Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 54

By the evening, however.

• By the evening: Indicates a time frame, specifically the end of the day [baɪ ðə ˈivnɪŋ]
• however: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been previously said [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]

Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better, and the following morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery.

• Napoleon: Refers to a specific character named Napoleon, likely a significant figure in the context [nəˈpoʊljən]
• appeared: Gave the impression of being [əˈpɪrd]
• to be: Used to connect 'appeared' with the state of being 'somewhat better' [tɪ bi]
• somewhat better: Slightly improved in health or condition [ˈsəmˈwət ˈbɛtər]
• and: A conjunction used to connect two related statements [ənd]
• the following morning: The morning after the evening mentioned earlier [ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• Squealer: Refers to a specific character named Squealer [squealer]
• was able to: Had the ability or opportunity to [wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ]
• tell them: Inform or communicate to a group of people [tɛl ðɛm]
• that: Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: Refers to Napoleon [hi]
• was well on the way: Making good progress [wɑz wɛl ɔn ðə weɪ]
• to recovery: Returning to a healthy state [tɪ rɪˈkəvəri]

By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work, and on the next day it was learned that he had instructed Whymper to purchase in Willingdon some booklets on brewing and distilling.

• By the evening of that day: Refers to the end of the same day mentioned earlier [baɪ ðə ˈivnɪŋ əv ðət deɪ]
• Napoleon: Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was back at work: Had returned to his duties or labor [wɑz bæk æt wərk]
• and: A conjunction used to connect two related statements [ənd]
• on the next day: The day after the day Napoleon returned to work [ɔn ðə nɛkst deɪ]
• it was learned: It became known or discovered [ɪt wɑz ˈlərnɪd]
• that: Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: Refers to Napoleon [hi]
• had instructed: Had given orders or directions to [hæd ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd]
• Whymper: Refers to a specific character named Whymper [whymper]
• to purchase: To buy something [tɪ ˈpərʧəs]
• in Willingdon: Indicates the location where the purchase should be made, specifically in a place called Willingdon [ɪn willingdon]
• some booklets: Multiple small books or pamphlets [səm ˈbʊklɪts]
• on brewing and distilling: Relating to the processes of making beer and spirits [ɔn bruɪŋ ənd dɪˈstɪlɪŋ]

A week later Napoleon gave orders that the small paddock beyond me orchard, which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for animals who were past work, was to be ploughed up.

• A week later: One week after the previous events [ə wik ˈleɪtər]
• Napoleon: Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• gave orders: Issued commands or instructions [geɪv ˈɔrdərz]
• that: Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the small paddock: A small enclosed area of grassland [ðə smɔl ˈpædək]
• which: Refers to the small paddock [wɪʧ]
• it had previously been intended: There was a prior plan or intention [ɪt hæd ˈpriviəsli bɪn ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]
• to set aside: To reserve or allocate for a specific purpose [tɪ sɛt əˈsaɪd]
• as a grazing-ground: An area of land used for animals to feed on grass [ɛz ə grazing-ground]
• for animals: For the use of creatures [fər ˈænəməlz]
• who were past work: Animals that were too old or unable to perform labor [hu wər pæst wərk]
• was to be ploughed up: Was to be turned over with a plow [wɑz tɪ bi plaʊd əp]

It was given out that the pasture was exhausted and needed re-seeding: but it soon became known that Napoleon intended to sow it with barley.

• It was given out: It was announced or stated [ɪt wɑz ˈgɪvɪn aʊt]
• that: Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the pasture: Land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals [ðə ˈpæsʧər]
• was exhausted: Had been depleted of nutrients or resources [wɑz ɪgˈzɔstɪd]
• and needed re-seeding: Required new seeds to be planted [ənd ˈnidɪd re-seeding]
• but: A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• it soon became known: It was quickly discovered [ɪt sun bɪˈkeɪm noʊn]
• that: Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Napoleon: Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• intended: Planned or purposed [ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]
• to sow it with barley: To plant barley seeds in the area [tɪ soʊ ɪt wɪθ ˈbɑrli]

About this time there occurred a strange incident which hardly anyone was able to understand.

• About this time: Around this particular moment or period [əˈbaʊt ðɪs taɪm]
• there occurred: an event happened or took place; a more formal way of saying 'happened' [ðɛr əˈkərd]
• a strange incident: an unusual or peculiar event [ə streɪnʤ ˈɪnsədənt]
• which hardly anyone: almost nobody [wɪʧ ˈhɑrdli ˈɛniˌwən]
• was able to understand: could comprehend or figure out [wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]

One night at about twelve o'clock there was a loud crash in the yard, and the animals rushed out of their stalls.

• One night: on a particular night [wən naɪt]
• at about twelve o'clock: approximately midnight [æt əˈbaʊt twɛlv əˈklɑk]
• there was: indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• a loud crash: a sudden, noisy impact or breaking sound [ə laʊd kræʃ]
• in the yard: the area surrounding a building [ɪn ðə jɑrd]
• and the animals: referring to the group of animals in the story [ənd ðə ˈænəməlz]
• rushed out: hurriedly exited [rəʃt aʊt]
• of their stalls: the individual enclosures where the animals are kept [əv ðɛr stɔlz]

It was a moonlit night.

• It was: introduces a description of the scene [ɪt wɑz]
• a moonlit night: a night illuminated by the moon [ə ˈmunˌlɪt naɪt]

At the foot of the end wall of the big barn, where the Seven Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces.

• At the foot of: at the base or bottom of [æt ðə fʊt əv]
• the end wall: the wall at the far side [ðə ɛnd wɔl]
• of the big barn: referring to the large agricultural building [əv ðə bɪg bɑrn]
• where the Seven Commandments: referring to the set of rules or principles [wɛr ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• were written: had been inscribed or painted [wər ˈrɪtən]
• there lay: indicates the position of something [ðɛr leɪ]
• a ladder: a structure used for climbing [ə ˈlædər]
• broken in two pieces: separated into two parts due to damage [ˈbroʊkən ɪn tu ˈpisɪz]

Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a paintbrush and an overturned pot of white paint.

• Squealer: a character's name [squealer]
• temporarily stunned: briefly dazed or confused [ˌtɛmpərˈɛrəli stənd]
• was sprawling: lying spread out in an ungainly way [wɑz ˈsprɔlɪŋ]
• beside it: next to the ladder [ˌbiˈsaɪd ɪt]
• and near at hand: close by; within easy reach [ənd nɪr æt hænd]
• there lay: indicates the position of something [ðɛr leɪ]
• a lantern: a portable light source [ə ˈlæntərn]
• a paintbrush: a tool used for applying paint [ə ˈpeɪntˌbrəʃ]
• and an overturned pot: a container that has been knocked over [ənd ən ˈoʊvərˌtərnd pɑt]
• of white paint: the substance used for coloring surfaces white [əv waɪt peɪnt]

The dogs immediately made a ring round Squealer, and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk.

• The dogs: referring to the group of dogs in the story [ðə dɔgz]
• immediately made: promptly formed [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli meɪd]
• a ring round: a circle surrounding someone or something [ə rɪŋ raʊnd]
• Squealer: a character's name [squealer]
• and escorted him: accompanied him in a protective manner [ənd ɛˈskɔrtɪd ɪm]
• back to the farmhouse: returning to the main house on the farm [bæk tɪ ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• as soon as: immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]
• he was able to walk: he regained the ability to move on foot [hi wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ wɔk]

None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant, except old Benjamin, who nodded his muzzle with a knowing air, and seemed to understand, but would say nothing.

• None of the animals: no animal [nən əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• could form any idea: could come up with any explanation [kʊd fɔrm ˈɛni aɪˈdiə]
• as to what this meant: regarding the significance of the situation [ɛz tɪ wət ðɪs mɛnt]
• except old Benjamin: excluding the character Benjamin [ɪkˈsɛpt oʊld ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• who nodded his muzzle: who moved his snout up and down slightly [hu ˈnɑdɪd hɪz ˈməzəl]
• with a knowing air: in a way that suggested he understood something others didn't [wɪθ ə noʊɪŋ ɛr]
• and seemed to understand: appeared to comprehend [ənd simd tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]
• but would say nothing: chose not to reveal his understanding [bət wʊd seɪ ˈnəθɪŋ]

But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments to herself, noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a new element [bət]
• a few days later: a short time after a previous event [ə fju deɪz ˈleɪtər]
• Muriel: a character's name [mˈjʊriəl]
• reading over: carefully reviewing or examining something [ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈoʊvər]
• the Seven Commandments: a set of rules or principles [ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]
• to herself: doing something silently or privately [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]
• noticed: became aware of something [ˈnoʊtɪst]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• there was: indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• yet another: one more in addition to others [jɛt əˈnəðər]
• of them: referring to the Seven Commandments [əv ðɛm]
• which: relative pronoun referring to 'another of them' [wɪʧ]
• the animals: referring to the animal characters in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• had remembered wrong: had recalled or understood incorrectly [hæd rɪˈmɛmbərd rɔŋ]

They had thought that the Fifth Commandment was ‘No animal shall drink alcohol’, but there were two words that they had forgotten.

• They had thought: the animals had believed [ðeɪ hæd θɔt]
• that: introduces a clause stating what they thought [ðət]
• the Fifth Commandment: a specific rule in the set of commandments [ðə fɪθ kəˈmændmənt]
• was: linking verb [wɑz]
• No animal shall drink alcohol: the animals' incorrect recollection of the commandment [‘‘no ˈænəməl ʃæl drɪŋk ˈælkəˌhɑl]
• but: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• there were: indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wər]
• two words: a specific number of words [tu wərdz]
• that: relative pronoun referring to 'two words' [ðət]
• they had forgotten: the animals had failed to remember [ðeɪ hæd fərˈgɑtən]

IX

Boxer's split hoof was a long time in healing.

• Boxer's split hoof: Boxer is a character, split hoof refers to an injury [ˈbɑksərz splɪt huf]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• a long time: a considerable duration [ə lɔŋ taɪm]
• in healing: the process of recovering from an injury [ɪn ˈhilɪŋ]

They had started the rebuilding of the windmill the day after the victory celebrations were ended.

• They: referring to a group of people, likely the other animals [ðeɪ]
• had started: past perfect tense of 'start', indicating an action that began in the past and was completed before another past action [hæd ˈstɑrtɪd]
• the rebuilding: the act of reconstructing something [ðə riˈbɪldɪŋ]
• of the windmill: referring to a specific structure being rebuilt [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• the day after: the day following a specific event [ðə deɪ ˈæftər]
• the victory celebrations: the festivities held to celebrate a victory [ðə ˈvɪktəri ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃənz]
• were ended: had concluded [wər ˈɛndɪd]

Boxer refused to take even a day off work, and made it a point of honour not to let it be seen that he was in pain.

• Boxer: a character's name [ˈbɑksər]
• refused: declined to do something [rɪfˈjuzd]
• to take: in order to take [tɪ teɪk]
• even: used to emphasize something unexpected or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• a day off work: a day of rest from labor [ə deɪ ɔf wərk]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• made it: caused something to be [meɪd ɪt]
• a point of honour: something considered a matter of principle or pride [ə pɔɪnt əv ˈɑnər]
• not to let it be seen: to avoid showing [nɑt tɪ lɛt ɪt bi sin]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he was: referring to Boxer [hi wɑz]
• in pain: experiencing physical discomfort [ɪn peɪn]

In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal.

• In the evenings: during the evening time [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋz]
• he would admit: he would confess or acknowledge [hi wʊd ədˈmɪt]
• privately: in a confidential manner [ˈpraɪvətli]
• to Clover: another character's name [tɪ ˈkloʊvər]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the hoof: referring to Boxer's injured hoof [ðə huf]
• troubled him: caused him discomfort or pain [ˈtrəbəld ɪm]
• a great deal: very much [ə greɪt dil]

Clover treated the hoof with poultices of herbs which she prepared by chewing them, and both she and Benjamin urged Boxer to work less hard. ‘A horse's lungs do not last for ever,’ she said to him.

• Clover: a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]
• treated: applied a remedy to [ˈtritɪd]
• the hoof: referring to Boxer's injured hoof [ðə huf]
• with poultices: a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation [wɪθ ˈpoʊltəsɪz]
• of herbs: made from plants with medicinal properties [əv ərbz]
• which: relative pronoun referring to 'herbs' [wɪʧ]
• she prepared: she made or got ready [ʃi priˈpɛrd]
• by chewing them: by grinding them with her teeth [baɪ ʧuɪŋ ðɛm]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• both: referring to two people or things together [boʊθ]
• she: referring to Clover [ʃi]
• and: conjunction connecting two people [ənd]
• Benjamin: another character's name [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• urged: strongly encouraged [ərʤd]
• Boxer: a character's name [ˈbɑksər]
• to work: to perform labor [tɪ wərk]
• less hard: with less intensity or effort [lɛs hɑrd]
• A horse's lungs: referring to the respiratory organs of a horse [‘‘a ˈhɔrsəz ləŋz]
• do not last: do not endure or continue [du nɑt læst]
• for ever: indefinitely; without end [fər ˈɛvər)]
• she said: Clover spoke [ʃi sɛd]
• to him: referring to Boxer [tɪ ɪm]

But Boxer would not listen.

• But: conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• Boxer: a character's name [ˈbɑksər]
• would not listen: refused to pay attention [wʊd nɑt ˈlɪsən]

He had, he said, only one real ambition left – to see the windmill well under way before he reached the age for retirement.

• He had: he possessed [hi hæd]
• he said: Boxer spoke [hi sɛd]
• only one: just one [ˈoʊnli wən]
• real ambition: genuine desire or goal [ril æmˈbɪʃən]
• left: remaining [lɛft]
• to see: to witness [tɪ si]
• the windmill: referring to a specific structure [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• well under way: making good progress [wɛl ˈəndər weɪ]
• before: prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• he reached: he attained [hi riʧt]
• the age: a specific point in time related to age [ðə eɪʤ]
• for retirement: the time when one stops working [fər rɪˈtaɪərmənt]