Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 56

There were many more mouths to feed now.

• There were: Indicates existence or presence in the past [ðɛr wər]
• many more: a greater number of [ˈmɛni mɔr]
• mouths to feed: a figurative expression referring to individuals needing to be provided with food and sustenance [maʊðz tɪ fid]
• now: at the present time; currently [naʊ]

In the autumn the four sows had all littered about simultaneously, producing thirty-one young pigs between them.

• In the autumn: during the season of autumn, also known as fall [ɪn ðə ˈɔtəm]
• the four sows: four female pigs that have given birth [ðə fɔr soʊz]
• had all littered: had all given birth to a number of young [hæd ɔl ˈlɪtərd]
• about simultaneously: at or very near the same time; concurrently [əˈbaʊt ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli]
• producing: resulting in; yielding [ prəˈdusɪŋ]
• thirty-one young pigs: 31 baby pigs [thirty-one jəŋ pɪgz]
• between them: among the four sows collectively [bɪtˈwin ðɛm]

The young pigs were piebald, and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm it was possible to guess at their parentage.

• The young pigs: the baby pigs [ðə jəŋ pɪgz]
• were piebald: having patches of black and white or of other colors; mottled [wər ˈpaɪˌbɔld]
• and as: introducing a reason or explanation [ ənd ɛz]
• Napoleon: a proper noun, likely referring to a specific character, in this case, a pig [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was the only boar: was the sole male pig kept for breeding [wɑz ðə ˈoʊnli bɔr]
• on the farm: at the agricultural establishment [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• it was possible: it was feasible or likely [ɪt wɑz ˈpɑsəbəl]
• to guess at: to make an educated assumption about [tɪ gɛs æt]
• their parentage: the identity of their parents [ðɛr ˈpɛrəntəʤ]

It was announced that later, when bricks and timber had been purchased, a schoolroom would be built in the farmhouse garden.

• It was announced: it was officially declared or made known [ɪt wɑz əˈnaʊnst]
• that later: at a subsequent time [ðət ˈleɪtər]
• when bricks and timber: building materials, specifically clay blocks and wood [ wɪn brɪks ənd ˈtɪmbər]
• had been purchased: had been bought [hæd bɪn ˈpərʧəst]
• a schoolroom: a room designated for teaching and learning [ ə ˈskuˌlrum]
• would be built: would be constructed [wʊd bi bɪlt]
• in the farmhouse garden: in the garden belonging to the main house on the farm [ɪn ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈgɑrdən]

For the time being the young pigs were given their instruction by Napoleon himself in the farmhouse kitchen.

• For the time being: temporarily; for the present moment [fər ðə taɪm biɪŋ]
• the young pigs: the baby pigs [ðə jəŋ pɪgz]
• were given: were provided with [wər ˈgɪvɪn]
• their instruction: their education or teaching [ðɛr ˌɪnˈstrəkʃən]
• by Napoleon himself: directly by the character Napoleon [baɪ nəˈpoʊljən hɪmˈsɛlf]
• in the farmhouse kitchen: in the kitchen of the main house on the farm [ɪn ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈkɪʧən]

They took their exercise in the garden, and were discouraged from playing with the other young animals.

• They took: they engaged in [ðeɪ tʊk]
• their exercise: physical activity for maintaining health [ðɛr ˈɛksərˌsaɪz]
• in the garden: in the outdoor area with plants [ɪn ðə ˈgɑrdən]
• and were discouraged: and were dissuaded or prevented [ ənd wər dɪˈskərɪʤd]
• from playing: from engaging in recreational activity [frəm pleɪɪŋ]
• with the other young animals: with the other juvenile creatures on the farm [wɪθ ðə ˈəðər jəŋ ˈænəməlz]

About this time, too, it was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path, the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs, of whatever degree, were to have the privilege of wearing green ribbons on their tails on Sundays.

• About this time: around this period [əˈbaʊt ðɪs taɪm]
• too: also; in addition [ tu]
• it was laid down: it was established or decreed [ ɪt wɑz leɪd daʊn]
• as a rule: as a regulation or guideline [ɛz ə rul]
• that when: introducing a condition [ðət wɪn]
• a pig: a member of the swine family [ə pɪg]
• and any other animal: and any other creature that is not a pig [ənd ˈɛni ˈəðər ˈænəməl]
• met: encountered each other [mɛt]
• on the path: on the walkway or trail [ɔn ðə pæθ]
• the other animal: the non-pig creature [ ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməl]
• must stand aside: must move to the side to allow the pig to pass [məst stænd əˈsaɪd]
• and also: in addition [ ənd ˈɔlsoʊ]
• that all pigs: every pig [ðət ɔl pɪgz]
• of whatever degree: regardless of their rank or status [ əv ˌwəˈtɛvər dɪˈgri]
• were to have: should have [ wər tɪ hæv]
• the privilege: a special right or advantage [ðə ˈprɪvɪlɪʤ]
• of wearing: of having on their bodies [əv ˈwɛrɪŋ]
• green ribbons: strips of green fabric [grin ˈrɪbənz]
• on their tails: attached to their caudal appendages [ɔn ðɛr teɪlz]
• on Sundays: every Sunday; on the day of the week [ɔn ˈsənˌdiz]

The farm had had a fairly successful year, but was still short of money.

• The farm: Refers to a specific agricultural establishment [ðə fɑrm]
• had had: Past perfect tense indicating that the farm possessed something in the past [hæd hæd]
• a fairly successful year: A year that was reasonably successful but not exceptionally so [ə ˈfɛrli səkˈsɛsfəl jɪr]
• but: Indicates a contrast or exception to the previous statement [ bət]
• was still short of money: Despite the successful year, the farm lacked sufficient funds [wɑz stɪl ʃɔrt əv ˈməni]

There were the bricks, sand and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased, and it would also be necessary to begin saving up again for the machinery for the windmill.

• There were: Indicates the existence or presence of something [ðɛr wər]
• the bricks, sand and lime: Specific materials needed for construction [ðə brɪks sænd ənd laɪm]
• for the schoolroom: Purpose of the materials - to build a schoolroom [fər ðə ˈskuˌlrum]
• to be purchased: Indicates that the materials needed to be bought [tɪ bi ˈpərʧəst]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• it would also be necessary: Expresses the need or requirement for something [ɪt wʊd ˈɔlsoʊ bi ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]
• to begin saving up again: To start accumulating money for a specific purpose [tɪ bɪˈgɪn ˈseɪvɪŋ əp əˈgɛn]
• for the machinery: Purpose of saving - to buy machinery [fər ðə məˈʃinəri]
• for the windmill: Specifies the type of machinery - for a windmill [fər ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Then there were lamp oil and candles for the house, sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs, on the ground that it made them fat), and all the usual replacements such as tools, nails, string, coal, wire, scrap-iron and dog biscuits.

• Then: Indicates the next item or point in a sequence [ðɛn]
• there were: Indicates the existence or presence of something [ðɛr wər]
• lamp oil and candles: Items used for lighting [læmp ɔɪl ənd ˈkændəlz]
• for the house: Purpose of the items - for use in the house [fər ðə haʊs]
• sugar: A sweet substance used as food [ ˈʃʊgər]
• for Napoleon's own table: Specifies who the sugar is for - Napoleon [fər nəˈpoʊliənz oʊn ˈteɪbəl]
• he forbade this: Napoleon prohibited something [hi fərˈbeɪd ðɪs]
• to the other pigs: Specifies who was forbidden - the other pigs [tɪ ðə ˈəðər pɪgz]
• on the ground that: Provides the reason or justification for the prohibition [ ɔn ðə graʊnd ðət]
• it made them fat: The reason - it would cause the other pigs to gain weight [ɪt meɪd ðɛm fæt]
• all the usual replacements: Common items that need to be replaced regularly [ɔl ðə ˈjuʒəwəl riˈpleɪsmənts]
• such as: Introduces examples of the replacements [səʧ ɛz]
• tools, nails, string, coal, wire, scrap-iron and dog biscuits: Specific examples of items that need replacement [tulz neɪlz strɪŋ koʊl waɪər scrap-iron ənd dɔg ˈbɪskəts]

A stump of hay and part of the potato crop were sold off, and the contract for eggs was increased to six hundred a week, so that that year the hens barely hatched enough chicks to keep their numbers at the same level.

• A stump of hay: A small amount of hay [ə stəmp əv heɪ]
• and part of the potato crop: A portion of the potatoes that were harvested [ənd pɑrt əv ðə pəˈteɪˌtoʊ krɑp]
• were sold off: Were sold to generate income [wər soʊld ɔf]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• the contract for eggs: An agreement to supply eggs [ðə ˈkɑnˌtrækt fər ɛgz]
• was increased: The amount to be supplied was raised [wɑz ˌɪnˈkrist]
• to six hundred a week: The new quantity to be supplied weekly [tɪ sɪks ˈhənərd ə wik]
• so that: Indicates the consequence of the increased contract [ soʊ ðət]
• that year: Refers to the specific year being discussed [ðət jɪr]
• the hens barely hatched: The hens produced very few chicks [ðə hɛnz ˈbɛrli hæʧt]
• enough chicks: Sufficient number of chicks [ɪˈnəf ʧɪks]
• to keep their numbers: To maintain the population of hens [tɪ kip ðɛr ˈnəmbərz]
• at the same level: To prevent the population from decreasing [æt ðə seɪm ˈlɛvəl]

Radons, reduced in December, were reduced again in February, and lanterns in the stalls were forbidden to save oil.

• Radons: Likely a typo and should be 'rations', meaning a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [radons]
• reduced in December: The amount of rations was decreased in December [ rɪˈdust ɪn dɪˈsɛmbər]
• were reduced again: The amount of rations was decreased again [ wər rɪˈdust əˈgɛn]
• in February: Specifies when the rations were reduced again [ɪn ˈfɛbruˌɛri]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• lanterns in the stalls: Lights used in the animal enclosures [ˈlæntərnz ɪn ðə stɔlz]
• were forbidden: Were prohibited or not allowed [wər ˈfɔrbɪdən]
• to save oil: The reason for the prohibition - to conserve oil [tɪ seɪv ɔɪl]

But the pigs seemed comfortable enough, and in fact were putting on weight if anything.

• But: Indicates a contrast or exception to the previous statements [bət]
• the pigs seemed comfortable enough: The pigs appeared to be sufficiently at ease [ðə pɪgz simd ˈkəmfərtəbəl ɪˈnəf]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement [ɪn fækt]
• were putting on weight: Were gaining weight [wər ˈpʊtɪŋ ɔn weɪt]
• if anything: Used to suggest that the pigs were gaining weight, if anything at all [ɪf ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]

One afternoon in late February a warm, rich, appetising scent, such as the animals had never smelt before, wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house, which had been disused in Jones's time, and which stood beyond the kitchen.

• One afternoon: A specific time of day [wən ˌæftərˈnun]
• in late February: Specifies the time of year [ɪn leɪt ˈfɛbruˌɛri]
• a warm, rich, appetising scent: A pleasant and inviting smell [ə wɔrm rɪʧ appetising sɛnt]
• such as: Introduces a comparison or example [ səʧ ɛz]
• the animals had never smelt before: The animals had not experienced this smell previously [ðə ˈænəməlz hæd ˈnɛvər smɛlt ˌbiˈfɔr]
• wafted itself: The scent traveled through the air [ ˈwɑftɪd ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• across the yard: The scent moved across the open area [əˈkrɔs ðə jɑrd]
• from the little brew-house: The source of the scent - a small building used for brewing [frəm ðə ˈlɪtəl brew-house]
• which: Introduces additional information about the brew-house [ wɪʧ]
• had been disused: Had not been used for some time [hæd bɪn disused]
• in Jones's time: Specifies when the brew-house was not in use - during Jones's ownership [ɪn ˈʤoʊnzɪz taɪm]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• which: Introduces additional information about the brew-house [wɪʧ]
• stood beyond the kitchen: The location of the brew-house - past the kitchen [stʊd bɪɔnd ðə ˈkɪʧən]

Someone said it was the smell of cooking barley.

• Someone said: An unidentified person stated [ˈsəmˌwən sɛd]
• it was the smell: Identifies the scent [ɪt wɑz ðə smɛl]
• of cooking barley: The source of the scent - barley being cooked [əv ˈkʊkɪŋ ˈbɑrli]

The animals sniffed the air hungrily and wondered whether a warm mash was being prepared for their supper.

• The animals sniffed the air: The animals inhaled to detect the scent [ðə ˈænəməlz snɪft ðə ɛr]
• hungrily: With a strong desire or need [ˈhəŋgrəli]
• and wondered: The animals questioned or speculated [ənd ˈwəndərd]
• whether: Introduces a possibility or question [ˈwɛðər]
• a warm mash: A soft, pulpy mixture of food [ə wɔrm mæʃ]
• was being prepared: Was in the process of being made [wɑz biɪŋ priˈpɛrd]
• for their supper: The purpose of the mash - for their evening meal [fər ðɛr ˈsəpər]

But no warm mash appeared, and on the following Sunday it was announced that from now onwards all barley would be reserved for the pigs.

• But: Indicates a contrast or exception to the previous statement [bət]
• no warm mash appeared: The expected meal did not materialize [noʊ wɔrm mæʃ əˈpɪrd]
• and: Connects two related ideas or statements [ ənd]
• on the following Sunday: The next Sunday after the event [ɔn ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈsənˌdi]
• it was announced: An official statement was made [ɪt wɑz əˈnaʊnst]
• that from now onwards: Starting from this point in time [ðət frəm naʊ ˈɑnwərdz]
• all barley: The entire supply of barley [ɔl ˈbɑrli]
• would be reserved: Would be kept aside or allocated [wʊd bi rɪˈzərvd]
• for the pigs: The intended recipients of the barley [fər ðə pɪgz]

The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley.

• The field beyond the orchard: A specific area of land [ðə fild bɪɔnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]
• had already been sown: Seeds had already been planted [hæd ɔˈrɛdi bɪn soʊn]
• with barley: The type of seed planted [wɪθ ˈbɑrli]

And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily, with half a gallon for Napoleon himself, which was always served to him in the Crown Derby soup tureen.

• And: Connects two related ideas or statements [ənd]
• the news soon leaked out: Information was revealed unofficially [ðə nuz sun likt aʊt]
• that every pig: Each individual pig [ðət ˈɛvəri pɪg]
• was now receiving: Was currently being given [wɑz naʊ rɪˈsivɪŋ]
• a ration of a pint of beer: A specific amount of beer [ə ˈræʃən əv ə paɪnt əv bɪr]
• daily: Every day [ˈdeɪli]
• with: Indicates an addition or exception [ wɪθ]
• half a gallon: A larger quantity [hæf ə ˈgælən]
• for Napoleon himself: Specifies who receives the larger quantity [fər nəˈpoʊljən hɪmˈsɛlf]
• which: Introduces additional information about the beer [ wɪʧ]
• was always served: Was consistently given [wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz sərvd]
• to him: To Napoleon [tɪ ɪm]
• in the Crown Derby soup tureen: A specific type of serving dish [ɪn ðə kraʊn ˈdərbi sup tureen]