Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 29

On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion, the animals were somewhat surprised to hear Napoleon announce that the windmill was to be built after all.

• On: preposition indicating the time or day something happens [ɔn]
• the third Sunday: refers to the third Sunday of a month or after a specific event [ðə θərd ˈsənˌdi]
• after: following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• Snowball's expulsion: Snowball's removal or banishment from a place or group [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz ɪkˈspəlʃən]
• the animals: referring to the non-human creatures in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• somewhat: to a moderate extent or degree; rather [ˈsəmˈwət]
• surprised: feeling or showing astonishment or wonder [səˈpraɪzd]
• to hear: to perceive with the ear [tɪ hir]
• Napoleon: name of a character, often associated with leadership or authority [nəˈpoʊljən]
• announce: to make a public or formal declaration about a fact, occurrence, or intention [əˈnaʊns]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the windmill: a structure or machine that uses wind power to generate energy or grind grain [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• was to be built: indicating a plan or intention for future construction [wɑz tɪ bi bɪlt]
• after all: despite an earlier expectation or belief to the contrary [ˈæftər ɔl]

He did not give any reason for having changed his mind, but merely warned the animals that this extra task would mean very hard work; it might even be necessary to reduce their rations.

• He: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• did not give: past tense of 'to give', indicating a lack of providing something [dɪd nɑt gɪv]
• any reason: a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event [ˈɛni ˈrizən]
• for: indicating the purpose or cause of something [fər]
• having changed: having altered or modified something [ˈhævɪŋ ʧeɪnʤd]
• his mind: one's thoughts, intentions, or opinions [hɪz maɪnd]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• merely: just; only [ˈmɪrli]
• warned: informed someone of a possible danger or problem [wɔrnd]
• the animals: referring to the non-human creatures in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• this extra task: an additional job or responsibility [ðɪs ˈɛkstrə tæsk]
• would mean: would signify or result in [wʊd min]
• very hard work: requiring a great deal of effort or exertion [ˈvɛri hɑrd wərk]
• it: referring to the extra task [ɪt]
• might: expressing possibility or uncertainty [maɪt]
• even: used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising [ˈivɪn]
• be necessary: be required or essential [bi ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]
• to reduce: to make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size [tɪ rɪˈdus]
• their rations: a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [ðɛr ˈræʃənz]

The plans, however, had all been prepared, down to the last detail.

• The plans: a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something [ðə plænz]
• however: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict what has been said previously [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• had all been prepared: had been made ready for use or consideration [hæd ɔl bɪn priˈpɛrd]
• down to: extending to or including [daʊn tɪ]
• the last detail: the smallest or least important feature or aspect [ðə læst ˈditeɪl]

A special committee of pigs had been at work upon them for the past three weeks.

• A special committee: a group of people appointed for a specific purpose [ə ˈspɛʃəl kəˈmɪti]
• of pigs: referring to the animals in the story [əv pɪgz]
• had been: past perfect continuous tense of 'to be' [hæd bɪn]
• at work: engaged in activity, especially labor [æt wərk]
• upon them: on the plans [əˈpɑn ðɛm]
• for: indicating the duration of time [fər]
• the past three weeks: the three weeks immediately preceding the present [ðə pæst θri wiks]

The building of the windmill, with various other improvements, was expected to take two years.

• The building: the act or process of constructing something [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋ]
• of the windmill: referring to the structure being built [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• with: accompanied by or including [wɪθ]
• various other improvements: different kinds of enhancements or additions [ˈvɛriəs ˈəðər ˌɪmˈpruvmənts]
• was expected: was anticipated or predicted [wɑz ɪkˈspɛktɪd]
• to take: to require or consume [tɪ teɪk]
• two years: a period of 24 months [tu jɪrz]

That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill.

• That evening: Refers to a specific evening previously mentioned or understood in the context. [ðət ˈivnɪŋ]
• Squealer: The name of a character, likely a pig, known for persuasive speaking. [squealer]
• explained: Made something clear or understandable. [ɪkˈspleɪnd]
• privately: In a way that is not public or open; confidentially. [ˈpraɪvətli]
• to the other animals: Addressing the rest of the animal community. [tɪ ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• that: Introducing a clause explaining what Squealer said. [ðət]
• Napoleon: The name of a character, likely a pig, possibly the leader. [nəˈpoʊljən]
• had never in reality been: Emphasizing that Napoleon's opposition was not genuine. [hæd ˈnɛvər ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti bɪn]
• opposed to: Against; in disagreement with. [əˈpoʊzd tɪ]
• the windmill: A specific windmill project that is central to the story. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

On the contrary, it was he who had advocated it in the beginning, and the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor of the incubator shed had actually been stolen from among Napoleon's papers.

• On the contrary: Used to introduce a statement that contradicts a previous one. [ɔn ðə ˈkɑntrɛri]
• it was he: Emphasizing that Napoleon was the one. [ɪt wɑz hi]
• who had advocated it: Who had supported or recommended it. [hu hæd ˈædvəˌkeɪtɪd ɪt]
• in the beginning: From the start; initially. [ɪn ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• and: Connecting the previous statement with the following one. [ənd]
• the plan: Referring to the design or blueprint. [ðə plæn]
• which Snowball had drawn: Referring to a plan created by another character named Snowball. [wɪʧ sˈnoʊˌbɔl hæd drɔn]
• on the floor of the incubator shed: Specifying the location where the plan was drawn. [ɔn ðə flɔr əv ðə ˈɪŋkjəˌbeɪtər ʃɛd]
• had actually been stolen: Emphasizing that the plan was taken without permission. [hæd ˈæˌkʧuəli bɪn ˈstoʊlən]
• from among Napoleon's papers: Taken from Napoleon's documents. [frəm əˈməŋ nəˈpoʊliənz ˈpeɪpərz]

The windmill was, in fact, Napoleon's own creation.

• The windmill was, in fact, Napoleon's own creation: Reinforcing the idea that Napoleon was the originator of the windmill. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl wɑz ɪn fækt nəˈpoʊliənz oʊn kriˈeɪʃən]

Why, then, asked somebody, had he spoken so strongly against it?

• Why, then: Introducing a question based on the previous statements. [waɪ ðɛn]
• asked somebody: Indicates that someone in the group posed a question. [æst ˈsəmˌbɑdi]
• had he spoken so strongly against it: Why Napoleon had voiced strong opposition to the windmill. [hæd hi ˈspoʊkən soʊ ˈstrɔŋli əˈgɛnst ɪt]

Here Squealer looked very sly.

• Here: At this point in the conversation. [hir]
• Squealer looked very sly: Squealer appeared cunning or deceptive. [squealer lʊkt ˈvɛri slaɪ]

That, he said, was Comrade Napoleon's cunning.

• That, he said: Introducing Squealer's explanation. [ðət hi sɛd]
• was Comrade Napoleon's cunning: Napoleon's cleverness or trickery. [wɑz ˈkɑmˌræd nəˈpoʊliənz ˈkənɪŋ]

He had seemed to oppose the windmill, simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball, who was a dangerous character and a bad influence.

• He had seemed to oppose the windmill: He gave the impression of being against the windmill. [hi hæd simd tɪ əˈpoʊz ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• simply as a manoeuvre: Only as a strategic move. [ˈsɪmpli ɛz ə manoeuvre]
• to get rid of Snowball: To eliminate or remove Snowball. [tɪ gɪt rɪd əv sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• who was a dangerous character: Snowball was portrayed as a threat. [hu wɑz ə ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈkɛrɪktər]
• and a bad influence: Snowball had a negative impact. [ənd ə bæd ˈɪnfluəns]

Now that Snowball was out of the way the plan could go forward without his interference.

• Now that Snowball was out of the way: Since Snowball was no longer present or involved. [naʊ ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl wɑz aʊt əv ðə weɪ]
• the plan could go forward: The plan could proceed. [ðə plæn kʊd goʊ ˈfɔrwərd]
• without his interference: Without Snowball's obstruction. [wɪˈθaʊt hɪz ˌɪnərˈfɪrəns]

This, said Squealer, was something called tactics.

• This, said Squealer: Introducing Squealer's explanation of the tactic. [ðɪs sɛd squealer]
• was something called tactics: This was an example of strategy or planning. [wɑz ˈsəmθɪŋ kɔld ˈtæktɪks]

He repeated a number of times, ‘Tactics, comrades, tactics!’ skipping round and whisking his tail with a merry laugh.

• He repeated a number of times: He said it several times. [hi rɪˈpitɪd ə ˈnəmbər əv taɪmz]
• Tactics, comrades, tactics: Emphasizing the use of strategy. [‘‘tactics ˈkɑmˌrædz ˈtæktɪks]
• skipping round: Moving around lightly and quickly. [ˈskɪpɪŋ raʊnd]
• and whisking his tail: Moving his tail quickly back and forth. [ənd whisking hɪz teɪl]
• with a merry laugh: With a joyful or gleeful laugh. [wɪθ ə ˈmɛri læf]

The animals were not certain what the word meant, but Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they accepted his explanation without further questions.

• The animals were not certain: The animals were unsure. [ðə ˈænəməlz wər nɑt ˈsərtən]
• what the word meant: What the term 'tactics' signified. [wət ðə wərd mɛnt]
• but Squealer spoke so persuasively: Squealer spoke in a convincing manner. [bət squealer spoʊk soʊ pərsˈweɪsɪvli]
• and the three dogs: Referring to three dogs present. [ənd ðə θri dɔgz]
• who happened to be with him: Who were present with Squealer. [hu ˈhæpənd tɪ bi wɪθ ɪm]
• growled so threateningly: Made menacing sounds. [graʊld soʊ θˈrɛtənɪŋli]
• that they accepted his explanation: They believed his explanation. [ðət ðeɪ ækˈsɛptɪd hɪz ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən]
• without further questions: Without asking any more questions. [wɪˈθaʊt ˈfərðər kˈwɛsʧənz]

VI

• VI: Roman numeral for six, often used to denote a chapter or section number [vi]

All that year the animals worked like slaves.

• All that year: Refers to the entirety of the specified year [ɔl ðət jɪr]
• the animals: Referring to the animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• worked: Engaged in labor or effort [wərkt]
• like slaves: Worked very hard, with no freedom or rights; a simile indicating intense labor [laɪk sleɪvz]

But they were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice, well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them, and not for a pack of idle thieving human beings.

• But: A conjunction indicating a contrast or exception [bət]
• they: Referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• were happy: Felt content and satisfied [wər ˈhæpi]
• in their work: Found joy or satisfaction in the labor they were doing [ɪn ðɛr wərk]
• they: Referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• grudged: Resented or were unwilling to give [grudged]
• no effort: Did not hold back on exertion or hard work [noʊ ˈɛfərt]
• or sacrifice: Or giving up something valuable for a cause [ər ˈsækrəˌfaɪs]
• well aware: Fully conscious and understanding [wɛl əˈwɛr]
• that: Introducing a clause explaining what they were aware of [ðət]
• everything: All things; all that [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that they did: The actions they performed [ðət ðeɪ dɪd]
• was: Linking verb indicating equality or identity [wɑz]
• for the benefit: For the advantage or good [fər ðə ˈbɛnəfɪt]
• of themselves: For their own good [əv ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• and: A conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• those of their kind: Others who are similar to them [ðoʊz əv ðɛr kaɪnd]
• who would come after them: Future generations of animals [hu wʊd kəm ˈæftər ðɛm]
• and: A conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• not: Negation [nɑt]
• for a pack: A group, usually derogatory [fər ə pæk]
• of idle: Lazy and inactive [əv ˈaɪdəl]
• thieving: Stealing or dishonest [ˈθivɪŋ]
• human beings: People [ˈjumən biɪŋz]