Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 58

In the middle of the summer Moses the raven suddenly reappeared on the farm, after an absence of several years.

• In the middle of: Located at the central point or during the central part of [ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl əv]
• the summer: the warmest season of the year, occurring between spring and autumn [ðə ˈsəmər]
• Moses: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈmoʊzɪs]
• the raven: a large black bird with a croaking call [ðə ˈreɪvən]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• reappeared: appeared again; returned [ˌriəˈpɪrd]
• on the farm: at the agricultural land and buildings [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• after an absence of: following a period of not being present for [ˈæftər ən ˈæbsəns əv]
• several years: more than two years but not many [ˈsɛvərəl jɪrz]

He was quite unchanged, still did no work, and talked in the same strain as ever about Sugarcandy Mountain.

• He was quite unchanged: He remained the same; there were no alterations in his appearance or behavior [hi wɑz kwaɪt ənˈʧeɪnʤd]
• still did no work: continued to avoid any labor or exertion [stɪl dɪd noʊ wərk]
• and talked in the same strain: and spoke in a similar manner or tone [ənd tɔkt ɪn ðə seɪm streɪn]
• as ever: as always; as before [ɛz ˈɛvər]
• about Sugarcandy Mountain: referring to a fictional or metaphorical place called Sugarcandy Mountain [əˈbaʊt sugarcandy ˈmaʊntən]

He would perch on a stump, flap his black wings, and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. ‘Up there, comrades,’ he would say solemnly, pointing to the sky with his large beak – ‘up there, just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see-there it lies, Sugarcandy Mountain, that happy country where we poor animals shall rest for ever from our labours!’ He even claimed to have been there on one of his higher flights, and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges.

• He would perch: He would sit or rest on something, typically a high or narrow place [hi wʊd pərʧ]
• on a stump: on the remaining part of a tree trunk after the tree has fallen or been cut down [ɔn ə stəmp]
• flap his black wings: move his wings up and down [flæp hɪz blæk wɪŋz]
• and talk by the hour: and speak for a long time [ənd tɔk baɪ ðə aʊər]
• to anyone who would listen: to anybody who was willing to pay attention [tɪ ˈɛniˌwən hu wʊd ˈlɪsən]
• Up there, comrades: A phrase used to get attention and to indicate a location above, followed by a term for friends or colleagues [əp ðɛr ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• he would say solemnly: he would speak in a serious and dignified manner [hi wʊd seɪ ˈsɔləmli]
• pointing to the sky: directing attention towards the heavens [ˈpɔɪntɪŋ tɪ ðə skaɪ]
• with his large beak: using his big bird mouth [wɪθ hɪz lɑrʤ bik]
• up there: in that high place; above [əp ðɛr]
• just on the other side of: located immediately beyond [ʤɪst ɔn ðə ˈəðər saɪd əv]
• that dark cloud: a mass of condensed water vapor in the sky that is dark in color [ðət dɑrk klaʊd]
• that you can see: which is visible to you [ðət ju kən si]
• there it lies: it is located there [ðɛr ɪt laɪz]
• Sugarcandy Mountain: a fictional or metaphorical place called Sugarcandy Mountain [sugarcandy ˈmaʊntən]
• that happy country: that joyful place or region [ðət ˈhæpi ˈkəntri]
• where we poor animals: in which we unfortunate creatures [wɛr wi pur ˈænəməlz]
• shall rest for ever: will have eternal rest [ʃæl rɛst fər ˈɛvər]
• from our labours: from our hard work and efforts [frəm ɑr labours]
• He even claimed: He asserted or stated as a fact [hi ˈivɪn kleɪmd]
• to have been there: that he had visited that place [tɪ hæv bɪn ðɛr]
• on one of his higher flights: during one of his journeys through the air at a greater altitude [ɔn wən əv hɪz haɪər flaɪts]
• and to have seen: and that he had observed [ənd tɪ hæv sin]
• the everlasting fields of clover: the never-ending areas of land covered in clover plants [ðə ˌɛvərˈlæstɪŋ fildz əv ˈkloʊvər]
• and the linseed cake: and the solid mass of flaxseed residue after oil extraction [ənd ðə ˈlɪnˌsid keɪk]
• and lump sugar: and sugar in the form of small, irregular pieces [ənd ləmp ˈʃʊgər]
• growing on the hedges: growing on the bushes or shrubs forming a boundary [groʊɪŋ ɔn ðə ˈhɛʤɪz]

Many of the animals believed him.

• Many of the animals believed him: A significant number of the creatures accepted his stories as true [ˈmɛni əv ðə ˈænəməlz bɪˈlivd ɪm]

Their lives now, they reasoned, were hungry and laborious; was it not right and just that a better world should exist somewhere else?

• Their lives now: The existence they were currently living [ðɛr lɪvz naʊ]
• they reasoned: they thought logically; they concluded [ðeɪ ˈrizənd]
• were hungry and laborious: were characterized by a lack of food and a lot of hard work [wər ˈhəŋgri ənd ləˈbɔriəs]
• was it not right and just: was it not fair and morally correct [wɑz ɪt nɑt raɪt ənd ʤɪst]
• that a better world: that a more favorable place or existence [ðət ə ˈbɛtər wərld]
• should exist somewhere else: ought to be located in another place [ʃʊd ɪgˈzɪst ˈsəmˌwɛr ɛls]

A thing that was difficult to determine was the attitude of the pigs towards Moses.

• A thing that was difficult to determine: Something that was hard to figure out [ə θɪŋ ðət wɑz ˈdɪfəkəlt tɪ dɪˈtərmən]
• was the attitude of the pigs: was the way the pigs felt and behaved [wɑz ðə ˈætəˌtud əv ðə pɪgz]
• towards Moses: in relation to Moses [təˈwɔrdz ˈmoʊzɪs]

They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies, and yet they allowed him to remain on the farm, not working, with an allowance of a gill of beer a day.

• They all declared contemptuously: They all stated with disdain and scorn [ðeɪ ɔl dɪˈklɛrd kənˈtɛmˌpʧuəsli]
• that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies: that the narratives he told about Sugarcandy Mountain were untrue [ðət hɪz ˈstɔriz əˈbaʊt sugarcandy ˈmaʊntən wər laɪz]
• and yet: but nevertheless; however [ənd jɛt]
• they allowed him: they permitted him [ðeɪ əˈlaʊd ɪm]
• to remain on the farm: to stay at the agricultural land and buildings [tɪ rɪˈmeɪn ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• not working: without doing any labor [nɑt ˈwərkɪŋ]
• with an allowance of: receiving a provision of [wɪθ ən əˈlaʊəns əv]
• a gill of beer: a small amount of beer, a gill being a unit of liquid volume [ə gɪl əv bɪr]
• a day: each day [ə deɪ]

After his hoof had healed up Boxer worked harder than ever.

• After: Following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• hoof: the horny part of the foot of an ungulate animal, such as a horse, cow, or pig [huf]
• had healed up: had recovered from an injury or wound [hæd hild əp]
• Boxer: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈbɑksər]
• worked: exerted effort; performed labor [wərkt]
• harder: with greater intensity or effort [ˈhɑrdər]
• than: used for comparison [ðən]
• ever: at any time; always [ˈɛvər]

Indeed all the animals worked like slaves that year.

• Indeed: in truth; in fact [ˌɪnˈdid]
• all: the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]
• the animals: living creatures that are not human beings [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• worked: exerted effort; performed labor [wərkt]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• slaves: people who are owned by someone and forced to work for them [sleɪvz]
• that year: referring to a specific year [ðət jɪr]

Apart from the regular work of the farm, and the rebuilding of the windmill, there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs, which was started in March.

• Apart from: excluding; besides [əˈpɑrt frəm]
• the regular work: the normal or usual tasks [ðə ˈrɛgjələr wərk]
• of the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [əv ðə fɑrm]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• the rebuilding: the act of constructing again [ðə riˈbɪldɪŋ]
• of the windmill: a structure with sails that convert wind energy into rotational energy [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• there was: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• the schoolhouse: a building used as a school [ðə ˈskuˌlhaʊs]
• for: intended to be used by [fər]
• the young pigs: baby pigs [ðə jəŋ pɪgz]
• which: referring to the schoolhouse [wɪʧ]
• was started: began to be built or established [wɑz ˈstɑrtɪd]
• in March: a month of the year [ɪn mɑrʧ]

Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear, but Boxer never faltered.

• Sometimes: occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• the long hours: extended periods of work [ðə lɔŋ aʊərz]
• on: being subjected to [ɔn]
• insufficient food: not enough nourishment [ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt fud]
• were hard: difficult [wər hɑrd]
• to bear: to endure; to tolerate [tɪ bɛr]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• Boxer: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈbɑksər]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• faltered: lost strength or momentum; hesitated [ˈfɑltərd]

In nothing that he said or did was there any sign that his strength was not what it had been.

• In nothing: in no aspect or detail [ɪn ˈnəθɪŋ]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]
• he said: he spoke [hi sɛd]
• or: used to connect alternatives [ər]
• did: performed [dɪd]
• was there: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [wɑz ðɛr]
• any sign: any indication or evidence [ˈɛni saɪn]
• that: introducing a clause expressing a reason or cause [ðət]
• his strength: his physical power [hɪz strɛŋθ]
• was not: wasn't [wɑz nɑt]
• what: the thing that [wət]
• it had been: it used to be [ɪt hæd bɪn]

It was only his appearance that was a little altered; his hide was less shiny than it had used to be, and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken.

• It was: referring to a situation or condition [ɪt wɑz]
• only: merely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• his appearance: the way he looked [hɪz əˈpɪrəns]
• that: introducing a clause identifying the appearance [ðət]
• was: linking verb [wɑz]
• a little: slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• altered: changed; modified [ˈɔltərd]
• his hide: animal skin [hɪz haɪd]
• was: linking verb [wɑz]
• less shiny: not as bright or glossy [lɛs ˈʃaɪni]
• than: used for comparison [ðən]
• it had used to be: it was previously [ɪt hæd juzd tɪ bi]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• his great haunches: his large, muscular hindquarters [hɪz greɪt haunches]
• seemed: appeared [simd]
• to have shrunken: to have become smaller [tɪ hæv ʃˈrəŋkən]

The others said, ‘Boxer will pick up when the spring grass comes on’; but the spring grass came and Boxer grew no fatter.

• The others: the remaining animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• said: expressed verbally [sɛd]
• Boxer: the name of a character, likely an animal [‘‘boxer]
• will pick up: will recover or improve [wɪl pɪk əp]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• the spring grass: grass that grows in the spring [ðə spərɪŋ græs]
• comes on: begins to grow [kəmz ɔn]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• the spring grass: grass that grows in the spring [ðə spərɪŋ græs]
• came: arrived [keɪm]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• Boxer: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈbɑksər]
• grew: became [gru]
• no fatter: did not gain weight [noʊ ˈfætər]

Sometimes on the slope leading to the top of the quarry, when he braced his muscles against the weight of some vast boulder, it seemed that nothing kept him on his feet except the will to continue.

• Sometimes: occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• on: located on [ɔn]
• the slope: a surface that inclines from the horizontal or vertical [ðə sloʊp]
• leading to: going towards [ˈlidɪŋ tɪ]
• the top: the highest point [ðə tɔp]
• of the quarry: a place where stone is extracted [əv ðə kˈwɔri]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• he braced: he prepared himself physically or mentally [hi breɪst]
• his muscles: bodily tissues that produce force and motion [hɪz ˈməsəlz]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the weight: the heaviness of something [ðə weɪt]
• of: belonging to [əv]
• some vast boulder: a very large rock [səm væst ˈboʊldər]
• it seemed: it appeared [ɪt simd]
• that: introducing a clause expressing a result or consequence [ðət]
• nothing: no thing; not anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• kept: held [kɛpt]
• him: referring to Boxer [ɪm]
• on his feet: upright; standing [ɔn hɪz fit]
• except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• the will: the determination or desire [ðə wɪl]
• to continue: to keep going [tɪ kənˈtɪnju]

At such times his lips were seen to form the words ‘I will work harder’; he had no voice left.

• At such times: during those moments [æt səʧ taɪmz]
• his lips: the fleshy parts forming the edge of the mouth [hɪz lɪps]
• were seen: were observed [wər sin]
• to form: to shape [tɪ fɔrm]
• the words: units of language [ðə wərdz]
• I will work harder: a statement of intention to increase effort [‘‘i wɪl wərk ˈhɑrdər]
• he had: he possessed [hi hæd]
• no voice left: unable to speak [noʊ vɔɪs lɛft]

Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health, but Boxer paid no attention.

• Once again: again; another time [wəns əˈgɛn]
• Clover: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈkloʊvər]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• Benjamin: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• warned: advised against something [wɔrnd]
• him: referring to Boxer [ɪm]
• to take care: to be cautious and attentive [tɪ teɪk kɛr]
• of his health: his physical well-being [əv hɪz hɛlθ]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• Boxer: the name of a character, likely an animal [ˈbɑksər]
• paid no attention: did not listen or heed [peɪd noʊ əˈtɛnʃən]

His twelfth birthday was approaching.

• His twelfth birthday: the anniversary of his birth, marking twelve years [hɪz twɛlfθ ˈbərθˌdeɪ]
• was approaching: was getting closer [wɑz əˈproʊʧɪŋ]

He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension.

• He did not care: he was unconcerned [hi dɪd nɑt kɛr]
• what happened: whatever occurred [wət ˈhæpənd]
• so long as: provided that [soʊ lɔŋ ɛz]
• a good store: a sufficient amount [ə gʊd stɔr]
• of stone: rock [əv stoʊn]
• was accumulated: was gathered or collected [wɑz əˈkjumjəˌleɪtɪd]
• before: prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• he went: he retired [hi wɛnt]
• on pension: receiving retirement benefits [ɔn ˈpɛnʃən]