VII(Roman numeral for the number 7 [vii])
It was(referring to a specific time or period [ɪt wɑz]) a bitter winter(a harsh and unpleasant winter season [ə ˈbɪtər ˈwɪntər]). (end of the sentence)The stormy weather(weather characterized by storms [ðə ˈstɔrmi ˈwɛðər]) was followed(came after [wɑz ˈfɑloʊd]) by sleet and snow(precipitation consisting of ice pellets and frozen water [baɪ slit ənd snoʊ]), and(connecting two related events [ ənd]) then(after that [ðɛn]) by a hard frost(a severe freezing condition [baɪ ə hɑrd frɔst]) which did not break(that did not thaw or end [wɪʧ dɪd nɑt breɪk]) till(until [tɪl]) well into February(deep into the month of February [wɛl ˈɪntu ˈfɛbruˌɛri]). (end of the sentence)The animals(referring to the animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]) carried on(continued [ˈkɛrid ɔn]) as best they could(to the best of their ability [ɛz bɛst ðeɪ kʊd]) with the rebuilding(the act of reconstructing [wɪθ ðə riˈbɪldɪŋ]) of the windmill(the structure they were rebuilding [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]), well knowing(being fully aware [ wɛl noʊɪŋ]) that(introducing a clause explaining what they knew [ðət]) the outside world(the world beyond their farm [ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd wərld]) was watching them(was observing their actions [wɑz ˈwɑʧɪŋ ðɛm]) and(connecting two related ideas [ənd]) that(introducing a clause explaining what else they knew [ðət]) the envious human beings(humans who were jealous of them [ðə ˈɛnviəs ˈjumən biɪŋz]) would rejoice(would be very happy [wʊd rɪˈʤɔɪs]) and triumph(and celebrate victory [ənd traɪəmf]) if(introducing a condition [ɪf]) the mill(short for windmill [ðə mɪl]) were not finished(was not completed [wər nɑt ˈfɪnɪʃt]) on time(by the scheduled deadline [ɔn taɪm]).
Out of spite(motivated by malice or a desire to annoy or frustrate someone [aʊt əv spaɪt]), the human beings(people; in this context, referring to the farmers or owners of the farm [ðə ˈjumən biɪŋz]) pretended(gave the appearance of; behaved as if something were true when it was not [priˈtɛndɪd]) not to believe(to refuse to accept as true or real [nɑt tɪ bɪˈliv]) that it was Snowball(referring to a specific character named Snowball, implying blame or accusation [ðət ɪt wɑz sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) who had destroyed the windmill(the one responsible for the destruction of the windmill, a key structure on the farm [hu hæd dɪˈstrɔɪd ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]): they said(the human beings stated or claimed [ðeɪ sɛd]) that it had fallen down(referring to the windmill collapsing or collapsing [ðət ɪt hæd ˈfɑlən daʊn]) because the walls were too thin(the reason given for the windmill's collapse; suggesting a structural flaw [bɪˈkəz ðə wɔlz wər tu θɪn]). The animals knew(The other creatures on the farm were aware [ðə ˈænəməlz nu]) that this was not the case(that the human's explanation was not true [ðət ðɪs wɑz nɑt ðə keɪs]). Still(Nevertheless; despite what has just been said [stɪl]), it had been decided(a decision was made [ɪt hæd bɪn ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd]) to build the walls three feet thick(the new specification for the windmill walls; indicating a thicker, stronger structure [tɪ bɪld ðə wɔlz θri fit θɪk]) this time(on this occasion; in the rebuilding effort [ðɪs taɪm]) instead of eighteen inches(the original thickness of the walls; highlighting the change in construction [ˌɪnˈstɛd əv ˈeɪˈtin ˈɪnʧɪz]) as before(previously; in the past [ɛz ˌbiˈfɔr]), which meant(implying a consequence or result [wɪʧ mɛnt]) collecting much larger quantities of stone(the necessary action to build the thicker walls; a significant increase in effort [kəˈlɛktɪŋ məʧ ˈlɑrʤər kˈwɑntətiz əv stoʊn]). For a long time(over an extended period [fər ə lɔŋ taɪm]) the quarry(a place where stone is excavated [ðə kˈwɔri]) was full of snowdrifts(covered in large accumulations of snow [wɑz fʊl əv snowdrifts]) and nothing could be done(no progress was possible due to the weather conditions [ənd ˈnəθɪŋ kʊd bi dən]). Some progress was made(a certain amount of advancement was achieved [səm ˈprɑˌgrɛs wɑz meɪd]) in the dry frosty weather(during weather that was cold and dry [ɪn ðə draɪ ˈfrɔsti ˈwɛðər]) that followed(that came after the period of snow [ðət ˈfɑloʊd]), but it was cruel work(the labor was harsh and difficult [bət ɪt wɑz kruəl wərk]), and the animals could not feel so hopeful(the animals were less optimistic [ənd ðə ˈænəməlz kʊd nɑt fil soʊ ˈhoʊpfəl]) about it(about the work [əˈbaʊt ɪt]) as they had felt before(compared to their previous feelings [ɛz ðeɪ hæd fɛlt ˌbiˈfɔr]). They were always cold(they constantly felt the sensation of cold [ðeɪ wər ˈɔlˌweɪz koʊld]), and usually hungry as well(and they were also often lacking food [ənd ˈjuʒəwəli ˈhəŋgri ɛz wɛl]). Only Boxer and Clover(referring to specific characters named Boxer and Clover [ˈoʊnli ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər]) never lost heart(remained optimistic and determined [ˈnɛvər lɔst hɑrt]). Squealer(referring to a specific character named Squealer [squealer]) made excellent speeches(delivered impressive and persuasive talks [meɪd ˈɛksələnt ˈspiʧɪz]) on the joy of service(about the happiness derived from working for the common good [ɔn ðə ʤɔɪ əv ˈsərvɪs]) and the dignity of labour(and the respectability and worthiness of work [ənd ðə ˈdɪgnəti əv ˈleɪbər]), but the other animals found more inspiration(but the rest of the animals were more motivated [bət ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz faʊnd mɔr ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən]) in Boxer's strength(by Boxer's physical power [ɪn ˈbɑksərz strɛŋθ]) and his never-failing cry(and his constant exclamation [ənd hɪz never-failing kraɪ]) of ‘I will work harder!’
In January(Referring to the month of January [ɪn ˈʤænjuˌɛri]) food(Edible sustenance; what is eaten [fud]) fell short(Was insufficient; did not meet the required amount or standard [fɛl ʃɔrt]). The corn ration(A fixed amount of corn allocated to each individual or animal [ðə kɔrn ˈræʃən]) was drastically reduced(Was significantly decreased; reduced by a large amount [wɑz ˈdræstɪkli rɪˈdust]), and(Conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]) it was announced(A formal statement was made public [ɪt wɑz əˈnaʊnst]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) an extra potato ration(An additional amount of potatoes allocated [ən ˈɛkstrə pəˈteɪˌtoʊ ˈræʃən]) would be issued(Would be distributed or provided [wʊd bi ˈɪʃud]) to make up for it(To compensate for the deficiency in corn; to compensate for the reduction of corn ration [tɪ meɪk əp fər ɪt]). Then(Adverb indicating sequence or time [ðɛn]) it was discovered(It was found out; it became known [ɪt wɑz dɪˈskəvərd]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) the greater part(The majority; the largest portion [ðə ˈgreɪtər pɑrt]) of the potato crop(The total yield of potatoes [əv ðə pəˈteɪˌtoʊ krɑp]) had been frosted(Had been damaged by frost; had suffered frost damage [hæd bɪn ˈfrɔstɪd]) in the clamps(In mounds or heaps where potatoes are stored for preservation [ɪn ðə klæmps]), which(Relative pronoun referring to the clamps [wɪʧ]) had not been covered(Had not been protected [hæd nɑt bɪn ˈkəvərd]) thickly enough(With sufficient thickness or insulation [ˈθɪkli ɪˈnəf]). The potatoes(The harvested potatoes [ðə pəˈteɪtoʊz]) had become(Had turned into; had changed to [hæd bɪˈkəm]) soft(Lacking firmness; easily yielding to pressure [sɔft]) and(Conjunction used to connect adjectives [ənd]) discoloured(Having lost its original color; stained or faded [discoloured]), and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) only a few(Just a small number [ˈoʊnli ə fju]) were edible(Were suitable for eating; safe to be eaten [wər ˈɛdəbəl]). For days at a time(For extended periods; for several consecutive days [fər deɪz æt ə taɪm]) the animals(The farm animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]) had nothing to eat(Had no food available [hæd ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ it]) but(Except; only [bət]) chaff(The husks of grains separated during threshing [ʧæf]) and(Conjunction used to connect nouns [ənd]) mangels(A type of beet used as animal feed [ˈmeɪŋgəlz]). Starvation(The state of extreme hunger; suffering from lack of food [stɑrˈveɪʃən]) seemed(Appeared; gave the impression [simd]) to stare them in the face(To be an imminent and unavoidable threat [tɪ stɛr ðɛm ɪn ðə feɪs]).
It was(Referring to the situation [ɪt wɑz]) vitally necessary(Extremely important; absolutely essential [ˈvaɪtəli ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]) to conceal(To hide; to keep secret [tɪ kənˈsil]) this fact(The fact that food was scarce [ðɪs fækt]) from the outside world(From people not on the farm; from those external to the situation [frəm ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd wərld]). Emboldened(Given courage or confidence [ɛmˈboʊldənd]) by the collapse(Due to the failure [baɪ ðə kəˈlæps]) of the windmill(The structure used to generate power [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]), the human beings(The people [ðə ˈjumən biɪŋz]) were inventing(Were creating; were making up [wər ˌɪnˈvɛntɪŋ]) fresh lies(New falsehoods; new untrue statements [frɛʃ laɪz]) about Animal Farm(Regarding the farm [əˈbaʊt ˈænəməl fɑrm]). Once again(Yet again; repeatedly [wəns əˈgɛn]) it was being put about(Rumors were being spread; it was being circulated [ɪt wɑz biɪŋ pʊt əˈbaʊt]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) all the animals(Every animal [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]) were dying(Were in the process of dying [wər daɪɪŋ]) of famine(Due to extreme scarcity of food [əv ˈfæmən]) and(Conjunction used to connect nouns [ənd]) disease(Illness; sickness [dɪˈziz]), and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) they were continually(They were constantly; they were always [ðeɪ wər kənˈtɪnjuəli]) fighting(Engaging in physical or verbal conflict [ˈfaɪtɪŋ]) among themselves(With each other [əˈməŋ ðɛmˈsɛlvz]) and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) had resorted to(Had turned to; had started using [hæd rɪˈzɔrtɪd tɪ]) cannibalism(The practice of eating members of one's own species [ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm]) and(Conjunction used to connect nouns [ənd]) infanticide(The killing of infants [ˌɪnˈfæntəˌsaɪd]). Napoleon(The leader of the animals [nəˈpoʊljən]) was well aware(Was fully conscious; knew very well [wɑz wɛl əˈwɛr]) of the bad results(Of the negative consequences [əv ðə bæd rɪˈzəlts]) that(Relative pronoun referring to the results [ðət]) might follow(Could occur; could happen [maɪt ˈfɑloʊ]) if(Conditional conjunction [ɪf]) the real facts(The actual truth [ðə ril fækts]) of the food situation(Regarding the food supply [əv ðə fud ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən]) were known(Became public; were revealed [wər noʊn]), and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) he decided(He made a decision [hi ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd]) to make use of(To utilize; to employ [tɪ meɪk juz əv]) Mr Whymper(A human character who acts as an intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world [ˈmɪstər whymper]) to spread(To disseminate; to circulate [tɪ sprɛd]) a contrary impression(An opposite idea; a different perception [ə ˈkɑntrɛri ˌɪmˈprɛʃən]). Hitherto(Until this time; previously [ˈhɪˌðərˈtu]) the animals(The farm animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]) had had(Had experienced; had possessed [hæd hæd]) little or no contact(Very limited or no interaction [ˈlɪtəl ər noʊ ˈkɑnˌtækt]) with Whymper(With the character Mr. Whymper [wɪθ whymper]) on his weekly visits(During his regular visits each week [ɔn hɪz ˈwikli ˈvɪzɪts]): now(At the present time [naʊ]), however(Nevertheless; despite this [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), a few selected animals(A small number of chosen animals [ə fju səˈlɛktɪd ˈænəməlz]), mostly sheep(Primarily sheep [ˈmoʊstli ʃip]), were instructed(Were told; were ordered [wər ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd]) to remark casually(To say something in a relaxed and informal manner [tɪ rɪˈmɑrk ˈkæʒəwəli]) in his hearing(Within earshot; where he could overhear [ɪn hɪz ˈhirɪŋ]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) rations(Fixed amounts of food [ˈræʃənz]) had been increased(Had been made larger; had been augmented [hæd bɪn ˌɪnˈkrist]). In addition(Furthermore; also [ɪn əˈdɪʃən]). Napoleon(The leader of the animals [nəˈpoʊljən]) ordered(Commanded; instructed [ˈɔrdərd]) the almost empty bins(The containers that were nearly devoid of contents [ðə ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈɛmti bɪnz]) in the store-shed(In the building used for storage [ɪn ðə store-shed]) to be filled(To be loaded; to be packed [tɪ bi fɪld]) nearly to the brim(Almost to the top edge [ˈnɪrli tɪ ðə brɪm]) with sand(With granular material [wɪθ sænd]), which(Relative pronoun referring to the sand [wɪʧ]) was then covered up(Was subsequently concealed [wɑz ðɛn ˈkəvərd əp]) with what remained(With the remaining portion [wɪθ wət rɪˈmeɪnd]) of the grain and meal(Of the harvested crop and ground food [əv ðə greɪn ənd mil]). On some suitable pretext(Using a convenient excuse or reason [ɔn səm ˈsutəbəl ˈpriˌtɛkst]) Whymper(The character Mr. Whymper [whymper]) was led(Was guided; was taken [wɑz lɛd]) through the store-shed(Through the storage building [θru ðə store-shed]) and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) allowed(Permitted; given the opportunity [əˈlaʊd]) to catch a glimpse(To see briefly; to get a quick look [tɪ kæʧ ə glɪmps]) of the bins(Of the containers [əv ðə bɪnz]). He was deceived(He was tricked; he was misled [hi wɑz dɪˈsivd]), and(Conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) continued(Kept on; persisted [kənˈtɪnjud]) to report(To give information; to communicate [tɪ rɪˈpɔrt]) to the outside world(To people not on the farm [tɪ ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd wərld]) that(Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) there was no food shortage(There was an adequate supply of food [ðɛr wɑz noʊ fud ˈʃɔrtɪʤ]) on Animal Farm(On the farm [ɔn ˈænəməl fɑrm]).