Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 39

All this while no more had been seen of Snowball.

• All this while: During this entire period; throughout the time that has passed [ɔl ðɪs waɪl]
• no more: not any more; indicating that nothing further [noʊ mɔr]
• had been seen: past perfect passive form of 'see', indicating that Snowball had not been observed [hæd bɪn sin]
• of Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [əv sˈnoʊˌbɔl]

He was rumoured to be hiding on one of the neighbouring farms, either Foxwood or Pinchfield.

• He: referring to Snowball [hi]
• was rumoured: it was said; there was a rumor [wɑz rumoured]
• to be hiding: to be in a concealed location [tɪ bi ˈhaɪdɪŋ]
• on one of: among several; a selection from a group [ɔn wən əv]
• the neighbouring farms: farms located nearby [ðə ˈneɪbərɪŋ fɑrmz]
• either: used to introduce two possibilities [ˈiðər]
• Foxwood or Pinchfield: names of the neighboring farms [ˈfɑksˌwʊd ər pinchfield]

Napoleon was by this time on slightly better terms with the other farmers than before.

• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• by this time: at this point; now [baɪ ðɪs taɪm]
• on slightly better terms: having a somewhat improved relationship [ɔn sˈlaɪtli ˈbɛtər tərmz]
• with the other farmers: referring to the farmers of the neighboring farms [wɪθ ðə ˈəðər ˈfɑrmərz]
• than before: compared to the past; previously [ðən ˌbiˈfɔr]

It happened that there was in the yard a pile of timber which had been stacked there ten years earlier when a beech spinney was cleared.

• It happened: it occurred; by chance [ɪt ˈhæpənd]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• there was: there existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• in the yard: in the enclosed area around the farm buildings [ɪn ðə jɑrd]
• a pile of timber: a stack of wood [ə paɪl əv ˈtɪmbər]
• which: refers to the pile of timber [wɪʧ]
• had been stacked: had been piled up [hæd bɪn stækt]
• there: in that place; in the yard [ðɛr]
• ten years earlier: ten years in the past [tɛn jɪrz ˈərliər]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• a beech spinney: a small wood or thicket of beech trees [ə biʧ ˈspɪni]
• was cleared: was cut down or removed [wɑz klɪrd]

It was well seasoned, and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick were anxious to buy it.

• It: referring to the pile of timber [ɪt]
• was well seasoned: the timber had been dried and aged properly [wɑz wɛl ˈsizənd]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• Whymper: name of a character [whymper]
• had advised: had given advice [hæd ədˈvaɪzd]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• to sell it: to sell the timber [tɪ sɛl ɪt]
• both: referring to two individuals [boʊθ]
• Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick: names of the farmers [ˈmɪstər ˈpɪlkɪŋtən ənd ˈmɪstər ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• were anxious: were eager; were keen [wər ˈæŋʃəs]
• to buy it: to buy the timber [tɪ baɪ ɪt]

Napoleon was hesitating between the two, unable to make up his mind.

• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was hesitating: was pausing or delaying [wɑz ˈhɛzəˌteɪtɪŋ]
• between the two: between Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick [bɪtˈwin ðə tu]
• unable to make up his mind: unable to decide [əˈneɪbəl tɪ meɪk əp hɪz maɪnd]

It was noticed that whenever he seemed on the point of coming to an agreement with Frederick, Snowball was declared to be in hiding at Foxwood, while when he inclined towards Pilkington, Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield.

• It: refers to the situation [ɪt]
• was noticed: it was observed [wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• whenever: every time that [wɛˈnɛvər]
• he seemed: he appeared [hi simd]
• on the point of: about to; very close to [ɔn ðə pɔɪnt əv]
• coming to an agreement: reaching a deal [ˈkəmɪŋ tɪ ən əˈgrimənt]
• with Frederick: referring to Mr Frederick [wɪθ ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was declared: was stated; was announced [wɑz dɪˈklɛrd]
• to be in hiding: to be concealed [tɪ bi ɪn ˈhaɪdɪŋ]
• at Foxwood: name of the farm [æt ˈfɑksˌwʊd]
• while: whereas; at the same time [waɪl]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• he inclined: he leaned; he favored [hi ˌɪnˈklaɪnd]
• towards Pilkington: in the direction of Mr Pilkington [təˈwɔrdz ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]
• Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was said: it was stated [wɑz sɛd]
• to be at Pinchfield: to be at the Pinchfield farm [tɪ bi æt pinchfield]

Suddenly, early in the spring, an alarming thing was discovered.

• Suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• early in the spring: at the beginning of the spring season [ ˈərli ɪn ðə spərɪŋ]
• an alarming thing: something that causes worry or fear [ ən əˈlɑrmɪŋ θɪŋ]
• was discovered: was found out or noticed [wɑz dɪˈskəvərd]

Snowball was secretly frequenting the farm by night!

• Snowball: Name of a character, likely an animal in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was secretly frequenting: was visiting often in a hidden manner [wɑz ˈsikrɪtli ˈfrikˌwɛntɪŋ]
• the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]
• by night: during the nighttime [baɪ naɪt]

The animals were so disturbed that they could hardly sleep in their stalls.

• The animals: The creatures living on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were so disturbed: were very worried or upset [wər soʊ dɪˈstərbd]
• that they could hardly sleep: that they had difficulty falling or staying asleep [ðət ðeɪ kʊd ˈhɑrdli slip]
• in their stalls: in the individual compartments where they are kept [ɪn ðɛr stɔlz]

Every night, it was said, he came creeping in under cover of darkness and performed all kinds of mischief.

• Every night: each night; on every occasion of night [ˈɛvəri naɪt]
• it was said: according to what people were saying [ ɪt wɑz sɛd]
• he came creeping in: he entered slowly and quietly [ hi keɪm ˈkripɪŋ ɪn]
• under cover of darkness: hidden by the darkness of the night [ˈəndər ˈkəvər əv ˈdɑrknəs]
• and performed: and carried out [ənd pərˈfɔrmd]
• all kinds of mischief: various types of bad behavior or trouble [ɔl kaɪnz əv ˈmɪsʧəf]

He stole the corn, he upset the milk-pails, he broke the eggs, he trampled the seed-beds, he gnawed the bark off the fruit trees.

• He stole: He took something without permission [hi stoʊl]
• the corn: the grain crop [ðə kɔrn]
• he upset: he knocked over [ hi ˈəpˌsɛt]
• the milk-pails: the buckets used for milking [ðə milk-pails]
• he broke: he shattered [ hi broʊk]
• the eggs: the oval-shaped reproductive bodies of birds [ðə ɛgz]
• he trampled: he stepped heavily on [ hi ˈtræmpəld]
• the seed-beds: areas prepared for planting seeds [ðə seed-beds]
• he gnawed: he bit or nibbled at [ hi nɔd]
• the bark: the outer covering of trees [ðə bɑrk]
• off the fruit trees: from the trees that produce fruit [ɔf ðə frut triz]

Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball.

• Whenever anything went wrong: Every time something bad happened [wɛˈnɛvər ˈɛniˌθɪŋ wɛnt rɔŋ]
• it became usual: it became common practice [ɪt bɪˈkeɪm ˈjuʒəwəl]
• to attribute it to Snowball: to blame Snowball for it [tɪ əˈtrɪˌbjut ɪt tɪ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]

If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up, someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it, and when the key of the stores-shed was lost the whole farm was convinced that Snowball had thrown it down the well.

• If a window: In the event that a window [ɪf ə ˈwɪndoʊ]
• was broken: was damaged or shattered [wɑz ˈbroʊkən]
• or a drain: or a pipe carrying away wastewater [ər ə dreɪn]
• was blocked up: was obstructed or clogged [wɑz blɑkt əp]
• someone: some person [ ˈsəmˌwən]
• was certain: was sure [wɑz ˈsərtən]
• to say: to state [tɪ seɪ]
• that Snowball: that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• had come: had arrived [hæd kəm]
• in the night: during the nighttime [ɪn ðə naɪt]
• and done it: and caused the damage [ənd dən ɪt]
• and when: and at the time when [ ənd wɪn]
• the key: the device used to lock or unlock something [ðə ki]
• of the stores-shed: belonging to the shed where supplies are kept [əv ðə stores-shed]
• was lost: could not be found [wɑz lɔst]
• the whole farm: all the inhabitants of the farm [ðə hoʊl fɑrm]
• was convinced: was certain [wɑz kənˈvɪnst]
• that Snowball: that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• had thrown it: had tossed it [hæd θroʊn ɪt]
• down the well: into the deep hole in the ground used to access water [daʊn ðə wɛl]

Curiously enough they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal.

• Curiously enough: Interestingly or surprisingly [ˈkjʊriəsli ɪˈnəf]
• they went on believing: they continued to believe [ðeɪ wɛnt ɔn bɪˈlivɪŋ]
• this: the aforementioned belief [ðɪs]
• even after: even following the event that [ˈivɪn ˈæftər]
• the mislaid key: the key that had been misplaced [ðə mɪsˈleɪd ki]
• was found: was located [wɑz faʊnd]
• under a sack of meal: beneath a bag of ground grains [ˈəndər ə sæk əv mil]

The cows declared unanimously that Snowball crept into their stalk and milked them in their sleep.

• The cows: The female bovine animals [ðə kaʊz]
• declared unanimously: stated with complete agreement [dɪˈklɛrd juˈnænəməsli]
• that Snowball: that the character Snowball [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• crept: moved slowly and quietly [krɛpt]
• into their stalk: into their enclosure [ˈɪntu ðɛr stɔk]
• and milked them: and extracted milk from them [ənd mɪlkt ðɛm]
• in their sleep: while they were sleeping [ɪn ðɛr slip]

The rats, which had been troublesome that winter, were also said to be in league with Snowball.

• The rats: The rodents [ðə ræts]
• which had been troublesome: who had been causing problems [ wɪʧ hæd bɪn ˈtrəbəlsəm]
• that winter: during the winter season [ðət ˈwɪntər]
• were also said: were also reported [ wər ˈɔlsoʊ sɛd]
• to be in league with Snowball: to be secretly working together with Snowball [tɪ bi ɪn lig wɪθ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]

Napoleon decreed that their should be a full investigation into Snowball's activities.

• Napoleon: A proper noun referring to a specific character, likely named after Napoleon Bonaparte, implying leadership or dominance [nəˈpoʊljən]
• decreed: officially ordered or declared something [dɪˈkrid]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the decree [ðət]
• their: grammatical error, should be 'there' - indicating existence [ðɛr]
• should: expresses obligation, advisability, or probability [ʃʊd]
• be: links the subject to the predicate [bi]
• a full investigation: a thorough and complete inquiry into something [ə fʊl ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən]
• into: expressing movement or direction inward [ˈɪntu]
• Snowball's: possessive form of 'Snowball', indicating something belonging to or associated with Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• activities: actions or things being done [ækˈtɪvɪtiz]

With his dogs in attendance he set out and made a careful tour of inspection of the farm buildings, the other animals following at a respectful distance.

• With: accompanied by; in the company of [wɪθ]
• his: belonging to Napoleon [hɪz]
• dogs: domesticated carnivorous mammals, often used for guarding or herding [dɔgz]
• in attendance: present and ready to assist or serve [ɪn əˈtɛndəns]
• he: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• set out: began a journey or course of action [sɛt aʊt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• made: performed the action of [meɪd]
• a careful tour: a detailed and thorough inspection or examination [ə ˈkɛrfəl tʊr]
• of inspection: the act of examining or reviewing something [əv ˌɪnˈspɛkʃən]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the farm buildings: the structures on a farm, such as barns, sheds, and houses [ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• the other animals: the remaining animals on the farm, excluding Napoleon and his dogs [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• following: going or coming after in the same direction [ˈfɑloʊɪŋ]
• at: expressing location or position [æt]
• a respectful distance: a distance that shows deference or politeness [ə rɪˈspɛktfəl ˈdɪstəns]

At every few steps Napoleon stopped and snuffed the ground for traces of Snowball's footsteps, which, he said, he could detect by the smell.

• At: expressing location or position in time or space [æt]
• every few steps: after a short interval of walking [ˈɛvəri fju stɛps]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• stopped: ceased moving or acting [stɑpt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• snuffed: smelled or sniffed audibly and vigorously [snəft]
• the ground: the surface of the earth [ðə graʊnd]
• for: indicating the purpose or reason for something [fər]
• traces: signs or indications of something [ˈtreɪsɪz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• Snowball's: possessive form of 'Snowball', indicating something belonging to or associated with Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• footsteps: the marks left by feet [ˈfʊtˌstɛps]
• which: referring to the footsteps [wɪʧ]
• he: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• he: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• could: expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]
• detect: discover or identify something [dɪˈtɛkt]
• by: indicating the means or agent [baɪ]
• the smell: the odor or scent [ðə smɛl]

He snuffed in every comer, in the barn, in the cowshed, in the henhouses, in the vegetable garden, and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere.

• He: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• snuffed: smelled or sniffed audibly and vigorously [snəft]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• every: used to refer to all the individual members of a set without exception [ˈɛvəri]
• comer: grammatical error, should be 'corner' - a place where two or more sides or edges meet [ˈkəmər]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the barn: a large building used for storing farm products or livestock [ðə bɑrn]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the cowshed: a building for sheltering cows [ðə cowshed]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the henhouses: buildings for housing hens [ðə henhouses]
• in: expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the vegetable garden: a garden where vegetables are grown [ðə ˈvɛʤtəbəl ˈgɑrdən]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• found: discovered or came upon something [faʊnd]
• traces: signs or indications of something [ˈtreɪsɪz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• almost: nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• everywhere: in or to every place [ˈɛvriˌwɛr]

He would put his snout to the ground, give several deep sniffs and exclaim in a terrible voice, ‘Snowball!

• He: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• would: expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]
• put: move something to a specific location [pʊt]
• his: belonging to Napoleon [hɪz]
• snout: the projecting nose and mouth of an animal [snaʊt]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the ground: the surface of the earth [ðə graʊnd]
• give: perform the action of [gɪv]
• several: more than two but not many [ˈsɛvərəl]
• deep: extending far down or in [dip]
• sniffs: the act of smelling or sniffing [snɪfs]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• exclaim: cry out suddenly and vehemently [ɪkˈskleɪm]
• in: expressing manner or condition [ɪn]
• a terrible voice: a voice that is frightening or alarming [ə ˈtɛrəbəl vɔɪs]
• Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]

He has been here!

• He: referring to Snowball [hi]
• has been: indicates a past action that has relevance to the present [həz bɪn]
• here: in or at this place [hir]

I can smell him distinctly!’ and at the word ‘Snowball’ all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth.

• I: referring to Napoleon [aɪ]
• can: expressing ability or possibility [kən]
• smell: perceive or recognize by means of the sense organs in the nose [smɛl]
• him: referring to Snowball [ɪm]
• distinctly: clearly; unmistakably [dɪˈstɪŋktli]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• at: expressing time or location [æt]
• the word: a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing [ðə wərd]
• Snowball: referring to the character Snowball [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• all: the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]
• the dogs: referring to the dogs [ðə dɔgz]
• let out: emit or release something [lɛt aʊt]
• blood-curdling: causing great fear or horror [blood-curdling]
• growls: a low, guttural sound made by an animal, typically expressing aggression [graʊlz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• showed: allowed to be seen [ʃoʊd]
• their: belonging to the dogs [ðɛr]
• side teeth: the teeth located on the sides of the mouth, typically the canines and premolars [saɪd tiθ]