Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 40

The animals were thoroughly frightened.

• The animals: referring to a group of non-human creatures [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [wər]
• thoroughly: completely; utterly [ˈθəroʊli]
• frightened: filled with fear; scared [ˈfraɪtənd]

It seemed to them as though Snowball were some kind of invisible influence, pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers.

• It: referring to the situation or the feeling among the animals [ɪt]
• seemed: appeared to be; gave the impression of being [simd]
• to them: in their perception or understanding [tɪ ðɛm]
• as though: as if; in a way that suggests [ɛz ðoʊ]
• Snowball: a character's name, likely an animal in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• were: past subjunctive of 'to be', used to express a hypothetical situation [wər]
• some kind of: a certain type of; a particular sort of [səm kaɪnd əv]
• invisible: not able to be seen [ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl]
• influence: the power to affect someone or something [ˈɪnfluəns]
• pervading: spreading throughout; permeating [pərˈveɪdɪŋ]
• the air: the atmosphere; the space around them [ðə ɛr]
• about them: surrounding them [əˈbaʊt ðɛm]
• and: connecting two related ideas [ənd]
• menacing: threatening; posing a danger [ˈmɛnəsɪŋ]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• with: indicating the means or instrument [wɪθ]
• all kinds of: various types of; a wide range of [ɔl kaɪnz əv]
• dangers: things that can cause harm or injury [ˈdeɪnʤərz]

In the evening Squealer called them together, and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report.

• In the evening: during the later part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]
• Squealer: a character's name, likely an animal in the story [squealer]
• called: summoned; gathered [kɔld]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• together: into a group; in one place [təˈgɛðər]
• and: connecting two related actions [ənd]
• with: showing accompaniment or possession [wɪθ]
• an alarmed: showing fear or concern [ən əˈlɑrmd]
• expression: a look on someone's face [ɪkˈsprɛʃən]
• on his face: referring to Squealer's facial expression [ɔn hɪz feɪs]
• told: informed; communicated [toʊld]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• he: referring to Squealer [hi]
• had: auxiliary verb indicating past perfect tense [hæd]
• some: a certain amount of [səm]
• serious: important; grave [ˈsɪriəs]
• news: new information [nuz]
• to report: to communicate; to announce [tɪ rɪˈpɔrt]

‘Comrades!’ cried Squealer, making little nervous skips, ‘a most terrible thing has been discovered.

• Comrades: A term used to address a group, implying fellowship and shared goals [‘‘comrades]
• cried: Exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]
• Squealer: A character's name [squealer]
• making: Performing [ˈmeɪkɪŋ]
• little: Small [ˈlɪtəl]
• nervous: Anxious or agitated [ˈnərvəs]
• skips: Light, hopping movements [skɪps]
• a most terrible thing: An extremely awful event [ə moʊst ˈtɛrəbəl θɪŋ]
• has been discovered: Has been found out [həz bɪn dɪˈskəvərd]

Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm, who is even now plotting to attack us and take our farm away from us!

• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• has sold himself: Has betrayed his own principles or group [həz soʊld hɪmˈsɛlf]
• to Frederick: To a character named Frederick [tɪ ˈfrɛdərɪk]
• of Pinchfield Farm: From a specific farm named Pinchfield [əv pinchfield fɑrm]
• who: Referring to Frederick [hu]
• is: Present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• even now: At this very moment [ˈivɪn naʊ]
• plotting: Secretly planning something harmful [ˈplɑtɪŋ]
• to attack: To launch an assault [tɪ əˈtæk]
• us: The speaker and their group [ˈjuˈɛs]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• take: Seize [teɪk]
• our farm: The farm belonging to the speaker and their group [ɑr fɑrm]
• away from us: From our possession [əˈweɪ frəm ˈjuˈɛs]

Snowball is to act as his guide when the attack begins.

• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• is to act: Will function [ɪz tɪ ækt]
• as his guide: As Frederick's advisor or leader [ɛz hɪz gaɪd]
• when the attack begins: At the start of the assault [wɪn ðə əˈtæk bɪˈgɪnz]

But there is worse than that.

• But: However [bət]
• there is worse than that: There is something even more terrible [ðɛr ɪz wərs ðən ðət]

We had thought that Snowball's rebellion was caused simply by his vanity and ambition.

• We: The speaker and their group [wi]
• had thought: Previously believed [hæd θɔt]
• that Snowball's rebellion: That Snowball's act of defiance [ðət sˈnoʊˌbɔlz rɪˈbɛljən]
• was caused: Was brought about [wɑz kɔzd]
• simply: Merely [ˈsɪmpli]
• by his vanity: By his excessive pride [baɪ hɪz ˈvænɪti]
• and ambition: And strong desire for success [ənd æmˈbɪʃən]

But we were wrong, comrades.

• But: However [bət]
• we were wrong: Our belief was incorrect [wi wər rɔŋ]
• comrades: A term used to address a group, implying fellowship and shared goals [ˈkɑmˌrædz]

Do you know what the real reason was?

• Do you know: Are you aware [du ju noʊ]
• what the real reason was: The actual cause was [wət ðə ril ˈrizən wɑz]

Snowball was in league with Jones from the very start!

• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was in league: Was secretly allied [wɑz ɪn lig]
• with Jones: With a character named Jones [wɪθ ʤoʊnz]
• from the very start: From the beginning [frəm ðə ˈvɛri stɑrt]

He was Jones's secret agent all the time.

• He: Referring to Snowball [hi]
• was Jones's secret agent: Was Jones's undercover operative [wɑz ˈʤoʊnzɪz ˈsikrɪt ˈeɪʤənt]
• all the time: Throughout the entire period [ɔl ðə taɪm]

It has all been proved by documents which he left behind him and which we have only just discovered.

• It has all been proved: Everything has been demonstrated [ɪt həz ɔl bɪn pruvd]
• by documents: Through written records [baɪ ˈdɑkjəmənts]
• which he left behind him: That he abandoned [wɪʧ hi lɛft bɪˈhaɪnd ɪm]
• and which we have only just discovered: And that we have recently found [ənd wɪʧ wi hæv ˈoʊnli ʤɪst dɪˈskəvərd]

To my mind this explains a great deal, comrades.

• To my mind: In my opinion [tɪ maɪ maɪnd]
• this explains a great deal: This clarifies many things [ðɪs ɪkˈspleɪnz ə greɪt dil]
• comrades: A term used to address a group, implying fellowship and shared goals [ˈkɑmˌrædz]

The animals were stupefied.

• The: Definite article, referring to specific animals previously mentioned or understood in context [ðə]
• animals: Living creatures that are not human, often used to refer to farm animals in this context [ˈænəməlz]
• were: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wər]
• stupefied: Astonished, shocked, or dazed to the point of being unable to think clearly [stupefied]

This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball's destruction of the windmill.

• This: Pronoun referring to the situation or event that caused the animals' stupefaction [ðɪs]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', linking 'this' to the description that follows [wɑz]
• a wickedness: An act or behavior that is morally wrong or evil [ə ˈwɪkədnəs]
• far: To a great extent or degree [fɑr]
• outdoing: Surpassing or exceeding in performance or action [ˌaʊtˈduɪŋ]
• Snowball's: Possessive form of 'Snowball', referring to an action or characteristic associated with him [sˈnoʊˌbɔlz]
• destruction: The act of ruining or completely damaging something [dɪˈstrəkʃən]
• of: Preposition indicating what is being destroyed [əv]
• the windmill: A structure with vanes that turn in the wind, used to generate power or grind grain [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in.

• But: Conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• it: Pronoun referring to the situation or realization [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• some minutes: A period of time consisting of several minutes [səm ˈmɪnəts]
• before: Preposition indicating the time preceding an event [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• they: Pronoun referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• could: Past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]
• fully: Completely or entirely [ˈfʊli]
• take it in: To understand or comprehend something, often something surprising or difficult [teɪk ɪt ɪn]

They all remembered, or thought they remembered, how they had seen Snowball charging ahead of them at the Battle of the Cowshed, how he had rallied and encouraged them at every turn, and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back.

• They: Pronoun referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• all: Every one of them [ɔl]
• remembered: Recalled something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• or: Conjunction introducing an alternative [ər]
• thought: Held an opinion or belief [θɔt]
• they remembered: Recalled something from the past [ðeɪ rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• how: In what way or manner [haʊ]
• they: Pronoun referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• had seen: Past perfect tense of 'see', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæd sin]
• Snowball: Name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• charging: Rushing forward aggressively [ˈʧɑrʤɪŋ]
• ahead: In front [əˈhɛd]
• of: Preposition indicating position relative to something else [əv]
• them: Pronoun referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• at: Preposition indicating location or time [æt]
• the Battle of the Cowshed: Name of a specific battle [ðə ˈbætəl əv ðə cowshed]
• how: In what way or manner [haʊ]
• he: Pronoun referring to Snowball [hi]
• had rallied: Past perfect tense of 'rally', meaning to bring together for a common purpose [hæd ˈrælid]
• and: Conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• encouraged: Gave support, confidence, or hope to someone [ɪnˈkərəʤd]
• them: Pronoun referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• at: Preposition indicating location or time [æt]
• every turn: At each point or instance [ˈɛvəri tərn]
• and: Conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• how: In what way or manner [haʊ]
• he: Pronoun referring to Snowball [hi]
• had not paused: Past perfect tense of 'pause', meaning to stop temporarily [hæd nɑt pɔzd]
• for: Preposition indicating duration or reason [fər]
• an instant: A very short period of time [ən ˈɪnstənt]
• even: Used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising [ˈivɪn]
• when: Conjunction introducing a time clause [wɪn]
• the pellets: Small, hard balls of ammunition [ðə ˈpɛləts]
• from: Preposition indicating origin or source [frəm]
• Jones's: Possessive form of 'Jones', referring to something belonging to him [ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• gun: A firearm [gən]
• had wounded: Past perfect tense of 'wound', meaning to injure someone [hæd ˈwundɪd]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to Snowball [hɪz]
• back: The rear part of the body [bæk]

At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones's side.

• At: Preposition indicating a point in time or space [æt]
• first: Initially or in the beginning [fərst]
• it: Pronoun referring to the situation or idea [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', linking 'it' to the description that follows [wɑz]
• a little: Slightly or to a small degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• difficult: Needing effort or skill to accomplish [ˈdɪfəkəlt]
• to see: To understand or perceive [tɪ si]
• how: In what way or manner [haʊ]
• this: Pronoun referring to the current situation or information [ðɪs]
• fitted in: Was consistent or compatible with [ˈfɪtɪd ɪn]
• with: Preposition indicating association or connection [wɪθ]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to Snowball [hɪz]
• being: State of existence [biɪŋ]
• on: Preposition indicating position or support [ɔn]
• Jones's: Possessive form of 'Jones', indicating belonging to Jones [ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• side: A position or viewpoint in a conflict or dispute [saɪd]

Even Boxer, who seldom asked questions, was puzzled.

• Even: Used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising [ˈivɪn]
• Boxer: Name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
• who: Relative pronoun referring to Boxer [hu]
• seldom: Rarely or almost never [ˈsɛldəm]
• asked: Put a question to someone [æst]
• questions: Inquiries made to gain information [kˈwɛsʧənz]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• puzzled: Confused or unable to understand something [ˈpəzəld]

He lay down, tucked his fore hoofs beneath him, shut his eyes, and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts.

• He: Pronoun referring to Boxer [hi]
• lay down: Reclined or rested on the ground [leɪ daʊn]
• tucked: Folded or pushed the edges of something in order to secure it [təkt]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to Boxer [hɪz]
• fore hoofs: The front feet of an animal with hooves [fɔr hʊfs]
• beneath: Underneath or below [bɪˈniθ]
• him: Pronoun referring to Boxer [ɪm]
• shut: Closed [ʃət]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to Boxer [hɪz]
• eyes: Organs of sight [aɪz]
• and: Conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• with: Preposition indicating accompaniment or means [wɪθ]
• a hard: Requiring a lot of effort [ə hɑrd]
• effort: An attempt to do something [ˈɛfərt]
• managed: Succeeded in doing something [ˈmænɪʤd]
• to formulate: To express something clearly and precisely [tɪ ˈfɔrmjəˌleɪt]
• his: Possessive pronoun referring to Boxer [hɪz]
• thoughts: Ideas or opinions produced by thinking [θɔts]