Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 59

Late one evening, in the summer, a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer.

• Late one evening: occurring at a time that is far into the evening [leɪt wən ˈivnɪŋ]
• in the summer: during the season of summer [ɪn ðə ˈsəmər]
• a sudden rumour: an unexpected piece of information or story that may or may not be true [ə ˈsədən ˈrumər]
• ran round: spread quickly through [ræn raʊnd]
• the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]
• that something had happened: indicating that an event, often negative, has occurred [ðət ˈsəmθɪŋ hæd ˈhæpənd]
• to Boxer: referring to a specific character named Boxer [tɪ ˈbɑksər]

He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill.

• He had gone out: he departed or left a place [hi hæd gɔn aʊt]
• alone: without any companions [əˈloʊn]
• to drag: to pull something heavy along with effort [tɪ dræg]
• a load of stone: a quantity of rocks or stones [ə loʊd əv stoʊn]
• down to: towards a lower place or position [daʊn tɪ]
• the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to grind grain or perform other work [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

And sure enough, the rumour was true.

• And sure enough: as expected; confirming a previous suspicion or expectation [ənd ʃʊr ɪˈnəf]
• the rumour was true: the unconfirmed information turned out to be accurate [ðə ˈrumər wɑz tru]

‘Boxer has fallen!

• Boxer has fallen: Boxer has collapsed or dropped to the ground [ˈbɑksər həz ˈfɑlən]

About half the animals on the farm rushed out to the knoll where the windmill stood.

• About half: approximately fifty percent [əˈbaʊt hæf]
• the animals: the creatures living on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• on the farm: located at the agricultural land and buildings [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• rushed out: moved quickly and eagerly [rəʃt aʊt]
• to the knoll: towards a small hill or mound [tɪ ðə noʊl]
• where the windmill stood: the location where the windmill was situated [wɛr ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl stʊd]

There lay Boxer, between the shafts of the cart, his neck stretched out, unable even to raise his head.

• There lay Boxer: Boxer was lying there [ðɛr leɪ ˈbɑksər]
• between the shafts: in the space between the two poles [bɪtˈwin ðə ʃæfts]
• of the cart: belonging to the vehicle used for carrying loads [əv ðə kɑrt]
• his neck stretched out: his neck extended to its full length [hɪz nɛk strɛʧt aʊt]
• unable even: not capable [əˈneɪbəl ˈivɪn]
• to raise his head: to lift his head upwards [tɪ reɪz hɪz hɛd]

His eyes were glazed, his sides matted with sweat.

• His eyes were glazed: his eyes appeared dull and without focus [hɪz aɪz wər gleɪzd]
• his sides matted: the hair or fur on his sides was tangled and stuck together [hɪz saɪdz matted]
• with sweat: covered in perspiration [wɪθ swɛt]

A thin stream of blood had trickled out of his mouth.

• A thin stream: a small flow [ə θɪn strim]
• of blood: the red liquid that circulates in the body [əv bləd]
• had trickled out: had flowed slowly in a thin stream [hæd ˈtrɪkəld aʊt]
• of his mouth: from his mouth [əv hɪz maʊθ]

Clover dropped to her knees at his side.

• Clover dropped: Clover lowered herself [ˈkloʊvər drɑpt]
• to her knees: to a kneeling position [tɪ hər niz]
• at his side: next to him [æt hɪz saɪd]

‘Boxer!’ she cried, ‘how are you?’

• Boxer: Addressing Boxer directly, showing concern [‘‘boxer]
• she: refers to a female character, likely Clover [ʃi]
• cried: exclaimed loudly, indicating distress or urgency [kraɪd]
• how are you: a question inquiring about Boxer's well-being [haʊ ər ju]

‘It is my lung,’ said Boxer in a weak voice. ‘It does not matter.

• It is my lung: Boxer is explaining that the problem is with his lung [‘‘it ɪz maɪ ləŋ]
• said: indicates who is speaking [sɛd]
• Boxer: the name of the character speaking [ˈbɑksər]
• in a weak voice: describes the manner in which Boxer is speaking, indicating his poor health [ɪn ə wik vɔɪs]
• It does not matter: Boxer is trying to downplay the seriousness of his condition [‘‘it dɪz nɑt ˈmætər]

I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me.

• I think: expressing an opinion or belief [aɪ θɪŋk]
• you: referring to the other animals [ju]
• will be able to: will have the capability to [wɪl bi ˈeɪbəl tɪ]
• finish: complete [ˈfɪnɪʃ]
• the windmill: a significant construction project on the farm [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• without me: indicating that he won't be able to help [wɪˈθaʊt mi]

There is a pretty good store of stone accumulated.

• There is: indicates the existence of something [ðɛr ɪz]
• a pretty good: quite a substantial [ə ˈprɪti gʊd]
• store of stone: a collection of rocks [stɔr əv stoʊn]
• accumulated: gathered or collected over time [əˈkjumjəˌleɪtɪd]

I had only another month to go in any case.

• I had: I possessed or had available [aɪ hæd]
• only: just [ˈoʊnli]
• another month: one more month [əˈnəðər mənθ]
• to go: remaining [tɪ goʊ]
• in any case: regardless of what happens [ɪn ˈɛni keɪs]

To tell you the truth I had been looking forward to my retirement.

• To tell you the truth: introducing a sincere statement [tɪ tɛl ju ðə truθ]
• I had been looking forward to: I was eagerly anticipating [aɪ hæd bɪn ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd tɪ]
• my retirement: the end of his working life [maɪ rɪˈtaɪərmənt]

‘We must get help at once,’ said Clover. ‘Run, somebody, and tell Squealer what has happened.’

• We must: It is imperative that we [‘‘we məst]
• get help: obtain assistance [gɪt hɛlp]
• at once: immediately [æt wəns]
• said: indicates who is speaking [sɛd]
• Clover: the name of the character speaking [ˈkloʊvər]
• Run: go quickly [‘‘run]
• somebody: anyone [ˈsəmˌbɑdi]
• and: conjunction used to connect two actions [ənd]
• tell: inform [tɛl]
• Squealer: the name of another character, a pig [squealer]
• what has happened: about the event that has occurred [wət həz ˈhæpənd]

All the other animals immediately raced back to the farmhouse to give Squealer the news.

• All the other animals: Refers to every animal except the speaker, emphasizing a collective group [ɔl ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• immediately: Happening without any delay; instantly [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]
• raced back: Quickly ran or hurried back [reɪst bæk]
• to the farmhouse: The main house on the farm, where the farmer lives [tɪ ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• to give Squealer the news: To inform Squealer, a pig character, about recent events [tɪ gɪv squealer ðə nuz]

Only Clover remained, and Benjamin, who lay down at Boxer's side, and, without speaking, kept the flies off him with his long tail.

• Only Clover remained: Clover was the sole animal that stayed behind [ˈoʊnli ˈkloʊvər rɪˈmeɪnd]
• and Benjamin: Another animal character, a donkey [ənd ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• who lay down: Who reclined or rested [hu leɪ daʊn]
• at Boxer's side: Next to Boxer, another animal character [æt ˈbɑksərz saɪd]
• and, without speaking: Without saying anything [ənd wɪˈθaʊt ˈspikɪŋ]
• kept the flies off him: Prevented flies from landing on Boxer [kɛpt ðə flaɪz ɔf ɪm]
• with his long tail: Using his tail to swat away the flies [wɪθ hɪz lɔŋ teɪl]

After about a quarter of an hour Squealer appeared, full of sympathy and concern.

• After about a quarter of an hour: Approximately fifteen minutes later [ˈæftər əˈbaʊt ə kˈwɔrtər əv ən aʊər]
• Squealer appeared: Squealer, a pig character, showed up [squealer əˈpɪrd]
• full of sympathy and concern: Expressing a lot of compassion and worry [fʊl əv ˈsɪmpəθi ənd kənˈsərn]

He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the very deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm, and was already making arrangements to send Boxer to be treated in the hospital at Willingdon.

• He said that: Introducing what Squealer stated [hi sɛd ðət]
• Comrade Napoleon: Referring to Napoleon, the leader of the farm, using the term 'Comrade' to denote equality and solidarity [ˈkɑmˌræd nəˈpoʊljən]
• had learned: Had found out or been informed [hæd ˈlərnɪd]
• with the very deepest distress: With extreme sadness and sorrow [wɪθ ðə ˈvɛri ˈdipəst dɪˈstrɛs]
• of this misfortune: About this unfortunate event [əv ðɪs mɪsˈfɔrʧən]
• to one of the most loyal workers: Referring to Boxer as a very dedicated and faithful worker [tɪ wən əv ðə moʊst lɔɪəl ˈwərkərz]
• on the farm: At the farm [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• and was already making arrangements: And was already planning [ənd wɑz ɔˈrɛdi ˈmeɪkɪŋ ərˈeɪnʤmənts]
• to send Boxer: To have Boxer go [tɪ sɛnd ˈbɑksər]
• to be treated: To receive medical care [tɪ bi ˈtritɪd]
• in the hospital at Willingdon: At the hospital located in Willingdon [ɪn ðə ˈhɑˌspɪtəl æt willingdon]

The animals felt a little uneasy at this.

• The animals felt a little uneasy: The animals felt somewhat anxious or worried [ðə ˈænəməlz fɛlt ə ˈlɪtəl əˈnizi]
• at this: About this situation [æt ðɪs]

Except for Mollie and Snowball no other animal had ever left the farm, and they did not like to think of their sick comrade in the hands of human beings.

• Except for Mollie and Snowball: Excluding Mollie and Snowball, two other animals [ɪkˈsɛpt fər ˈmɑli ənd sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• no other animal had ever left the farm: No other animal had previously departed from the farm [noʊ ˈəðər ˈænəməl hæd ˈɛvər lɛft ðə fɑrm]
• and they did not like to think: And they were uncomfortable with the idea [ənd ðeɪ dɪd nɑt laɪk tɪ θɪŋk]
• of their sick comrade: Of their ill friend [əv ðɛr sɪk ˈkɑmˌræd]
• in the hands of human beings: Being cared for by humans [ɪn ðə hænz əv ˈjumən biɪŋz]

However, Squealer easily convinced them that the veterinary surgeon in Willingdon could treat Boxer's case more satisfactorily than could be done on the farm.

• However, Squealer easily convinced them: But Squealer readily persuaded them [ˌhaʊˈɛvər squealer ˈizəli kənˈvɪnst ðɛm]
• that the veterinary surgeon: That the animal doctor [ðət ðə ˈvɛtrəˌnɛri ˈsərʤɪn]
• in Willingdon: Located in Willingdon [ɪn willingdon]
• could treat Boxer's case: Could provide medical care for Boxer [kʊd trit ˈbɑksərz keɪs]
• more satisfactorily: In a better way [mɔr ˌsætɪsˈfæktrəli]
• than could be done on the farm: Than what could be done at the farm [ðən kʊd bi dən ɔn ðə fɑrm]

And about half an hour later, when Boxer had somewhat recovered, he was with difficulty got onto his feet, and managed to limp back to his stall, where Clover and Benjamin had prepared a good bed of straw for him.

• And about half an hour later: Approximately thirty minutes later [ənd əˈbaʊt hæf ən aʊər ˈleɪtər]
• when Boxer had somewhat recovered: When Boxer had slightly improved [wɪn ˈbɑksər hæd ˈsəmˈwət rɪˈkəvərd]
• he was with difficulty got onto his feet: He was helped to stand up with some effort [hi wɑz wɪθ ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti gɑt ˈɔntu hɪz fit]
• and managed to limp back: And succeeded in walking with a limp [ənd ˈmænɪʤd tɪ lɪmp bæk]
• to his stall: To his individual enclosure in the barn [tɪ hɪz stɔl]
• where Clover and Benjamin had prepared: Where Clover and Benjamin had made ready [wɛr ˈkloʊvər ənd ˈbɛnʤəmən hæd priˈpɛrd]
• a good bed of straw: A comfortable bedding made of dried stalks [ə gʊd bɛd əv strɔ]
• for him: For Boxer [fər ɪm]