Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 27

Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn.

• Silent: not making or accompanied by any noise [ˈsaɪlənt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• terrified: extremely frightened [ˈtɛrəˌfaɪd]
• the animals: referring to a group of non-human creatures [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• crept: moved slowly and carefully in order to avoid being noticed [krɛpt]
• back: towards the place or position that is behind [bæk]
• into: expressing movement or direction to enter a place [ˈɪntu]
• the barn: a large building on a farm used for storing grain, hay, or livestock [ðə bɑrn]

In a moment the dogs came bounding back.

• In: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• a moment: a very short period of time [ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• the dogs: referring to specific canine animals [ðə dɔgz]
• came: moved or traveled towards or into a place [keɪm]
• bounding: walking or running with leaping strides [ˈbaʊndɪŋ]
• back: towards the place or position that is behind [bæk]

At first no one had been able to imagine where these creatures came from, but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately.

• At first: initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]
• no one: not a single person [noʊ wən]
• had been able: past perfect form of 'to be able', indicating a past ability [hæd bɪn ˈeɪbəl]
• to imagine: to form a mental image or concept of something [tɪ ˌɪˈmæʤən]
• where: at or to what place or position [wɛr]
• these creatures: referring to the animals or beings in question [ðiz ˈkriʧərz]
• came from: originated or appeared from [keɪm frəm]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something said previously [bət]
• the problem: a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome [ðə ˈprɑbləm]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• soon: in or after a short time [sun]
• solved: found an answer to, explanation for, or means of effectively dealing with (a problem or mystery [sɑlvd]
• they: referring to the creatures mentioned earlier [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be', plural form [wər]
• the puppies: young dogs [ðə ˈpəpiz]
• whom: relative pronoun referring to the puppies [hum]
• Napoleon: referring to a character named Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• had taken away: had removed or separated from [hæd ˈteɪkən əˈweɪ]
• from: indicating the place or position where someone or something starts [frəm]
• their mothers: the female parents of the puppies [ðɛr ˈməðərz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• reared: brought up and cared for (a child or animal) until they are fully grown [rɪrd]
• privately: in a private or secret manner [ˈpraɪvətli]

Though not yet full-grown they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves.

• Though: despite the fact that; although [ðoʊ]
• not yet: not at this time; not so far [nɑt jɛt]
• full-grown: completely developed or mature [full-grown]
• they: referring to the puppies [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be', plural form [wər]
• huge dogs: very large canine animals [juʤ dɔgz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• as fierce-looking: having a frightening or menacing appearance [ɛz fierce-looking]
• as wolves: comparing their appearance to that of wolves [ɛz wʊlvz]

They kept close to Napoleon.

• They: referring to the dogs [ðeɪ]
• kept close: stayed near [kɛpt kloʊz]
• to: expressing direction or proximity [tɪ]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]

It was noticed that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr Jones.

• It: referring to the situation or observation [ɪt]
• was noticed: it was observed or remarked [wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the dogs [ðeɪ]
• wagged: moved or swung from side to side or up and down [wægd]
• their tails: the appendages extending from the rear of the dogs [ðɛr teɪlz]
• to him: towards Napoleon [tɪ ɪm]
• in the same way: in a similar manner [ɪn ðə seɪm weɪ]
• as: used to introduce a comparison [ɛz]
• the other dogs: referring to other canine animals [ðə ˈəðər dɔgz]
• had been used: were accustomed [hæd bɪn juzd]
• to do: to perform the action of wagging their tails [tɪ du]
• to: expressing direction or proximity [tɪ]
• Mr Jones: referring to a character named Mr. Jones [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]

Napoleon, with the dogs following him, now mounted onto the raised portion of the floor where Major had previously stood to deliver his speech.

• Napoleon: A proper noun, referring to a specific character [nəˈpoʊljən]
• with the dogs following him: Descriptive phrase indicating Napoleon is accompanied by dogs that are behind him [wɪθ ðə dɔgz ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ɪm]
• now: At the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• mounted: Got on (a horse, bicycle, etc. [ˈmaʊnɪd]
• onto: Preposition indicating movement to a surface [ˈɔntu]
• the raised portion: An elevated area [ðə reɪzd ˈpɔrʃən]
• of the floor: Specifies the location of the raised portion [əv ðə flɔr]
• where: Relative adverb indicating location [wɛr]
• Major: A proper noun, referring to a specific character [ˈmeɪʤər]
• had previously stood: Indicates a past action of standing in that location [hæd ˈpriviəsli stʊd]
• to deliver his speech: The purpose of standing there was to give a speech [tɪ dɪˈlɪvər hɪz spiʧ]

He announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end.

• He: Referring to Napoleon [hi]
• announced: Made a formal declaration [əˈnaʊnst]
• that: Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• from now on: Starting at this moment and continuing into the future [frəm naʊ ɔn]
• the Sunday-morning Meetings: Specific gatherings held on Sunday mornings [ðə sunday-morning ˈmitɪŋz]
• would come to an end: Will cease to exist; will be terminated [wʊd kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]

They were unnecessary, he said, and wasted time.

• They: Referring to the Sunday-morning Meetings [ðeɪ]
• were unnecessary: Not needed; not required [wər ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri]
• he said: Attribution of the statement [hi sɛd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two reasons [ənd]
• wasted time: Used time inefficiently [ˈweɪstɪd taɪm]

In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by himself.

• In future: From this point forward; in the time to come [ɪn fˈjuʧər]
• all questions: Every issue or matter [ɔl kˈwɛsʧənz]
• relating to: Concerning; about [rɪˈleɪtɪŋ tɪ]
• the working of the farm: How the farm operates and functions [ðə ˈwərkɪŋ əv ðə fɑrm]
• would be settled: Will be decided or resolved [wʊd bi ˈsɛtəld]
• by: Preposition indicating agency [baɪ]
• a special committee: A designated group with a specific purpose [ə ˈspɛʃəl kəˈmɪti]
• of pigs: Specifies the members of the committee [əv pɪgz]
• presided over: Led or controlled [prɪˈzaɪdɪd ˈoʊvər]
• by himself: By Napoleon [baɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]

These would meet in private and afterwards communicate their decisions to the others.

• These: Referring to the special committee of pigs [ðiz]
• would meet: Will gather together [wʊd mit]
• in private: Not publicly; secretly [ɪn ˈpraɪvət]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• afterwards: Later; subsequently [ˈæftərwərdz]
• communicate: Share or convey [kəmˈjunəˌkeɪt]
• their decisions: The choices or conclusions they have reached [ðɛr dɪˈsɪʒənz]
• to the others: To the other animals [tɪ ðə ˈəðərz]

The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag, sing ‘Beasts of England’ and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates.

• The animals: Referring to all the animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• would still assemble: Will continue to gather [wʊd stɪl əˈsɛmbəl]
• on Sunday mornings: Specific time when they gather [ɔn ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋz]
• to salute the flag: To show respect to the flag [tɪ səˈlut ðə flæg]
• sing: To perform vocally [sɪŋ]
• Beasts of England: Name of a song [‘‘beasts əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• receive: Get or be given [rɪˈsiv]
• their orders: Instructions or commands [ðɛr ˈɔrdərz]
• for the week: For the duration of the week [fər ðə wik]
• but: Conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• there would be: Indicates existence [ðɛr wʊd bi]
• no more debates: No further discussions or arguments [noʊ mɔr dəˈbeɪts]

In spite of the shock that Snowball's expulsion had given them, the animals were dismayed by this announcement.

• In spite of: despite; notwithstanding [ɪn spaɪt əv]
• the shock: a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience [ðə ʃɑk]
• that: introduces a clause specifying the shock [ðət]
• Snowball's: possessive form of Snowball, a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• expulsion: the act of forcing someone to leave a place or organization [ɪkˈspəlʃən]
• had given: past perfect tense of 'give', indicating the shock was already experienced [hæd ˈgɪvɪn]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• the animals: the collective group of animals in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were dismayed: felt distress, alarm, or disappointment [wər dɪsˈmeɪd]
• by this announcement: referring to a specific announcement that caused dismay [baɪ ðɪs əˈnaʊnsmɛnt]

Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments.

• Several of them: a few or some of the animals [ˈsɛvərəl əv ðɛm]
• would have protested: indicates a conditional action in the past; they wanted to protest but didn't [wʊd hæv ˈproʊˌtɛstəd]
• if: introduces a condition [ɪf]
• they could have found: indicates a past ability that was not realized [ðeɪ kʊd hæv faʊnd]
• the right arguments: suitable or convincing reasons to protest [ðə raɪt ˈɑrgjəmənts]

Even Boxer was vaguely troubled.

• Even: used to emphasize that even Boxer, who is usually agreeable, was troubled [ˈivɪn]
• Boxer: a character's name [ˈbɑksər]
• was vaguely troubled: felt uneasy or disturbed in a not very clear or defined way [wɑz ˈveɪgli ˈtrəbəld]

He set his ears back, shook his forelock several times, and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end he could not think of anything to say.

• He set his ears back: a gesture indicating discomfort or unease [hi sɛt hɪz ɪrz bæk]
• shook his forelock: shook the hair on his forehead, a sign of confusion or effort to think [ʃʊk hɪz forelock]
• several times: more than once, but not many times [ˈsɛvərəl taɪmz]
• and tried hard: made a significant effort [ənd traɪd hɑrd]
• to marshal his thoughts: to organize and arrange his thoughts in a clear and coherent way [tɪ ˈmɑrʃəl hɪz θɔts]
• but: introduces a contrast [bət]
• in the end: finally; after a period of time or effort [ɪn ðə ɛnd]
• he could not think: was unable to come up with [hi kʊd nɑt θɪŋk]
• of anything to say: any words or arguments to express [əv ˈɛniˌθɪŋ tɪ seɪ]

Some of the pigs themselves, however, were more articulate.

• Some of the pigs: a portion of the pig population [səm əv ðə pɪgz]
• themselves: emphasizes that it was the pigs, surprisingly [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• however: introduces a contrast or qualification [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• were more articulate: were able to express themselves more clearly and effectively [wər mɔr ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪt]

Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval, and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once.

• Four young porkers: four young pigs, 'porkers' is a term for young pigs intended for slaughter [fɔr jəŋ ˈpɔrkərz]
• in the front row: positioned at the front [ɪn ðə frənt roʊ]
• uttered shrill squeals: made high-pitched, piercing cries [ˈətərd ʃrɪl skwilz]
• of disapproval: expressing disagreement or objection [əv dɪsəˈpruvəl]
• and: connects two actions [ənd]
• all four of them: emphasizes that all four pigs acted together [ɔl fɔr əv ðɛm]
• sprang to their feet: suddenly stood up [spræŋ tɪ ðɛr fit]
• and began speaking: started to talk [ənd bɪˈgæn ˈspikɪŋ]
• at once: immediately; simultaneously [æt wəns]

But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep, menacing growls, and the pigs fell silent and sat down again.

• But suddenly: introduces an abrupt change [bət ˈsədənli]
• the dogs: a group of dogs [ðə dɔgz]
• sitting round: positioned around [ˈsɪtɪŋ raʊnd]
• Napoleon: a character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• let out: emitted; produced [lɛt aʊt]
• deep, menacing growls: low, threatening sounds [dip ˈmɛnəsɪŋ graʊlz]
• and: connects two results [ənd]
• the pigs fell silent: the pigs stopped talking [ðə pɪgz fɛl ˈsaɪlənt]
• and sat down: returned to a seated position [ənd sæt daʊn]
• again: once more [əˈgɛn]

Then the sheep broke out into a tremendous bleating of ‘Four legs good, two legs bad!’ which went on for nearly a quarter of an hour and put an end to any chance of discussion.

• Then: indicates sequence [ðɛn]
• the sheep: a group of sheep [ðə ʃip]
• broke out: suddenly started [broʊk aʊt]
• into a tremendous bleating: a loud, intense sound of sheep crying [ˈɪntu ə trɪˈmɛndəs bleating]
• of: introduces the content of the bleating [əv]
• Four legs good, two legs bad: a slogan or motto [‘‘four lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]
• which went on: continued [wɪʧ wɛnt ɔn]
• for nearly a quarter of an hour: for almost fifteen minutes [fər ˈnɪrli ə kˈwɔrtər əv ən aʊər]
• and put an end: stopped; concluded [ənd pʊt ən ɛnd]
• to any chance: eliminating any possibility [tɪ ˈɛni ʧæns]
• of discussion: of having a conversation or debate [əv dɪˈskəʃən]