Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 16

None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A.

• None of: not any of; not one of [nən əv]
• the other animals: referring to animals besides the ones already mentioned or being focused on [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• on the farm: located at the farm [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• could get: were able to achieve [kʊd gɪt]
• further than: beyond; to a greater extent than [ˈfərðər ðən]
• the letter A: the first letter of the alphabet [ðə ˈlɛtər ə]

It was also found that the stupider animals, such as the sheep, hens, and ducks, were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart.

• It was also found: Additionally, it was discovered [ɪt wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ faʊnd]
• that the stupider animals: referring to animals with lower intelligence [ðət ðə ˈstupɪdər ˈænəməlz]
• such as: for example; like [səʧ ɛz]
• the sheep, hens, and ducks: specific examples of animals considered less intelligent [ðə ʃip hɛnz ənd dəks]
• were unable to: did not have the ability to [wər əˈneɪbəl tɪ]
• learn: memorize; commit to memory [lərn]
• the Seven Commandments: a set of rules or principles [ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• by heart: from memory; without looking at a written text [baɪ hɑrt]

After much thought Snowball declared that the Seven Commandments could in effect be reduced to a single maxim, namely: ‘Four legs good, two legs bad.’ This, he said, contained the essential principle of Animalism.

• After much thought: after a considerable amount of consideration [ˈæftər məʧ θɔt]
• Snowball declared: Snowball announced or stated formally [sˈnoʊˌbɔl dɪˈklɛrd]
• that the Seven Commandments: referring back to the set of rules [ðət ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• could in effect be reduced: could essentially be simplified [kʊd ɪn ˈifɛkt bi rɪˈdust]
• to a single maxim: to one concise statement or principle [tɪ ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈmæksəm]
• namely: that is to say; specifically [ˈneɪmli]
• Four legs good, two legs bad: a simplified principle or motto [‘‘four lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]
• This, he said: He stated this [ðɪs hi sɛd]
• contained: included; held within it [kənˈteɪnd]
• the essential principle: the most important idea [ðə ɛˈsɛnʃəl ˈprɪnsəpəl]
• of Animalism: the philosophy or belief system of the animals [əv animalism]

Whoever had thoroughly grasped it would be safe from human influences.

• Whoever had thoroughly grasped it: Anyone who had completely understood it [huˈɛvər hæd ˈθəroʊli græspt ɪt]
• would be safe: would be protected [wʊd bi seɪf]
• from human influences: from the effects or control of humans [frəm ˈjumən ˈɪnˌfluənsɪz]

The birds at first objected, since it seemed to them that they also had two legs, but Snowball proved to them that this was not so.

• The birds at first objected: Initially, the birds raised concerns or protested [ðə bərdz æt fərst əˈbʤɛktəd]
• since it seemed to them: because it appeared to them [sɪns ɪt simd tɪ ðɛm]
• that they also had two legs: that they, like humans, possessed two legs [ðət ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ hæd tu lɛgz]
• but Snowball proved to them: but Snowball demonstrated or showed them [bət sˈnoʊˌbɔl pruvd tɪ ðɛm]
• that this was not so: that their perception was incorrect [ðət ðɪs wɑz nɑt soʊ]

‘A bird’s wing, comrades,’ he said, ‘is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation.

• A bird’s wing, comrades: Addressing the animals as 'comrades' and referring to a bird's wing [‘‘a bərdz wɪŋ ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• he said: Indicates who is speaking [hi sɛd]
• is an organ of propulsion: describes the wing's function as a means of movement [‘‘is ən ˈɔrgən əv prəˈpəlʃən]
• and not of manipulation: contrasts propulsion with the ability to handle objects [ənd nɑt əv məˌnɪpjəˈleɪʃən]

It should therefore be regarded as a leg.

• It should therefore be regarded as a leg: suggests a reclassification of the wing [ɪt ʃʊd ˈðɛrˌfɔr bi rɪˈgɑrdɪd ɛz ə lɛg]

The birds did not understand Snowball’s long words, but they accepted his explanation, and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart.

• The birds did not understand Snowball’s long words: The birds were unable to comprehend Snowball's complex vocabulary. [ðə bərdz dɪd nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd sˈnoʊˌbɔlz lɔŋ wərdz]
• but they accepted his explanation: However, they agreed with his reasoning. [bət ðeɪ ækˈsɛptɪd hɪz ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən]
• and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart: And all the more modest animals began to memorize the new principle. [ənd ɔl ðə ˈhəmbələr ˈænəməlz sɛt tɪ wərk tɪ lərn ðə nu ˈmæksəm baɪ hɑrt]

FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD, was inscribed on the end wall of the barn, above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters.

• FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD: A slogan promoting the superiority of animals over humans. [fɔr lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]
• was inscribed on the end wall of the barn: Was written on the barn's end wall. [wɑz ˌɪnˈskraɪbd ɔn ðə ɛnd wɔl əv ðə bɑrn]
• above the Seven Commandments: Positioned above the Seven Commandments. [əˈbəv ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• and in bigger letters: And in larger font. [ənd ɪn ˈbɪgər ˈlɛtərz]

When they had once got it by heart, the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim, and often as they lay in the field they would all start bleating ‘Four legs good, two legs bad!

• When they had once got it by heart: Once they had memorized it. [wɪn ðeɪ hæd wəns gɑt ɪt baɪ hɑrt]
• the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim: The sheep began to enjoy this principle. [ðə ʃip dɪˈvɛləpt ə greɪt ˈlaɪkɪŋ fər ðɪs ˈmæksəm]
• and often as they lay in the field: And frequently while lying in the field. [ənd ˈɔfən ɛz ðeɪ leɪ ɪn ðə fild]
• they would all start bleating: They would all begin to bleat. [ðeɪ wʊd ɔl stɑrt bleating]
• Four legs good, two legs bad: Repeating the slogan. [‘‘four lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]

Four legs good, two legs bad!’ and keep it up for hours on end, never growing tired of it.

• Four legs good, two legs bad: Repeating the slogan. [fɔr lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]
• and keep it up for hours on end: And continue doing so for hours. [ənd kip ɪt əp fər aʊərz ɔn ɛnd]
• never growing tired of it: Without ever getting bored of it. [ˈnɛvər groʊɪŋ taɪərd əv ɪt]

Napoleon took no interest in Snowball’s committees.

• Napoleon: Proper noun referring to a specific character, likely in a fictional context [nəˈpoʊljən]
• took no interest: Did not show any attention or concern [tʊk noʊ ˈɪntəˌrɛst]
• in Snowball’s committees: Referring to committees organized by a character named Snowball [ɪn sˈnoʊˌbɔlz kəˈmɪtiz]

He said that the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up.

• He said: Indicates that Napoleon made a statement [hi sɛd]
• that the education of the young: The process of teaching and learning for young individuals [ðət ðə ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən əv ðə jəŋ]
• was more important: Held a higher value or significance [wɑz mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• than anything: More than any other thing [ðən ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• that could be done: That could be accomplished or performed [ðət kʊd bi dən]
• for those: For the individuals [fər ðoʊz]
• who were already grown up: Who had already reached adulthood [hu wər ɔˈrɛdi groʊn əp]

It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest, giving birth between them to nine sturdy puppies.

• It happened: It occurred or came to pass [ɪt ˈhæpənd]
• that Jessie and Bluebell: Proper nouns, likely names of animals [ðət ˈʤɛsi ənd ˈbluˌbɛl]
• had both whelped: Had both given birth to puppies [hæd boʊθ whelped]
• soon after the hay harvest: Shortly after the time of gathering hay [sun ˈæftər ðə heɪ ˈhɑrvəst]
• giving birth: The act of producing offspring [ˈgɪvɪŋ bərθ]
• between them: Collectively by both Jessie and Bluebell [bɪtˈwin ðɛm]
• to nine sturdy puppies: To nine strong and healthy young dogs [tɪ naɪn ˈstərdi ˈpəpiz]

As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education.

• As soon as: Immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]
• they were weaned: When the puppies were no longer dependent on their mothers' milk [ðeɪ wər wind]
• Napoleon took them away: Napoleon removed the puppies [nəˈpoʊljən tʊk ðɛm əˈweɪ]
• from their mothers: Away from their female parents [frəm ðɛr ˈməðərz]
• saying: Stating or declaring [seɪɪŋ]
• that he would make himself responsible: That he would take on the duty and accountability [ðət hi wʊd meɪk hɪmˈsɛlf riˈspɑnsəbəl]
• for their education: For the process of teaching and learning of the puppies [fər ðɛr ˌɛʤəˈkeɪʃən]

He took them up into a loft which could only be reached by a ladder from the harness-room, and there kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence.

• He took them up: He brought them [hi tʊk ðɛm əp]
• into a loft: An upper room or space, often in a barn or stable [ˈɪntu ə lɔft]
• which could only be reached: That was accessible only [wɪʧ kʊd ˈoʊnli bi riʧt]
• by a ladder: Using a climbing device with rungs [baɪ ə ˈlædər]
• from the harness-room: From the room where harnesses are stored [frəm ðə harness-room]
• and there: In that place [ənd ðɛr]
• kept them: Maintained their presence [kɛpt ðɛm]
• in such seclusion: In such a state of being isolated and hidden away [ɪn səʧ sɪˈkluʒən]
• that the rest of the farm: That the remaining inhabitants of the farm [ðət ðə rɛst əv ðə fɑrm]
• soon forgot: Quickly ceased to remember [sun fərˈgɑt]
• their existence: That the puppies were alive and present [ðɛr ɪgˈzɪstəns]