Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 26

At last the day came when Snowball's plans were completed.

• At last: Finally; after a long delay [æt læst]
• the day came: the particular day arrived [ðə deɪ keɪm]
• when: at which; referring to the time when [wɪn]
• Snowball's: belonging to Snowball, a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• plans: schemes or projects [plænz]
• were completed: had been finished [wər kəmˈplitɪd]

At the Meeting on the following Sunday the question of whether or not to begin work on the windmill was to be put to the vote.

• At: indicating a specific time or location [æt]
• the Meeting: a gathering of people for a specific purpose [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]
• on: indicating a day of the week [ɔn]
• the following Sunday: the Sunday that came after a specific event or time [ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈsənˌdi]
• the question: the issue or topic being discussed [ðə kˈwɛʃən]
• of: indicating the subject of the question [əv]
• whether or not: if or if not; indicating a choice between two possibilities [ˈwɛðər ər nɑt]
• to begin work: to start the task [tɪ bɪˈgɪn wərk]
• on: indicating the object of the work [ɔn]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to generate energy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• was to be put: would be presented [wɑz tɪ bi pʊt]
• to the vote: to be decided by voting [tɪ ðə voʊt]

When the animals had assembled in the big barn.

• When: at the time that [wɪn]
• the animals: the creatures in the story, representing different social classes [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• had assembled: had gathered together [hæd əˈsɛmbəld]
• in: indicating location [ɪn]
• the big barn: a large building used for storing crops or housing animals [ðə bɪg bɑrn]

Snowball stood up and, though occasionally interrupted by bleating from the sheep, set forth his reasons for advocating the building of the windmill.

• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• stood up: rose to a standing position [stʊd əp]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• though: despite the fact that [ðoʊ]
• occasionally: sometimes; not frequently [ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli]
• interrupted: stopped or disturbed [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]
• by: indicating the cause of the interruption [baɪ]
• bleating: the sound made by sheep [bleating]
• from: indicating the source of the sound [frəm]
• the sheep: animals in the story [ðə ʃip]
• set forth: presented; explained [sɛt fɔrθ]
• his reasons: the justifications [hɪz ˈrizənz]
• for: indicating the purpose [fər]
• advocating: supporting; recommending [ˈædvəˌkeɪtɪŋ]
• the building: the construction [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋ]
• of: indicating what is being built [əv]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to generate energy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Then Napoleon stood up to reply.

• Then: after that [ðɛn]
• Napoleon: a character in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• stood up: rose to a standing position [stʊd əp]
• to reply: to respond [tɪ rɪˈplaɪ]

He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it, and promptly sat down again; he had spoken for barely thirty seconds, and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced.

• He said: He stated [hi sɛd]
• very quietly: in a soft voice [ˈvɛri kˈwaɪətli]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to generate energy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• was nonsense: was foolish or absurd [wɑz ˈnɑnsɛns]
• and: connecting two statements [ənd]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• he advised: he recommended [hi ədˈvaɪzd]
• nobody: no one [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• to vote: to cast a vote [tɪ voʊt]
• for it: in favor of the windmill [fər ɪt]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• promptly: immediately [ˈprɑmptli]
• sat down: returned to a seated position [sæt daʊn]
• again: once more [əˈgɛn]
• he had spoken: he had talked [hi hæd ˈspoʊkən]
• for: indicating duration [fər]
• barely: only just; hardly [ˈbɛrli]
• thirty seconds: a very short time [ˈθərˌdi ˈsɛkəndz]
• and: connecting two statements [ənd]
• seemed: appeared [simd]
• almost: nearly [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• indifferent: unconcerned; not caring [ˌɪnˈdɪfərənt]
• as to: regarding [ɛz tɪ]
• the effect: the result or impact [ðə ˈifɛkt]
• he produced: he created [hi prəˈdust]

At this Snowball sprang to his feet, and shouting down the sheep, who had begun bleating again, broke into a passionate appeal in favour of the windmill.

• At this: at this point [æt ðɪs]
• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• sprang: jumped [spræŋ]
• to his feet: to a standing position [tɪ hɪz fit]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• shouting down: overpowering with a louder voice [ˈʃaʊtɪŋ daʊn]
• the sheep: animals in the story [ðə ʃip]
• who: referring to the sheep [hu]
• had begun: had started [hæd ˈbeɪgən]
• bleating: making the sound of sheep [bleating]
• again: once more [əˈgɛn]
• broke into: suddenly started [broʊk ˈɪntu]
• a passionate appeal: an emotional request [ə ˈpæʃənət əˈpil]
• in favour of: supporting; advocating [ɪn ˈfeɪvər əv]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to generate energy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies, but in a moment Snowball's eloquence had carried them away.

• Until now: up to this point [ənˈtɪl naʊ]
• the animals: the creatures in the story, representing different social classes [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• had been: were [hæd bɪn]
• about equally: roughly the same [əˈbaʊt ˈikwəli]
• divided: split [dɪˈvaɪdɪd]
• in: regarding [ɪn]
• their sympathies: their feelings of support [ðɛr ˈsɪmpəθiz]
• but: however [bət]
• in a moment: very quickly [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• Snowball's: belonging to Snowball, a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• eloquence: persuasive and fluent speaking [ˈɛləkwəns]
• had carried: had influenced [hæd ˈkɛrid]
• them away: them completely [ðɛm əˈweɪ]

In glowing sentences he painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted from the animals’ backs.

• In: using [ɪn]
• glowing sentences: vivid and enthusiastic statements [gloʊɪŋ ˈsɛntənsɪz]
• he painted: he described [hi ˈpeɪnɪd]
• a picture: an image [ə ˈpɪkʧər]
• of: showing [əv]
• Animal Farm: the name of the farm in the story [ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• as: how [ɛz]
• it might be: it could be [ɪt maɪt bi]
• when: at the time when [wɪn]
• sordid labour: dirty and unpleasant work [ˈsɔrdəd ˈleɪbər]
• was lifted: was removed [wɑz ˈlɪftɪd]
• from: from [frəm]
• the animals: belonging to the animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• backs: physical burden [bæks]

His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers.

• His imagination: His ability to form mental images [hɪz ˌɪˌmæʤəˈneɪʃən]
• had now run: had now gone [hæd naʊ rən]
• far beyond: much further than [fɑr bɪɔnd]
• chaff-cutters: machines for cutting straw [chaff-cutters]
• and: connecting two items [ənd]
• turnip-slicers: machines for slicing turnips [turnip-slicers]

Electricity, he said, could operate threshing-machines, ploughs, harrows, rollers and reapers and binders, besides supplying every stall with its own electric light, hot and cold water and an electric heater.

• Electricity: electrical power [ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti]
• he said: he stated [hi sɛd]
• could operate: could power [kʊd ˈɔpərˌeɪt]
• threshing-machines: machines for separating grain from stalks [threshing-machines]
• ploughs: farm implements used for turning over soil [plaʊz]
• harrows: farm implements used for leveling soil [harrows]
• rollers: farm implements used for compacting soil [ˈroʊlərz]
• and: connecting items in a list [ənd]
• reapers: machines for harvesting crops [reapers]
• and: connecting items in a list [ənd]
• binders: machines for binding sheaves of grain [ˈbaɪndərz]
• besides: in addition to [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]
• supplying: providing [səˈplaɪɪŋ]
• every stall: each individual enclosure for an animal [ˈɛvəri stɔl]
• with: having [wɪθ]
• its own: belonging to it [ɪts oʊn]
• electric light: artificial light powered by electricity [ɪˈlɛktrɪk laɪt]
• hot and cold water: water at different temperatures [hɑt ənd koʊld ˈwɔtər]
• and: connecting items in a list [ənd]
• an electric heater: a device for heating powered by electricity [ən ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈhitər]

By the time he had finished speaking there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go.

• By the time: at the point when [baɪ ðə taɪm]
• he had finished: he had completed [hi hæd ˈfɪnɪʃt]
• speaking: giving his speech [ˈspikɪŋ]
• there was no doubt: it was certain [ðɛr wɑz noʊ daʊt]
• as to: about [ɛz tɪ]
• which way: in what direction [wɪʧ weɪ]
• the vote: the decision-making process [ðə voʊt]
• would go: would turn out [wʊd goʊ]

But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and, casting a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball, uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind ho one had ever heard him utter before.

• But: however [bət]
• just at this moment: at this precise time [ʤɪst æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• Napoleon: a character in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• stood up: rose to a standing position [stʊd əp]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• casting: giving [ˈkæstɪŋ]
• a peculiar: strange; odd [ə pɪˈkjuljər]
• sidelong look: a glance to the side [sidelong lʊk]
• at: towards [æt]
• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• uttered: made [ˈətərd]
• a high-pitched: a sound with a high frequency [ə high-pitched]
• whimper: a soft, crying sound [ˈwɪmpər]
• of a kind: of a type [əv ə kaɪnd]
• had ever heard: had previously listened to [hæd ˈɛvər hərd]
• him utter: him make [ɪm ˈətər]
• before: previously [ˌbiˈfɔr]

At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn.

• At this: Referring to the situation or moment previously mentioned [æt ðɪs]
• there was: Indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• a terrible baying sound: A loud, unpleasant howling noise, typically made by dogs [ə ˈtɛrəbəl beɪɪŋ saʊnd]
• outside: Located or situated on the exterior of a building or place [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• and: Connects two similar elements or ideas [ənd]
• nine enormous dogs: Nine very large dogs [naɪn ɪˈnɔrmɪs dɔgz]
• wearing brass-studded collars: Having collars decorated with brass studs [ˈwɛrɪŋ brass-studded ˈkɑlərz]
• came bounding into the barn: Entered the barn quickly and energetically [keɪm ˈbaʊndɪŋ ˈɪntu ðə bɑrn]

They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws.

• They dashed straight for Snowball: They ran quickly and directly towards Snowball [ðeɪ dæʃt streɪt fər sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• who only sprang from his place: Who quickly jumped up from where he was standing [hu ˈoʊnli spræŋ frəm hɪz pleɪs]
• just in time: Barely early enough to avoid something [ʤɪst ɪn taɪm]
• to escape their snapping jaws: To avoid being bitten by their jaws that were closing quickly [tɪ ɪˈskeɪp ðɛr sˈnæpɪŋ ʤɔz]

In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him.

• In a moment: Very quickly; almost instantly [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• he was out of the door: He exited the doorway [hi wɑz aʊt əv ðə dɔr]
• and: Connects two related events [ənd]
• they were after him: They were chasing him [ðeɪ wər ˈæftər ɪm]

Too amazed and frightened to speak, all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase.

• Too amazed and frightened to speak: So surprised and scared that they couldn't talk [tu əˈmeɪzd ənd ˈfraɪtənd tɪ spik]
• all the animals crowded through the door: All the animals pushed their way through the doorway [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz ˈkraʊdɪd θru ðə dɔr]
• to watch the chase: In order to observe the pursuit [tɪ wɔʧ ðə ʧeɪs]

Snowball was racing across the long pasture that led to the road.

• Snowball was racing across the long pasture: Snowball was running very fast across the long field [sˈnoʊˌbɔl wɑz ˈreɪsɪŋ əˈkrɔs ðə lɔŋ ˈpæsʧər]
• that led to the road: Which extended to the road [ðət lɛd tɪ ðə roʊd]

He was running as only a pig can run, but the dogs were close on his heels.

• He was running as only a pig can run: He was running very fast, as fast as a pig is capable of running [hi wɑz ˈrənɪŋ ɛz ˈoʊnli ə pɪg kən rən]
• but: Contrasts the previous statement [bət]
• the dogs were close on his heels: The dogs were very near behind him [ðə dɔgz wər kloʊz ɔn hɪz hilz]

Suddenly he slipped and it seemed certain that they had him.

• Suddenly: Unexpectedly; abruptly [ˈsədənli]
• he slipped: He lost his footing and slid [hi slɪpt]
• and: Connects two related events [ənd]
• it seemed certain: It appeared to be definite [ɪt simd ˈsərtən]
• that they had him: That they would catch him [ðət ðeɪ hæd ɪm]

Then he was up again, running faster than ever, then the dogs were gaining on him again.

• Then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• he was up again: He stood up again [hi wɑz əp əˈgɛn]
• running faster than ever: Running at a higher speed than before [ˈrənɪŋ ˈfæstər ðən ˈɛvər]
• then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• the dogs were gaining on him again: The dogs were getting closer to him again [ðə dɔgz wər ˈgeɪnɪŋ ɔn ɪm əˈgɛn]

One of them all but closed his jaws on Snowball's tail, but Snowball whisked it free just in time.

• One of them all but closed his jaws: One of the dogs nearly closed its jaws [wən əv ðɛm ɔl bət kloʊzd hɪz ʤɔz]
• on Snowball's tail: On the tail of Snowball [ɔn sˈnoʊˌbɔlz teɪl]
• but: Contrasts the previous statement [bət]
• Snowball whisked it free: Snowball quickly moved his tail away [sˈnoʊˌbɔl wɪskt ɪt fri]
• just in time: Barely early enough to avoid being caught [ʤɪst ɪn taɪm]

Then he put on an extra spurt and, with a few inches to spare, slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more.

• Then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• he put on an extra spurt: He made an additional burst of speed [hi pʊt ɔn ən ˈɛkstrə spərt]
• and: Connects two related events [ənd]
• with a few inches to spare: With only a small amount of space remaining [wɪθ ə fju ˈɪnʧɪz tɪ spɛr]
• slipped through a hole in the hedge: Passed quickly through a gap in the hedge [slɪpt θru ə hoʊl ɪn ðə hɛʤ]
• and: Connects two related events [ənd]
• was seen no more: Was not seen again [wɑz sin noʊ mɔr]