Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 55

At the beginning, when the laws of Animal Farm were first formulated, the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve, for cows at fourteen, for dogs at nine, for sheep at seven and for hens and geese at five.

• At the beginning: at the start or commencement of something [æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• when: at the time that; during the period that [wɪn]
• the laws of Animal Farm: referring to the rules and principles established in the fictional Animal Farm [ðə lɔz əv ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• were first formulated: were initially created or expressed in a systematic way [wər fərst ˈfɔrmjəˌleɪtɪd]
• the retiring age: the age at which one stops working or is eligible for retirement benefits [ðə rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ eɪʤ]
• had been fixed: had been determined or decided upon [hæd bɪn fɪkst]
• for horses and pigs: specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər ˈhɔrsɪz ənd pɪgz]
• at twelve: the age of 12 years [æt twɛlv]
• for cows: specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər kaʊz]
• at fourteen: the age of 14 years [æt ˌfɔrˈtin]
• for dogs: specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər dɔgz]
• at nine: the age of 9 years [æt naɪn]
• for sheep: specifying the animals to which the following age applies [fər ʃip]
• at seven: the age of 7 years [æt ˈsɛvən]
• and for hens and geese: specifying the animals to which the following age applies [ənd fər hɛnz ənd gis]
• at five: the age of 5 years [æt faɪv]

Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon.

• Liberal old-age pensions: generous retirement benefits for elderly animals [ˈlɪˌbərəl old-age ˈpɛnʃənz]
• had been agreed upon: had been decided and accepted by all parties [hæd bɪn əˈgrid əˈpɑn]

As yet no animal had actually retired on pension, but of late the subject had been discussed more and more.

• As yet: up to this point in time; so far [ɛz jɛt]
• no animal: not a single animal [noʊ ˈænəməl]
• had actually retired: had in reality stopped working [hæd ˈæˌkʧuəli rɪˈtaɪrd]
• on pension: receiving retirement benefits [ɔn ˈpɛnʃən]
• but of late: but recently; in recent times [bət əv leɪt]
• the subject: the topic or matter being discussed [ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt]
• had been discussed: had been talked about [hæd bɪn dɪˈskəst]
• more and more: increasingly; to a greater extent [mɔr ənd mɔr]

Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley, it was rumoured that a comer of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals.

• Now that: because; since [naʊ ðət]
• the small field beyond the orchard: a specific area of land located past the fruit trees [ðə smɔl fild bɪɔnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]
• had been set aside: had been reserved or designated for a specific purpose [hæd bɪn sɛt əˈsaɪd]
• for barley: for growing barley, a type of grain [fər ˈbɑrli]
• it was rumoured: it was being said or spread as a rumor [ɪt wɑz rumoured]
• that a comer of the large pasture: a specific section of the big field where animals graze [ðət ə ˈkəmər əv ðə lɑrʤ ˈpæsʧər]
• was to be fenced off: was going to be separated by a fence [wɑz tɪ bi fɛnst ɔf]
• and turned into: and transformed into [ənd tərnd ˈɪntu]
• a grazing-ground: an area where animals can feed on grass [ə grazing-ground]
• for superannuated animals: for animals that are too old to work [fər superannuated ˈænəməlz]

For a horse, it was said, the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and, in winter, fifteen pounds of hay, with a carrot or possibly an apple on public holidays.

• For a horse: in the case of a horse [fər ə hɔrs]
• it was said: it was reported or believed [ɪt wɑz sɛd]
• the pension: the retirement benefits [ðə ˈpɛnʃən]
• would be: would consist of [wʊd bi]
• five pounds of corn: a specific amount of grain, weighing five pounds [faɪv paʊnz əv kɔrn]
• a day: per day [ə deɪ]
• and, in winter: during the winter season [ənd ɪn ˈwɪntər]
• fifteen pounds of hay: a specific amount of dried grass, weighing fifteen pounds [ˈfɪfˈtin paʊnz əv heɪ]
• with a carrot: along with a carrot [wɪθ ə ˈkɛrət]
• or possibly: or perhaps; maybe [ər ˈpɑsəbli]
• an apple: an apple fruit [ən ˈæpəl]
• on public holidays: on days that are officially recognized as holidays [ɔn ˈpəblɪk ˈhɑləˌdeɪz]

Boxer's twelfth birthday was due in the late summer of the following year.

• Boxer's twelfth birthday: the anniversary of Boxer's birth, marking his twelfth year [ˈbɑksərz twɛlfθ ˈbərθˌdeɪ]
• was due: was expected or scheduled to happen [wɑz du]
• in the late summer: towards the end of the summer season [ɪn ðə leɪt ˈsəmər]
• of the following year: in the year after the current year [əv ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ jɪr]

Meanwhile life was hard.

• Meanwhile: in the intervening period of time; at the same time [ˈminˌwaɪl]
• life: the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• hard: difficult to do or accomplish; demanding great effort or skill [hɑrd]

The winter was as cold as the last one had been, and food was even shorter.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific winter [ðə]
• winter: the coldest season of the year [ˈwɪntər]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• as cold as: a comparative phrase indicating a similar degree of coldness [ɛz koʊld ɛz]
• the last one: referring to the previous winter [ðə læst wən]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• food: any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth [fud]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• even: used to emphasize something [ˈivɪn]
• shorter: less in quantity or amount [ˈʃɔrtər]

Once again all rations were reduced except those of the pigs and the dogs.

• Once again: another time; repeatedly [wəns əˈgɛn]
• all: every member or individual component of [ɔl]
• rations: a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [ˈræʃənz]
• were: past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• reduced: made smaller or less in amount, degree, or size [rɪˈdust]
• except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• those of: referring to the rations belonging to [ðoʊz əv]
• the pigs: domesticated animals, often used to represent greed or privilege [ðə pɪgz]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• the dogs: domesticated animals, often used to represent loyalty or servitude [ðə dɔgz]

A too-rigid equality in rations, Squealer explained, would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism.

• A: indefinite article, introducing a singular noun [ə]
• too-rigid: excessively inflexible or strict [too-rigid]
• equality: the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities [ɪkˈwɑləti]
• in rations: referring to the distribution of food portions [ɪn ˈræʃənz]
• Squealer: a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]
• explained: gave a reason for or justification of; clarified [ɪkˈspleɪnd]
• would have been: conditional perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a hypothetical situation in the past [wʊd hæv bɪn]
• contrary: opposite in nature, direction, or meaning [ˈkɑntrɛri]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the principles: a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior [ðə ˈprɪnsəpəlz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• Animalism: the name of the animals' political philosophy, analogous to communism [animalism]

In any case he had no difficulty in proving to the other animals that they were not in reality short of food, whatever the appearances might be.

• In any case: regardless of what has just been said; in any event [ɪn ˈɛni keɪs]
• he: referring to Squealer [hi]
• had no difficulty: experienced no problem or obstacle [hæd noʊ ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]
• in proving: demonstrating the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument [ɪn ˈpruvɪŋ]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the other animals: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• were not: past tense negative of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər nɑt]
• in reality: in fact; actually [ɪn ˌriˈæləˌti]
• short of food: lacking an adequate supply of food [ʃɔrt əv fud]
• whatever: no matter what [ˌwəˈtɛvər]
• the appearances: the way someone or something seems [ðə əˈpɪrənsəz]
• might be: indicating a possibility [maɪt bi]

For the time being, certainly, it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a ‘readjustment’, never as a ‘reduction’), but in comparison with the days of Jones the improvement was enormous.

• For the time being: temporarily; for now [fər ðə taɪm biɪŋ]
• certainly: definitely; without doubt [ˈsərtənli]
• it: referring to the situation [ɪt]
• had been found: passive voice, indicating that something was discovered or determined [hæd bɪn faʊnd]
• necessary: required to be done, achieved, or present; essential [ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]
• to make: to perform an action [tɪ meɪk]
• a readjustment: a change to something to correct or improve it [ə riəˈʤəstmənt]
• of rations: referring to the distribution of food portions [əv ˈræʃənz]
• Squealer: a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]
• always: at all times; on all occasions [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• spoke: past tense of 'to speak', to say something [spoʊk]
• of it: referring to the readjustment [əv ɪt]
• as: used to indicate the name or description of something [ɛz]
• never: at no time; on no occasion [ˈnɛvər]
• as: used to indicate the name or description of something [ɛz]
• but: conjunction, introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• in comparison: the act or instance of comparing [ɪn kəmˈpɛrəsən]
• with: expressing the relationship between two things [wɪθ]
• the days: a period of time [ðə deɪz]
• of Jones: referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [əv ʤoʊnz]
• the improvement: an act of improving or the state of being improved [ðə ˌɪmˈpruvmənt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• enormous: extremely large or great [ɪˈnɔrmɪs]

Reading out the figures in a shrill rapid voice, he proved to them in detail that they had more oats, more hay, more turnips than they had had in Jones's day, that they worked shorter hours, that their drinking water was of better quality, that they lived longer, that a larger proportion of their young ones survived infancy, and that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas.

• Reading out: announcing or reciting aloud [ˈrɛdɪŋ aʊt]
• the figures: numerical data [ðə ˈfɪgjərz]
• in: expressing location or position [ɪn]
• a shrill: high-pitched and piercing [ə ʃrɪl]
• rapid: happening very quickly [ˈræpɪd]
• voice: the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song [vɔɪs]
• he: referring to Squealer [hi]
• proved: demonstrated the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument [pruvd]
• to them: referring to the other animals [tɪ ðɛm]
• in detail: item by item; thoroughly [ɪn ˈditeɪl]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• had: past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• more oats: a type of grain, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr oʊts]
• more hay: dried grass, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr heɪ]
• more turnips: a root vegetable, implying a greater quantity than before [mɔr ˈtərnəps]
• than: used to make a comparison [ðən]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• had had: past perfect tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience in the past [hæd hæd]
• in Jones's day: referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ˈʤoʊnzɪz deɪ]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• worked: past tense of 'to work', to exert effort [wərkt]
• shorter hours: less time spent working [ˈʃɔrtər aʊərz]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• drinking water: water suitable for drinking [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ˈwɔtər]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• of better quality: superior in standard or grade [əv ˈbɛtər kˈwɑləti]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• lived: past tense of 'to live', to remain alive [lɪvd]
• longer: for a greater duration [ˈlɔŋgər]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• a larger proportion: a greater percentage or fraction [ə ˈlɑrʤər prəˈpɔrʃən]
• of their: belonging to them [əv ðɛr]
• young ones: offspring; young animals [jəŋ wənz]
• survived: continued to live or exist [sərˈvaɪvd]
• infancy: the state or period of being an infant [ˈɪnfənsi]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the other animals [ðeɪ]
• had: past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• more straw: dried stalks of grain, used for bedding [mɔr strɔ]
• in their stalls: enclosed or partitioned areas for animals [ɪn ðɛr stɔlz]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• suffered: experienced or underwent something bad or unpleasant [ˈsəfərd]
• less: a smaller amount of [lɛs]
• from fleas: small, wingless, parasitic insects [frəm fliz]

The animals believed every word of it.

• The animals: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• believed: past tense of 'to believe', to accept something as true [bɪˈlivd]
• every word: all that was said [ˈɛvəri wərd]
• of it: referring to Squealer's claims [əv ɪt]

Truth to tell, Jones and all he stood for had almost faded out of their memories.

• Truth to tell: to be honest; in reality [truθ tɪ tɛl]
• Jones: the former owner of the farm, representing the old regime [ʤoʊnz]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• all: everything [ɔl]
• he: referring to Jones [hi]
• stood for: represented or symbolized [stʊd fər]
• had almost: nearly; very close to [hæd ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• faded out: gradually disappeared [ˈfeɪdɪd aʊt]
• of: expressing separation or removal [əv]
• their memories: the ability to remember past experiences [ðɛr ˈmɛməriz]

They knew that life nowadays was harsh and bare, that they were often hungry and often cold, and that they were usually working when they were not asleep.

• They: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• knew: past tense of 'to know', to be aware of something [nu]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• life: the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]
• nowadays: at the present time; in the current era [ˈnaʊəˌdeɪz]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• harsh: cruel or severe [hɑrʃ]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• bare: without any additions or trimmings; basic or essential [bɛr]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• often: frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]
• hungry: feeling or displaying the need for food [ˈhəŋgri]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• often: frequently; many times [ˈɔfən]
• cold: of or at a low or relatively low temperature [koʊld]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• that: introducing a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• usually: under normal conditions; generally [ˈjuʒəwəli]
• working: exerting effort to produce or accomplish something [ˈwərkɪŋ]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• they: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• were not: past tense negative plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər nɑt]
• asleep: in a state of sleep [əsˈlip]

But doubtless it had been worse in the old days.

• But: conjunction, introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• doubtless: certainly; without doubt [ˈdaʊtləs]
• it: referring to life [ɪt]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]
• worse: of poorer quality or lower standard [wərs]
• in the old days: referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]

They were glad to believe so.

• They: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• were glad: feeling pleasure or happiness [wər glæd]
• to believe: to accept something as true [tɪ bɪˈliv]
• so: in this way; to such an extent [soʊ]

Besides, in those days they had been slaves and now they were free, and that made all the difference, as Squealer did not fail to point out.

• Besides: in addition to; moreover [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]
• in those days: referring to the time when Mr. Jones was in charge of the farm [ɪn ðoʊz deɪz]
• they: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [hæd bɪn]
• slaves: a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them [sleɪvz]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• they: referring to the animals other than the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense plural of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• free: not under the control or power of someone else; able to act or think as one wants [fri]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar ideas [ənd]
• that: referring to their freedom [ðət]
• made: past tense of 'to make', to cause something to be or become [meɪd]
• all the difference: a significant change or effect [ɔl ðə ˈdɪfərəns]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• Squealer: a character's name, often associated with propaganda and manipulation [squealer]
• did not fail: certainly did [dɪd nɑt feɪl]
• to point out: to draw attention to something [tɪ pɔɪnt aʊt]