Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 21

All the men were gone except one.

• All: refers to the entirety of the group mentioned [ɔl]
• the men: plural of 'man', referring to adult male individuals [ðə mɛn]
• were gone: indicates that they had left or disappeared [wər gɔn]
• except: excluding; not including [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• one: a single individual [wən]

Back in the yard Boxer was pawing with his hoof at the stable-lad who lay face down in the mud, trying to turn him over.

• Back: returning to a previous location or state [bæk]
• in the yard: the enclosed area surrounding a building [ɪn ðə jɑrd]
• Boxer: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
• was pawing: using a paw to touch or scrape something repeatedly [wɑz pɔɪŋ]
• with his hoof: referring to the hard covering on the foot of an animal, in this case, Boxer's [wɪθ hɪz huf]
• at: indicating direction or target [æt]
• the stable-lad: a young male worker in a stable [ðə stable-lad]
• who: relative pronoun referring back to 'the stable-lad' [hu]
• lay: past tense of 'lie', meaning to be in a horizontal or resting position [leɪ]
• face down: with the face pointing downwards [feɪs daʊn]
• in the mud: soft, wet earth [ɪn ðə məd]
• trying: making an effort [traɪɪŋ]
• to turn: to rotate or flip something [tɪ tərn]
• him: pronoun referring to the stable-lad [ɪm]
• over: to the opposite side or position [ˈoʊvər]

The boy did not stir.

• The boy: referring to the stable-lad [ðə bɔɪ]
• did not stir: did not move at all [dɪd nɑt stər]

‘He is dead,’ said Boxer sorrowfully. ‘I had no intention of doing that.

• He is dead: statement indicating that someone is no longer alive [‘‘he ɪz dead’*’]
• said: verb indicating speech [sɛd]
• Boxer: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
• sorrowfully: in a manner expressing sadness or regret [sorrowfully]
• I had: contraction of 'I had' [‘‘i hæd]
• no intention: without any plan or purpose [noʊ ˌɪnˈtɛnʧən]
• of doing that: referring to the action that resulted in the death [əv duɪŋ ðət]

I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes.

• I forgot: past tense of 'forget', meaning to not remember [aɪ fərˈgɑt]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I was wearing: indicating that the speaker was clothed in something [aɪ wɑz ˈwɛrɪŋ]
• iron shoes: shoes made of iron [aɪərn ʃuz]

‘No sentimentality, comrade!’ cried Snowball from whose wounds the blood was still dripping. ‘War is war.

• No sentimentality: expressing a lack of emotional feelings [‘‘no ˌsɛnəmɛnˈtælɪti]
• comrade: term used to address a fellow member of a group or organization [comrade’*’]
• cried: shouted or exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]
• Snowball: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• from whose wounds: indicating the origin of something, in this case, the blood [frəm huz wundz]
• the blood: red liquid circulating in the bodies of animals [ðə bləd]
• was still dripping: falling in small drops [wɑz stɪl ˈdrɪpɪŋ]
• War: a state of armed conflict between different nations or groups [‘‘war]
• is: verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• war: a state of armed conflict between different nations or groups [wɔr]

‘I have no wish to take life, not even human life,’ repeated Boxer, and his eyes were full of tears.

• I have: indicating possession [‘‘i hæv]
• no wish: without any desire or inclination [noʊ wɪʃ]
• to take life: to end someone's life [tɪ teɪk laɪf]
• not even: used to emphasize that something is also included [nɑt ˈivɪn]
• human life: the life of a person [ˈjumən life’*’]
• repeated: said again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• Boxer: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• his eyes: the organs of sight [hɪz aɪz]
• were full: containing a large amount [wər fʊl]
• of tears: drops of salty liquid secreted from the eyes, often as a result of emotion [əv tɪrz]

‘Where is Mollie?’ exclaimed somebody.

• Where: An interrogative adverb, used to ask about a location or position [‘‘where]
• is: Third person singular present of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or location [ɪz]
• Mollie: A proper noun, likely a name [ˈmɑli]
• exclaimed: Spoke suddenly and vehemently [ɪkˈskleɪmd]
• somebody: An unspecified or unknown person [ˈsəmˌbɑdi]

Mollie in fact was missing.

• Mollie: A proper noun, likely a name [ˈmɑli]
• in fact: Indeed; in reality [ɪn fækt]
• was missing: Was not present; had disappeared [wɑz ˈmɪsɪŋ]

For a moment there was great alarm; it was feared that the men might have harmed her in some way, or even carried her off with them.

• For a moment: For a short period of time [fər ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• there was: Indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• great alarm: A feeling of intense worry or fear [greɪt əˈlɑrm]
• it was feared: People were worried [ɪt wɑz fɪrd]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause expressing the content of the fear [ðət]
• the men: plural of man, referring to a group of males [ðə mɛn]
• might have harmed: possibility that they caused damage or injury [maɪt hæv hɑrmd]
• her: pronoun referring to Mollie [hər]
• in some way: by some means or method [ɪn səm weɪ]
• or even: used to introduce a more extreme or surprising alternative [ər ˈivɪn]
• carried her off: taken her away by force [ˈkɛrid hər ɔf]
• with them: accompanying the men [wɪθ ðɛm]

In the end, however, she was found hiding in her stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger.

• In the end: Eventually; after a period of time [ɪn ðə ɛnd]
• however: Nevertheless; despite this [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• she was found: she was located [ʃi wɑz faʊnd]
• hiding: concealing herself [ˈhaɪdɪŋ]
• in her stall: a compartment where an animal is kept [ɪn hər stɔl]
• with her head: with her head [wɪθ hər hɛd]
• buried: covered or hidden [ˈbɛrid]
• among the hay: surrounded by dried grass [əˈməŋ ðə heɪ]
• in the manger: a trough for animals to eat from [ɪn ðə ˈmeɪnʤər]

She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off.

• She had taken to flight: She had run away [ʃi hæd ˈteɪkən tɪ flaɪt]
• as soon as: immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]
• the gun went off: the gun fired [ðə gən wɛnt ɔf]

And when the others came back from looking for her, it was to find that the stable-lad, who in fact was only stunned, had already recovered and made off.

• And: conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• when the others: when the other animals [wɪn ðə ˈəðərz]
• came back: returned [keɪm bæk]
• from looking for her: after searching for her [frəm ˈlʊkɪŋ fər hər]
• it was: it was [ɪt wɑz]
• to find: to discover [tɪ faɪnd]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the stable-lad: a boy or young man who works in a stable [ðə stable-lad]
• who in fact: who actually [hu ɪn fækt]
• was only stunned: was only dazed or shocked [wɑz ˈoʊnli stənd]
• had already recovered: had already regained consciousness or health [hæd ɔˈrɛdi rɪˈkəvərd]
• and made off: and ran away [ənd meɪd ɔf]

The animals had now reassembled in the wildest excitement, each recounting his own exploits in the battle at the top of his voice.

• The: Definite article, referring to specific animals [ðə]
• animals: Living creatures that are not human, often referring to those on the farm [ˈænəməlz]
• had now reassembled: Had gathered together again after being dispersed [hæd naʊ ˌriəˈsɛmbəld]
• in the wildest excitement: In a state of extreme agitation and enthusiasm [ɪn ðə ˈwaɪldɪst ɪkˈsaɪtmənt]
• each: Every single one of the animals [iʧ]
• recounting: Telling in detail; narrating [ˌriˈkaʊntɪŋ]
• his own exploits: His personal brave or daring acts [hɪz oʊn ˈɛkˌsplɔɪts]
• in the battle: During the fight or conflict [ɪn ðə ˈbætəl]
• at the top of his voice: Speaking or shouting as loudly as possible [æt ðə tɔp əv hɪz vɔɪs]

An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately.

• An impromptu celebration: A spontaneous or unplanned festive event [ən ˌɪmˈprɑmptu ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃən]
• of the victory: To honor the winning or triumph [əv ðə ˈvɪktəri]
• was held: Took place; occurred [wɑz hɛld]
• immediately: Right away; without delay [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]

The flag was run up and Beasts of England was sung a number of times, then the sheep who had been killed was given a solemn funeral, a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave.

• The flag: A piece of cloth with a symbolic design, representing the farm [ðə flæg]
• was run up: Was hoisted or raised quickly [wɑz rən əp]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• Beasts of England: The name of their revolutionary song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• was sung: Was performed vocally [wɑz səŋ]
• a number of times: Repeatedly; several times [ə ˈnəmbər əv taɪmz]
• then: Next in sequence [ðɛn]
• the sheep: A specific farm animal [ðə ʃip]
• who had been killed: That had died during the battle [hu hæd bɪn kɪld]
• was given: Received; was provided with [wɑz ˈgɪvɪn]
• a solemn funeral: A serious and dignified ceremony for the deceased [ə ˈsɑləm fˈjunərəl]
• a hawthorn bush: A type of shrub with thorns [ə ˈhɔˌθɔrn bʊʃ]
• being planted: In the process of being put into the ground [biɪŋ ˈplænɪd]
• on her grave: At the location where she was buried [ɔn hər greɪv]

At the graveside Snowball made a little speech, emphasising the need for all animals to be ready to die for Animal Farm if need be.

• At the graveside: Near the place where the burial occurred [æt ðə ˈgreɪvˌsaɪd]
• Snowball: Name of a character, likely a pig [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• made a little speech: Delivered a short address [meɪd ə ˈlɪtəl spiʧ]
• emphasising: Stressing; highlighting the importance of [emphasising]
• the need: The requirement or necessity [ðə nid]
• for all animals: For every animal on the farm [fər ɔl ˈænəməlz]
• to be ready: To be prepared or willing [tɪ bi ˈrɛdi]
• to die: To sacrifice their life [tɪ daɪ]
• for Animal Farm: For the sake of their farm and its ideals [fər ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• if need be: If it is necessary; if the situation requires it [ɪf nid bi]

The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration, ‘Animal Hero, First Class,’ which was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer.

• The animals: referring to the group of animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• decided: made a choice or came to a conclusion [ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd]
• unanimously: in complete agreement; with everyone agreeing [juˈnænəməsli]
• to create: to make or design something new [tɪ kriˈeɪt]
• a military decoration: an award given for bravery or service in the military [ə ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˌdɛkərˈeɪʃən]
• Animal Hero, First Class: the name of the military decoration [‘‘animal ˈhɪroʊ fərst class’*’]
• which: referring back to the military decoration [wɪʧ]
• was conferred: was officially given or awarded [wɑz kənˈfərd]
• there and then: immediately; on the spot [ðɛr ənd ðɛn]
• on Snowball and Boxer: the recipients of the award, two specific animals [ɔn sˈnoʊˌbɔl ənd ˈbɑksər]

It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room]))), to be worn on Sundays and holidays.

• It: referring to the decoration [ɪt]
• consisted of: was made up of [kənˈsɪstɪd əv]
• a brass medal: a medal made of brass, a yellow metal [ə bræs ˈmɛdəl]
• they were really some old horse-brasses: clarifying that the medal was made from old horse brasses [(ðeɪ wər ˈrɪli səm oʊld horse-brasses]
• which had been found: that were discovered [wɪʧ hæd bɪn faʊnd]
• in the harness-room: a room where horse harnesses are stored [ɪn ðə harness-room-
• to be worn: intended to be worn [tɪ bi wɔrn]
• on Sundays and holidays: specific days when the medal should be worn [ɔn ˈsənˌdiz ənd ˈhɑləˌdeɪz]

There was also ‘Animal Hero, Second Class,’ which was conferred posthumously on the dead sheep.

• There: used to introduce the existence of something [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• also: in addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]
• Animal Hero, Second Class: another military decoration, of a lower rank [‘‘animal ˈhɪroʊ ˈsɛkənd class’*’]
• which: referring back to the second class decoration [wɪʧ]
• was conferred: was officially given or awarded [wɑz kənˈfərd]
• posthumously: after death [ˈpɑsʧʊməsli]
• on the dead sheep: the recipient of the second class award, a sheep that had died [ɔn ðə dɛd ʃip]