: Specifically for the cows [fər ðə kaʊz]
• the Wild Comrades’ Re-education Committee: A committee aimed at retraining wild animals to be cooperative [ðə waɪld ˈkɑmˌrædz re-education kəˈmɪti]
• the object of this: The purpose or goal of this committee [(ðə ˈɑbʤɛkt əv ðɪs]
• was to tame: Was to domesticate or control [wɑz tɪ teɪm]
• the rats and rabbits: Specifically the rats and rabbits [ðə ræts ənd ˈræbəts)]
• the Whiter Wool Movement: A movement focused on making wool whiter [ðə ˈwaɪtər wʊl ˈmuvmənt]
• for the sheep: Specifically for the sheep [fər ðə ʃip]
• and various others: And several other committees or groups [ənd ˈvɛriəs ˈəðərz]
• besides instituting: In addition to establishing or starting [ˌbiˈsaɪdz ˈɪnstɪˌtutɪŋ]
• classes in reading and writing: Lessons to teach reading and writing skills [ˈklæsɪz ɪn ˈrɛdɪŋ ənd ˈraɪtɪŋ]

On the whole, these projects were a failure.

• On the whole: Generally speaking; overall [ɔn ðə hoʊl]
• these projects: These plans or initiatives [ðiz ˈprɑʤɛkts]
• were a failure: Did not succeed [wər ə ˈfeɪljər]

The attempt to tame the wild creatures, for instance, broke down almost immediately.

• The attempt: The effort or try [ðə əˈtɛmpt]
• to tame: To domesticate or control [tɪ teɪm]
• the wild creatures: The undomesticated animals [ðə waɪld ˈkriʧərz]
• for instance: As an example [fər ˈɪnstəns]
• broke down: Failed or collapsed [broʊk daʊn]
• almost immediately: Very quickly after starting [ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]

They continued to behave very much as before, and when treated with generosity, simply took advantage of it.

• They continued: They persisted or kept on [ðeɪ kənˈtɪnjud]
• to behave: To act or conduct themselves [tɪ bɪˈheɪv]
• very much as before: In a similar way as they did previously [ˈvɛri məʧ ɛz ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and when treated: And when they were given [ənd wɪn ˈtritɪd]
• with generosity: With kindness and abundance [wɪθ ˌʤɛnərˈɑsəti]
• simply took advantage: Just exploited or used unfairly [ˈsɪmpli tʊk ædˈvæntɪʤ]
• of it: Of the generosity [əv ɪt]

The cat joined the Reeducation Committee and was very active in it for some days.

• The cat: A feline character [ðə kæt]
• joined: Became a member of [ʤɔɪnd]
• and was very active: And participated a lot [ənd wɑz ˈvɛri ˈæktɪv]
• in it: In the committee [ɪn ɪt]
• for some days: For a few days [fər səm deɪz]

She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach.

• She was seen: Someone observed her [ʃi wɑz sin]
• one day: On a particular day [wən deɪ]
• sitting: Resting in a seated position [ˈsɪtɪŋ]
• on a roof: On the top covering of a building [ɔn ə rʊf]
• and talking: Speaking or conversing [ənd ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• to some sparrows: To a few small birds [tɪ səm ˈspɛroʊz]
• who were just out: That were just beyond [hu wər ʤɪst aʊt]
• of her reach: The distance she could extend her paw [əv hər riʧ]

She was telling them that all animals were now comrades and that any sparrow who chose could come and perch on her paw; but the sparrows kept their distance.

• She was telling them: She was informing them [ʃi wɑz ˈtɛlɪŋ ðɛm]
• that all animals: That every animal [ðət ɔl ˈænəməlz]
• were now comrades: Were now friends or allies [wər naʊ ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• and that any sparrow: And that any bird [ənd ðət ˈɛni ˈspɛroʊ]
• who chose: That wanted to [hu ʧoʊz]
• could come: Was allowed to come [kʊd kəm]
• and perch: And sit or rest [ənd pərʧ]
• on her paw: On her foot [ɔn hər pɔ]
• but the sparrows: But the birds [bət ðə ˈspɛroʊz]
• kept their distance: Maintained a safe space away [kɛpt ðɛr ˈdɪstəns]

The reading and writing classes, however, were a great success.

• The reading and writing classes: Referring to specific classes focused on improving reading and writing skills [ðə ˈrɛdɪŋ ənd ˈraɪtɪŋ ˈklæsɪz]
• however: A transitional word indicating a contrast or shift in thought [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• were a great success: Indicates that the classes achieved positive results and were well-received [wər ə greɪt səkˈsɛs]

By the autumn almost every animal on the farm was literate in some degree.

• By the autumn: Indicates a time frame; specifically, when autumn arrived [baɪ ðə ˈɔtəm]
• almost every animal on the farm: Implies a near-universal participation among the animals residing on the farm [ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛvəri ˈænəməl ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• was literate: Means having the ability to read and write [wɑz ˈlɪtərət]
• in some degree: Indicates varying levels of literacy; not all animals were equally proficient [ɪn səm dɪˈgri]

As for the pigs, they could already read and write perfectly.

• As for the pigs: Regarding the pigs; focusing on their abilities [ɛz fər ðə pɪgz]
• they could already read and write perfectly: Indicates the pigs possessed advanced literacy skills [ðeɪ kʊd ɔˈrɛdi rɛd ənd raɪt ˈpərfəktli]

The dogs learned to read fairly well, but were not interested in reading anything except the Seven Commandments.

• The dogs learned to read fairly well: The dogs achieved a moderate level of reading proficiency [ðə dɔgz ˈlərnɪd tɪ rɛd ˈfɛrli wɛl]
• but were not interested in reading anything except the Seven Commandments: The dogs' reading interest was limited to a specific set of rules or principles [bət wər nɑt ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ɪkˈsɛpt ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]

Muriel, the goat, could read somewhat better than the dogs, and sometimes used to read to the others in the evenings from scraps of newspaper which she found on the rubbish heap.

• Muriel, the goat: Identifying a specific character, Muriel, who is a goat [mˈjʊriəl ðə goʊt]
• could read somewhat better than the dogs: Muriel's reading ability surpassed that of the dogs [kʊd rɛd ˈsəmˈwət ˈbɛtər ðən ðə dɔgz]
• and sometimes used to read to the others: Muriel occasionally read aloud to the other animals [ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz juzd tɪ rɛd tɪ ðə ˈəðərz]
• in the evenings: Specifies the time of day when Muriel read [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋz]
• from scraps of newspaper: The source of Muriel's reading material was discarded newspaper pieces [frəm skræps əv ˈnuzˌpeɪpər]
• which she found on the rubbish heap: Indicates where Muriel obtained the newspaper scraps [wɪʧ ʃi faʊnd ɔn ðə ˈrəbɪʃ hip]

Benjamin could read as well as any pig, but never exercised his faculty.

• Benjamin could read as well as any pig: Benjamin's reading ability was comparable to that of the pigs [ˈbɛnʤəmən kʊd rɛd ɛz wɛl ɛz ˈɛni pɪg]
• but never exercised his faculty: Benjamin chose not to use his reading ability [bət ˈnɛvər ˈɛksərˌsaɪzd hɪz ˈfækəlti]

So far as he knew, he said, there was nothing worth reading.

• So far as he knew: According to Benjamin's knowledge or perspective [soʊ fɑr ɛz hi nu]
• he said: Attribution of the following statement to Benjamin [hi sɛd]
• there was nothing worth reading: Benjamin's opinion that no reading material was valuable or interesting [ðɛr wɑz ˈnəθɪŋ wərθ ˈrɛdɪŋ]

Clover learnt the whole alphabet, but could not put words together.

• Clover learnt the whole alphabet: Clover successfully memorized all the letters of the alphabet [ˈkloʊvər lərnt ðə hoʊl ˈælfəˌbɛt]
• but could not put words together: Clover struggled to form words despite knowing the alphabet [bət kʊd nɑt pʊt wərdz təˈgɛðər]

Boxer could not get beyond the letter D.

• Boxer could not get beyond the letter D: Boxer's literacy progress was limited to the first four letters of the alphabet [ˈbɑksər kʊd nɑt gɪt bɪɔnd ðə ˈlɛtər di]

He would trace out A, B, C, D, in the dust with his great hoof, and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back, sometimes shaking his forelock, trying with all his might to remember what came next and never succeeding.

• He would trace out A, B, C, D: Boxer physically wrote the letters A, B, C, and D [hi wʊd treɪs aʊt ə bi si di]
• in the dust with his great hoof: The location and tool Boxer used to write the letters [ɪn ðə dəst wɪθ hɪz greɪt huf]
• and then would stand staring at the letters: Boxer would gaze intently at the letters he had written [ənd ðɛn wʊd stænd ˈstɛrɪŋ æt ðə ˈlɛtərz]
• with his ears back: A physical description of Boxer, possibly indicating concentration or frustration [wɪθ hɪz ɪrz bæk]
• sometimes shaking his forelock: Another physical description of Boxer, possibly indicating effort or confusion [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈʃeɪkɪŋ hɪz forelock]
• trying with all his might: Boxer exerted maximum effort [traɪɪŋ wɪθ ɔl hɪz maɪt]
• to remember what came next: Boxer attempted to recall the subsequent letters in the alphabet [tɪ rɪˈmɛmbər wət keɪm nɛkst]
• and never succeeding: Boxer consistently failed to remember the letters after D [ənd ˈnɛvər səkˈsidɪŋ]

On several occasions, indeed, he did learn E, F, G, H, but by the time he knew them, it was always discovered that he had forgotten A, B, C, and D.

• On several occasions, indeed: Emphasizes that this happened multiple times [ɔn ˈsɛvərəl ɔˈkeɪʒənz ˌɪnˈdid]
• he did learn E, F, G, H: Boxer temporarily learned the letters E, F, G, and H [hi dɪd lərn i ɛf ʤi eɪʧ]
• but by the time he knew them: Indicates a time delay between learning and application [bət baɪ ðə taɪm hi nu ðɛm]
• it was always discovered that he had forgotten A, B, C, and D: Boxer would forget the initial letters while learning new ones [ɪt wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz dɪˈskəvərd ðət hi hæd fərˈgɑtən ə bi si ənd di]

Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters, and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory.

• Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters: Boxer accepted his limitations and focused on mastering the first four letters [ˈfaɪnəli hi ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tɪ bi ˈkɑntɛnt wɪθ ðə fərst fɔr ˈlɛtərz]
• and used to write them out once or twice every day: Boxer regularly practiced writing the first four letters [ənd juzd tɪ raɪt ðɛm aʊt wəns ər twaɪs ˈɛvəri deɪ]
• to refresh his memory: The purpose of Boxer's practice was to maintain his knowledge of the letters [tɪ rɪˈfrɛʃ hɪz ˈmɛməri]

Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters which spelt her own name.

• Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters which spelt her own name: Mollie's learning was limited to the letters in her name [ˈmɑli rɪfˈjuzd tɪ lərn ˈɛni bət ðə sɪks ˈlɛtərz wɪʧ spelt hər oʊn neɪm]

She would form these very neatly out of pieces of twig, and would then decorate them with a flower or two and walk round them admiring them.

• She would form these very neatly out of pieces of twig: Mollie created the letters using small branches [ʃi wʊd fɔrm ðiz ˈvɛri ˈnitli aʊt əv ˈpisɪz əv twɪg]
• and would then decorate them with a flower or two: Mollie embellished the letters with floral decorations [ənd wʊd ðɛn ˈdɛkərˌeɪt ðɛm wɪθ ə flaʊər ər tu]
• and walk round them admiring them: Mollie took pleasure in admiring her creations [ənd wɔk raʊnd ðɛm ædˈmaɪrɪŋ ðɛm]