Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 52

They had won, but they were weary and bleeding.

• They: refers to a group of people or animals previously mentioned [ðeɪ]
• had won: indicates that they were victorious in a past event [hæd wən]
• but: a conjunction indicating a contrast or exception [bət]
• they: refers to the same group as in 'They had won' [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of 'to be', linking the subject to the following adjectives [wər]
• weary: feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of exertion or lack of sleep [ˈwɪri]
• and: a conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• bleeding: losing blood; injured [ˈblidɪŋ]

Slowly they began to limp back towards the farm.

• Slowly: at a slow pace; gradually [sˈloʊli]
• they: refers to the same group as before [ðeɪ]
• began: started to do something [bɪˈgæn]
• to limp: to walk with difficulty, typically because of injury or stiffness [tɪ lɪmp]
• back: towards the place or direction previously mentioned [bæk]
• towards: in the direction of [təˈwɔrdz]
• the farm: a piece of land used for growing crops or raising animals [ðə fɑrm]

The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears.

• The sight: the act of seeing something [ðə saɪt]
• of: preposition indicating possession or association [əv]
• their: belonging to or associated with them [ðɛr]
• dead: no longer alive [dɛd]
• comrades: fellow soldiers or companions [ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• stretched: extended or spread out [strɛʧt]
• upon: on top of [əˈpɑn]
• the grass: a common type of green plant covering the ground [ðə græs]
• moved: caused a strong emotional response [muvd]
• some: an unspecified number or quantity [səm]
• of them: from the group previously mentioned [əv ðɛm]
• to tears: to the point of crying [tɪ tɪrz]

And for a little while they halted in sorrowful silence at the place where the windmill had once stood.

• And: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• for: indicating a duration or purpose [fər]
• a little while: a short period of time [ə ˈlɪtəl waɪl]
• they: refers to the same group as before [ðeɪ]
• halted: stopped; paused [ˈhɔltɪd]
• in: indicating location or state [ɪn]
• sorrowful: feeling or expressing sorrow or sadness [ˈsɑroʊfəl]
• silence: the absence of sound [ˈsaɪləns]
• at: indicating a specific location or time [æt]
• the place: a particular location or area [ðə pleɪs]
• where: at or in which [wɛr]
• the windmill: a structure with sails that are turned by the wind to generate power [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• had once stood: used to be located in the past [hæd wəns stʊd]

Yes, it was gone, almost the last trace of their labour was gone!

• Yes: affirmative response [jɛs]
• it: refers to the windmill [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• gone: no longer present; disappeared [gɔn]
• almost: nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• the last: the final one [ðə læst]
• trace: a visible mark or sign of something [treɪs]
• of: indicating origin or association [əv]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• labour: hard work; effort [ˈleɪbər]
• was gone: had disappeared [wɑz gɔn]

Even the foundations were partially destroyed.

• Even: used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• the foundations: the base or groundwork of a building [ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃənz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• partially: only in part; not completely [ˈpɑrʃəli]
• destroyed: ruined or damaged beyond repair [dɪˈstrɔɪd]

And in rebuilding it they could not this time, as before, make use of the fallen stones.

• And: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• in: indicating involvement or means [ɪn]
• rebuilding: the act of constructing again [riˈbɪldɪŋ]
• it: refers to the windmill [ɪt]
• they: refers to the same group as before [ðeɪ]
• could not: were unable to [kʊd nɑt]
• this time: on this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• before: previously; in the past [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• make use: utilize [meɪk juz]
• of: indicating the material or content [əv]
• the fallen stones: stones that had collapsed or fallen down [ðə ˈfɑlən stoʊnz]

This time the stones had vanished too.

• This time: on this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]
• the stones: individual pieces of rock [ðə stoʊnz]
• had vanished: had disappeared completely [hæd ˈvænɪʃt]
• too: also; in addition [tu]

The force of the explosion had flung them to distances of hundreds of yards.

• The force: strength or power [ðə fɔrs]
• of: indicating origin or association [əv]
• the explosion: a violent burst or shattering caused by rapid expansion of gases [ðə ɪkˈsploʊʒən]
• had flung: had thrown with great force [hæd fləŋ]
• them: refers to the stones [ðɛm]
• to: indicating direction or extent [tɪ]
• distances: the amount of space between two places or things [ˈdɪstənsɪz]
• of: indicating measurement [əv]
• hundreds: plural of hundred [ˈhənərdz]
• of yards: a unit of length, equal to 3 feet or 0.9144 meters [əv jɑrdz]

It was as though the windmill had never been.

• It: refers to the situation [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• as though: as if; in a way that suggests [ɛz ðoʊ]
• the windmill: a structure with sails that are turned by the wind to generate power [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• had never been: had not existed at any time in the past [hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn]

As they approached the farm Squealer, who had unaccountably been absent during the fighting, came skipping towards them, whisking his tail and beaming with satisfaction.

• As: conjunction used to indicate when or while something is happening [ɛz]
• they: pronoun referring to a group of people or animals previously mentioned [ðeɪ]
• approached: verb meaning to come near or nearer to someone or something in distance or time [əˈproʊʧt]
• the farm: a piece of land used for growing crops or raising animals [ðə fɑrm]
• Squealer: name of a character [squealer]
• who had unaccountably been absent during the fighting: relative clause providing additional information about Squealer; 'unaccountably' means in a way that cannot be explained; 'absent' means not present; 'during the fighting' indicates the time when he was not present [ hu hæd ˌənəˈkaʊntəbli bɪn ˈæbsənt ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə ˈfaɪtɪŋ]
• came: verb meaning to move or travel towards a place [keɪm]
• skipping: verb meaning to move along lightly, stepping from one foot to the other with a hop or bounce [ˈskɪpɪŋ]
• towards: preposition indicating direction [təˈwɔrdz]
• them: pronoun referring to the group approaching [ðɛm]
• whisking: verb meaning to move quickly and lightly [ whisking]
• his tail: the rear appendage of an animal [hɪz teɪl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• beaming: verb meaning to smile radiantly [ˈbimɪŋ]
• with satisfaction: feeling of pleasure or contentment [wɪθ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən]

And the animals heard, from the direction of the farm buildings, the solemn booming of a gun.

• And: conjunction used to introduce a further statement or idea [ənd]
• the animals: plural noun referring to the creatures on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• heard: verb meaning to perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something [hərd]
• from the direction of the farm buildings: prepositional phrase indicating the origin of the sound [ frəm ðə dɪˈrɛkʃɪn əv ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• the solemn booming: adjective 'solemn' means formal and dignified; 'booming' refers to a deep, resonant sound [ðə ˈsɑləm ˈbumɪŋ]
• of a gun: a firearm that discharges a projectile [əv ə gən]

‘What is that gun firing for?’ said Boxer.

• What: interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [‘‘what]
• is: verb 'to be' in the present tense [ɪz]
• that gun: a firearm [ðət gən]
• firing: the act of discharging a firearm [ˈfaɪərrɪŋ]
• for: preposition indicating purpose or reason [fər]
• said: verb indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Boxer: name of a character [ˈbɑksər]

‘To celebrate our victory!’ cried Squealer.

• To: preposition indicating direction or purpose [‘‘to]
• celebrate: verb meaning to mark a special occasion or event with festivities [ˈsɛləˌbreɪt]
• our victory: the act of winning a battle or competition [ɑr ˈvɪktəri]
• cried: verb meaning to shout or exclaim loudly [kraɪd]
• Squealer: name of a character [squealer]

‘What victory?’ said Boxer.

• What: interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [‘‘what]
• victory: the act of winning a battle or competition [ˈvɪktəri]
• said: verb indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Boxer: name of a character [ˈbɑksər]

His knees were bleeding, he had lost a shoe and split his hoof, and a dozen pellets had lodged themselves in his hind leg.

• His knees: the joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans [hɪz niz]
• were bleeding: to emit blood [wər ˈblidɪŋ]
• he: pronoun referring to Boxer [ hi]
• had lost: to come to be without something [hæd lɔst]
• a shoe: an outer covering for the foot [ə ʃu]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• split: to divide or cause to divide along a line or lines [splɪt]
• his hoof: the horny part of the foot of an ungulate animal [hɪz huf]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ ənd]
• a dozen: a group of twelve [ə ˈdəzən]
• pellets: a small, rounded, compressed mass of a substance [ˈpɛləts]
• had lodged: to become embedded or stuck [hæd lɑʤd]
• themselves: reflexive pronoun [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• in his hind leg: the back leg [ɪn hɪz haɪnd lɛg]

‘What victory, comrade?

• What: interrogative pronoun used to ask for specific information [‘‘what]
• victory: the act of winning a battle or competition [ˈvɪktəri]
• comrade: a fellow soldier or friend [ ˈkɑmˌræd]

‘But they have destroyed the windmill.

• But: Conjunction indicating contrast or disagreement [‘‘but]
• they: Refers to a group of people or entities previously mentioned [ðeɪ]
• have destroyed: Present perfect tense indicating a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present [hæv dɪˈstrɔɪd]
• the windmill: A structure or machine that uses wind power to generate energy or grind grain [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

‘What matter?

• What matter: An expression indicating that something is not important or significant [‘‘what ˈmætər]

We will build another windmill.

• We: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• will build: Future tense indicating a planned action [wɪl bɪld]
• another windmill: An additional windmill [əˈnəðər ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

We will build six windmills if we feel like it.

• We: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• will build: Future tense indicating a planned action [wɪl bɪld]
• six windmills: A specific number of windmills [sɪks ˈwɪndˌmɪlz]
• if: Conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• we: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• feel like it: An expression indicating a desire or inclination to do something [fil laɪk ɪt]

You do not appreciate, comrade, the mighty thing that we have done.

• You: Pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]
• do not appreciate: Negative form of 'appreciate', indicating a lack of understanding or gratitude [du nɑt əˈpriʃiˌeɪt]
• comrade: A term used to address a fellow member of a socialist or communist group [ˈkɑmˌræd]
• the mighty thing: Referring to a significant achievement or accomplishment [ðə ˈmaɪti θɪŋ]
• that: Relative pronoun introducing a clause [ðət]
• we: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• have done: Present perfect tense indicating a completed action [hæv dən]

The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon.

• The enemy: Refers to an opposing force or group [ðə ˈɛnəmi]
• was in occupation: Past tense indicating that the enemy controlled or inhabited a place [wɑz ɪn ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən]
• of this very ground: Referring to the specific area of land being discussed [əv ðɪs ˈvɛri graʊnd]
• that: Relative pronoun introducing a clause [ðət]
• we: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• stand upon: The ground where they are currently standing [stænd əˈpɑn]

‘Then we have won back what we had before,’ said Boxer.

• Then: Adverb indicating a consequence or conclusion [‘‘then]
• we: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• have won back: Present perfect tense indicating the recovery of something [hæv wən bæk]
• what: Pronoun referring to something previously possessed [wət]
• we: Pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• had: Auxiliary verb indicating past possession [hæd]
• before: Referring to a previous state or condition [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• said: Verb indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Boxer: The name of the character who is speaking [ˈbɑksər]

‘That is our victory,’ said Squealer.

• That: Pronoun referring to something previously mentioned [‘‘that]
• is: Verb 'to be' indicating a state or condition [ɪz]
• our victory: Referring to a successful outcome or achievement [ɑr ˈvɪktəri]
• said: Verb indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Squealer: The name of the character who is speaking [squealer]

They limped into the yard.

• They: Refers to a group of people or animals previously mentioned [ðeɪ]
• limped: Walked with difficulty, typically because of injury [lɪmpt]
• into: Preposition indicating movement towards the inside of something [ˈɪntu]
• the yard: An enclosed area surrounding a building [ðə jɑrd]

The pellets under the skin of Boxer's leg smarted painfully.

• The pellets: Small, hard balls or pieces of a substance [ðə ˈpɛləts]
• under: Preposition indicating a position below something [ˈəndər]
• the skin: The outer layer of tissue covering the body [ðə skɪn]
• of Boxer's leg: Referring to the leg of the character named Boxer [əv ˈbɑksərz lɛg]
• smarted: Felt a sharp, stinging pain [sˈmɑrtəd]
• painfully: In a manner that causes pain [ˈpeɪnfəli]

He saw ahead of him the heavy labour of rebuilding the windmill from the foundations, and already in imagination he braced himself for the task.

• He: Pronoun referring to Boxer [hi]
• saw: Past tense of 'see', indicating visual perception [sɔ]
• ahead of him: In front of him, in the future [əˈhɛd əv ɪm]
• the heavy labour: Difficult and strenuous work [ðə ˈhɛvi ˈleɪbər]
• of rebuilding: The act of constructing something again [əv riˈbɪldɪŋ]
• the windmill: A structure or machine that uses wind power [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• from the foundations: Starting from the base or beginning [frəm ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃənz]
• and: Conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• already: Before the expected time [ɔˈrɛdi]
• in imagination: In his mind, as a mental image [ɪn ˌɪˌmæʤəˈneɪʃən]
• he: Pronoun referring to Boxer [hi]
• braced himself: Prepared himself mentally or physically [breɪst hɪmˈsɛlf]
• for the task: For the job or duty to be done [fər ðə tæsk]

But for the first time it occurred to him that he was eleven years old and that perhaps his great muscles were not quite what they had once been.

• But: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• for the first time: Previously not experienced [fər ðə fərst taɪm]
• it occurred to him: He realized or thought of something [ɪt əˈkərd tɪ ɪm]
• that: Conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• he: Pronoun referring to Boxer [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• eleven years old: The age of Boxer [ˈilɛvən jɪrz oʊld]
• and: Conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• that: Conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• perhaps: Possibly, maybe [pərˈhæps]
• his great muscles: His strong and powerful muscles [hɪz greɪt ˈməsəlz]
• were not quite: Not exactly or entirely [wər nɑt kwaɪt]
• what they had once been: Not as strong or capable as they were in the past [wət ðeɪ hæd wəns bɪn]