Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 43

The three hens who had been the ringleaders in the attempted rebellion over the eggs now came forward and stated that Snowball had appeared to them in a dream and incited them to disobey Napoleon's orders.

• The: Definite article, referring to specific hens [ðə]
• three hens: A group of three female chickens [θri hɛnz]
• who: Relative pronoun, referring to the three hens [hu]
• had been: Past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed before another past action [hæd bɪn]
• the ringleaders: The leaders or instigators of a rebellion or other activity [ðə ˈrɪŋˌlidərz]
• in: Preposition indicating involvement or participation [ɪn]
• the attempted rebellion: A rebellion that was tried but did not succeed [ðə əˈtɛmptəd rɪˈbɛljən]
• over: Preposition indicating the subject of the rebellion [ˈoʊvər]
• the eggs: Plural of 'egg', referring to the eggs that were the subject of the rebellion [ðə ɛgz]
• now: Adverb indicating that the action is happening at the present time [naʊ]
• came forward: Voluntarily presented themselves or offered information [keɪm ˈfɔrwərd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• stated: Declared or announced something formally or clearly [ˈsteɪtɪd]
• that: Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Snowball: A character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• had appeared: Past perfect tense of 'to appear', indicating that Snowball appeared before another past action [hæd əˈpɪrd]
• to them: Preposition 'to' followed by the pronoun 'them', referring to the three hens [tɪ ðɛm]
• in a dream: During a dream [ɪn ə drim]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• incited: Encouraged or urged someone to do something, often something negative [ˌɪnˈsaɪtɪd]
• them: Pronoun referring to the three hens [ðɛm]
• to disobey: To refuse to obey or follow orders [tɪ ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ]
• Napoleon's: Possessive form of 'Napoleon', indicating that the orders belong to Napoleon [nəˈpoʊliənz]
• orders: Instructions or commands given by someone in authority [ˈɔrdərz]

They too were slaughtered.

• They: Pronoun referring to the three hens [ðeɪ]
• too: Also; in addition [tu]
• were slaughtered: Were killed, usually in a violent way [wər sˈlɔtərd]

Then a goose came forward and confessed to having secreted six ears of corn during the last year's harvest and eaten them in the night.

• Then: Adverb indicating sequence or time [ðɛn]
• a goose: A single goose, a type of bird [ə gus]
• came forward: Voluntarily presented themselves or offered information [keɪm ˈfɔrwərd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• confessed: Admitted to doing something wrong or illegal [kənˈfɛst]
• to having secreted: To having hidden something away [tɪ ˈhævɪŋ səˈkritəd]
• six ears of corn: Six pieces of corn on the cob [sɪks ɪrz əv kɔrn]
• during: Preposition indicating the time when something happened [ˈdʊrɪŋ]
• the last year's harvest: The harvest from the previous year [ðə læst jɪrz ˈhɑrvəst]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• eaten: Past participle of 'eat', meaning to have consumed food [ˈitən]
• them: Pronoun referring to the six ears of corn [ðɛm]
• in the night: During the night [ɪn ðə naɪt]

Then a sheep confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool-urged to do this, so she said, by Snowball – and two other sheep confessed to having murdered an old ram, an especially devoted follower of Napoleon, by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough.

• Then: Adverb indicating sequence or time [ðɛn]
• a sheep: A single sheep, a type of animal [ə ʃip]
• confessed: Admitted to doing something wrong or illegal [kənˈfɛst]
• to having urinated: To having discharged urine [tɪ ˈhævɪŋ urinated]
• in: Preposition indicating location [ɪn]
• the drinking pool: A pool of water used for drinking [ðə ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ pul]
• urged: Strongly encouraged or persuaded [ərʤd]
• to do this: To perform this action [tɪ du ðɪs]
• so she said: According to her statement [soʊ ʃi sɛd]
• by Snowball: By the influence or instruction of Snowball [baɪ sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• two other sheep: Two additional sheep [tu ˈəðər ʃip]
• confessed: Admitted to doing something wrong or illegal [kənˈfɛst]
• to having murdered: To having intentionally killed someone [tɪ ˈhævɪŋ ˈmərdərd]
• an old ram: An elderly male sheep [ən oʊld ræm]
• an especially devoted follower: A follower who is particularly dedicated and loyal [ən əˈspɛʃəli dɪˈvoʊtɪd ˈfɑloʊər]
• of Napoleon: Belonging to or associated with Napoleon [əv nəˈpoʊljən]
• by chasing: By running after someone or something [baɪ ˈʧeɪsɪŋ]
• him: Pronoun referring to the old ram [ɪm]
• round and round: In a circular motion repeatedly [raʊnd ənd raʊnd]
• a bonfire: A large fire built outdoors [ə ˈbɑnˌfaɪər]
• when: Conjunction indicating the time when something happened [wɪn]
• he: Pronoun referring to the old ram [hi]
• was suffering: Was experiencing pain or distress [wɑz ˈsəfərɪŋ]
• from a cough: From a respiratory ailment [frəm ə kɔf]

They were all slain on the spot.

• They: Pronoun referring to the two other sheep [ðeɪ]
• were all slain: Were all killed, usually in a violent way [wər ɔl sleɪn]
• on the spot: Immediately; at that location [ɔn ðə spɑt]

And so the tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.

• And: Conjunction connecting two sentences or clauses [ənd]
• so: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• the tale: A story or account [ðə teɪl]
• of confessions: Of admitting to wrongdoing [əv kənˈfɛʃənz]
• and: Conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• executions: The act of putting someone to death [ˌɛksəˈkjuʃənz]
• went on: Continued; proceeded [wɛnt ɔn]
• until: Up to the point in time when [ənˈtɪl]
• there was: There existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• a pile of corpses: A heap of dead bodies [ə paɪl əv ˈkɔrpsɪz]
• lying: Resting or positioned horizontally [laɪɪŋ]
• before: In front of [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• Napoleon's: Possessive form of 'Napoleon', indicating that the feet belong to Napoleon [nəˈpoʊliənz]
• feet: Plural of 'foot', the body part [fit]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the air: The atmosphere [ðə ɛr]
• was heavy: Was dense or thick [wɑz ˈhɛvi]
• with: Preposition indicating the presence of something [wɪθ]
• the smell of blood: The odor of blood [ðə smɛl əv bləd]
• which: Relative pronoun, referring to the smell of blood [wɪʧ]
• had been unknown: Had not been experienced or known [hæd bɪn ənˈnoʊn]
• there: In that place [ðɛr]
• since: From the time that [sɪns]
• the expulsion of Jones: The act of forcing Jones out of a place [ðə ɪkˈspəlʃən əv ʤoʊnz]

When it was all over, the remaining animals, except for the pigs and dogs, crept away in a body.

• When: conjunction used to indicate a point in time [wɪn]
• it: pronoun referring to a specific event or situation [ɪt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• all: adjective meaning completely [ɔl]
• over: adjective meaning finished or completed [ˈoʊvər]
• the remaining animals: the animals that were left after a certain event [ðə rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ˈænəməlz]
• except: excluding [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• for: preposition indicating exclusion [fər]
• the pigs and dogs: specific animals that are being excluded [ðə pɪgz ənd dɔgz]
• crept: moved slowly and carefully in order to avoid being noticed [krɛpt]
• away: to or at a distance from a particular place or person [əˈweɪ]
• in a body: as a group; all together [ɪn ə ˈbɑdi]

They were shaken and miserable.

• They: pronoun referring to the remaining animals [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• shaken: emotionally upset or disturbed [ˈʃeɪkən]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• miserable: extremely unhappy or uncomfortable [ˈmɪzərəbəl]

They did not know which was more shocking – the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball, or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed.

• They: pronoun referring to the remaining animals [ðeɪ]
• did: auxiliary verb used to form the past tense or to emphasize a verb [dɪd]
• not: used to negate a verb [nɑt]
• know: to be aware of something [noʊ]
• which: used to ask for information specifying one or more things from a definite set [wɪʧ]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• more: a greater amount or degree of something [mɔr]
• shocking: causing great surprise, disgust, or outrage [ˈʃɑkɪŋ]
• the treachery: betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature [ðə ˈtrɛʧəri]
• of the animals: referring to the animals who betrayed others [əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• who: pronoun referring to the animals [hu]
• had leagued: had formed an alliance or conspiracy [hæd leagued]
• themselves: reflexive pronoun referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• with: in the company of; alongside [wɪθ]
• Snowball: name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• or: conjunction used to link alternatives [ər]
• the cruel retribution: severe punishment or vengeance [ðə kruəl ˌrɛtrəˈbjuʃən]
• they: pronoun referring to the remaining animals [ðeɪ]
• had: auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]
• just: very recently; at this moment [ʤɪst]
• witnessed: saw something happen [ˈwɪtnəst]

In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible, but it seemed to all of them that it was far worse now that it was happening among themselves.

• In: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the old days: a time in the past [ðə oʊld deɪz]
• there: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• had: auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]
• often: frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]
• been: past participle of the verb 'to be' [bɪn]
• scenes of bloodshed: instances of violence and killing [sinz əv ˈblədˌʃɛd]
• equally: to the same degree; in a similar way [ˈikwəli]
• terrible: extremely bad or serious [ˈtɛrəbəl]
• but: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• it: pronoun referring to a situation or event [ɪt]
• seemed: gave the impression of being [simd]
• to all of them: to every one of the animals [tɪ ɔl əv ðɛm]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it: pronoun referring to a situation or event [ɪt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• far: by a great margin [fɑr]
• worse: of poorer quality or lower standard [wərs]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it: pronoun referring to a situation or event [ɪt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• happening: taking place; occurring [ˈhæpənɪŋ]
• among: surrounded by; in the middle of [əˈməŋ]
• themselves: reflexive pronoun referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]

Since Jones had left the farm, until today, no animal had killed another animal.

• Since: from a time in the past until the present [sɪns]
• Jones: name of a character [ʤoʊnz]
• had: auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]
• left: gone away from [lɛft]
• the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]
• until: up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]
• today: the current day [təˈdeɪ]
• no animal: not a single animal [noʊ ˈænəməl]
• had killed: had caused the death of [hæd kɪld]
• another animal: a different animal [əˈnəðər ˈænəməl]

Not even a rat had been killed.

• Not: used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• even: used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising [ˈivɪn]
• a rat: a rodent [ə ræt]
• had been killed: had been caused to die [hæd bɪn kɪld]

They had made their way onto the little knoll where the half-finished windmill stood, and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth – Clover, Muriel, Benjamin, the cows, the sheep and a whole flock of geese and hens-every one, indeed, except the cat, who had suddenly disappeared just before Napoleon ordered the animals to assemble.

• They: pronoun referring to the remaining animals [ðeɪ]
• had made: had progressed or advanced [hæd meɪd]
• their way: the route or path they took [ðɛr weɪ]
• onto: moving to a position on a surface [ˈɔntu]
• the little knoll: a small hill or mound [ðə ˈlɪtəl noʊl]
• where: at or in which place [wɛr]
• the half-finished windmill: a windmill that was partially built [ðə half-finished ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• stood: was located; was in a standing position [stʊd]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• with one accord: in complete agreement; unanimously [wɪθ wən əˈkɔrd]
• they: pronoun referring to the remaining animals [ðeɪ]
• all: every one of a group [ɔl]
• lay down: rested in a horizontal position [leɪ daʊn]
• as though: as if; in a way that suggests [ɛz ðoʊ]
• huddling: crowding together; nestling closely [ˈhədəlɪŋ]
• together: in close proximity; with each other [təˈgɛðər]
• for warmth: to gain heat and comfort [fər wɔrmθ]
• Clover: name of a character [ˈkloʊvər]
• Muriel: name of a character [mˈjʊriəl]
• Benjamin: name of a character [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• the cows: female bovine animals [ðə kaʊz]
• the sheep: woolly ruminant mammals [ðə ʃip]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• a whole flock: a large group of birds [ə hoʊl flɑk]
• of geese: plural of goose, a large waterbird [əv gis]
• and hens: female chickens [ənd hɛnz]
• every one: each individual [ˈɛvəri wən]
• indeed: in truth; in fact [ˌɪnˈdid]
• except: excluding [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• the cat: a feline animal [ðə kæt]
• who: pronoun referring to the cat [hu]
• had suddenly disappeared: had vanished unexpectedly [hæd ˈsədənli ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]
• just: exactly at the moment [ʤɪst]
• before: earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• Napoleon: name of a character [nəˈpoʊljən]
• ordered: gave an instruction or command [ˈɔrdərd]
• the animals: referring to all the animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• to assemble: to gather together in one place [tɪ əˈsɛmbəl]

For some time nobody spoke.

• For: used to indicate the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• some time: a period of time [səm taɪm]
• nobody: no person [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• spoke: uttered words [spoʊk]

Only Boxer remained on his feet.

• Only: and no one or nothing more besides [ˈoʊnli]
• Boxer: name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
• remained: continued to be in a particular state or condition [rɪˈmeɪnd]
• on his feet: standing up [ɔn hɪz fit]

He fidgeted to and fro, swishing his long black tail against his sides and occasionally uttering a little whinny of surprise.

• He: pronoun referring to Boxer [hi]
• fidgeted: made small movements, especially of the hands and feet, because of nervousness or impatience [fidgeted]
• to and fro: backwards and forwards [tɪ ənd froʊ]
• swishing: moving quickly through the air with a whistling or hissing sound [swishing]
• his long black tail: referring to Boxer's tail [hɪz lɔŋ blæk teɪl]
• against: in opposition to; touching [əˈgɛnst]
• his sides: the sides of his body [hɪz saɪdz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• occasionally: sometimes but not often [ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli]
• uttering: making a sound [ˈətərɪŋ]
• a little whinny: a soft, gentle neigh [ə ˈlɪtəl whinny]
• of surprise: the feeling caused by something unexpected [əv səˈpraɪz]