Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 61

‘“Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler, Willingdon.

• Alfred Simmonds: name of a person or company [ˈælfrɪd ˈsɪməndz]
• Horse Slaughterer: someone who kills horses, usually for meat or other products [hɔrs slaughterer]
• and: conjunction, connecting two nouns [ənd]
• Glue Boiler: someone who boils animal parts to make glue [glu ˈbɔɪlər]
• Willingdon: name of a place [willingdon]

Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal.

• Dealer: a person who buys and sells things [ˈdilər]
• in: preposition, indicating involvement or content [ɪn]
• Hides: animal skins [haɪdz]
• and: conjunction, connecting two nouns [ənd]
• Bone-Meal: ground bones used as fertilizer or animal feed [bone-meal]

Kennels Supplied.” Do you not understand what that means?

• Kennels: establishments that breed or board dogs [ˈkɛnəlz]
• Supplied: provided with goods or services [səˈplaɪd]
• Do: auxiliary verb used to form questions or emphatic statements [du]
• you: referring to the animals [ju]
• not: used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• understand: comprehend [ˌəndərˈstænd]
• what: used to ask for information specifying something [wət]
• that: referring to the writing on the van [ðət]
• means: signifies; indicates [minz]

A cry of horror burst from all the animals.

• A cry of horror: An expression of extreme fear or shock [ə kraɪ əv ˈhɔrər]
• burst: suddenly and forcefully emerged [bərst]
• from all the animals: originating from every animal present [frəm ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]

At this moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van moved out of the yard at a smart trot.

• At this moment: Precisely at this point in time [æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• the man on the box: likely refers to the driver of a vehicle, 'box' possibly referring to the driver's seat or cabin [ðə mæn ɔn ðə bɑks]
• whipped up: urged on or incited to greater speed or activity, typically by using a whip [wɪpt əp]
• his horses: the horses belonging to the man [hɪz ˈhɔrsɪz]
• and the van: the vehicle, a closed truck used for carrying goods or people [ənd ðə væn]
• moved out of: departed from [muvd aʊt əv]
• the yard: an area of ground, often enclosed, next to a building [ðə jɑrd]
• at a smart trot: at a brisk, energetic pace for a horse [æt ə smɑrt trɑt]

All the animals followed, crying out at the tops of their voices.

• All the animals: Every animal present [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• followed: went after or came after [ˈfɑloʊd]
• crying out: shouting or yelling loudly [kraɪɪŋ aʊt]
• at the tops of their voices: as loudly as possible [æt ðə tɑps əv ðɛr ˈvɔɪsɪz]

Clover forced her way to the front.

• Clover: a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]
• forced her way: pushed or struggled to move forward [fɔrst hər weɪ]
• to the front: to the leading position [tɪ ðə frənt]

The van began to gather speed.

• The van: the vehicle [ðə væn]
• began to gather speed: started to accelerate [bɪˈgæn tɪ ˈgæðər spid]

Clover tried to stir her stout limbs to a gallop, and achieved a canter. ‘Boxer!’ she cried. ‘Boxer! Boxer! Boxer!’ And just at this moment, as though he had heard the uproar outside.

• Clover: a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]
• tried to stir: attempted to rouse or move [traɪd tɪ stər]
• her stout limbs: her strong, sturdy legs [hər staʊt lɪmz]
• to a gallop: to the fastest pace of a horse [tɪ ə ˈgæləp]
• and achieved: and successfully reached [ənd əˈʧivd]
• a canter: a moderate, easy gallop [ə ˈkæntər]
• Boxer: a character's name, repeated for emphasis [ˈbɑksər]
• she cried: she shouted [ʃi kraɪd]
• And just at this moment: Precisely at this point in time [ənd ʤɪst æt ðɪs ˈmoʊmənt]
• as though he had heard: as if he had perceived the sound [ɛz ðoʊ hi hæd hərd]
• the uproar: a loud and chaotic noise [ðə ˈəˌprɔr]
• outside: in the external environment [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]

Boxer's face, with the white stripe down his nose, appeared at the small window at the back of the van.

• Boxer's face: the face of the character named Boxer [ˈbɑksərz feɪs]
• with the white stripe: having a white marking [wɪθ ðə waɪt straɪp]
• down his nose: extending along the length of his nose [daʊn hɪz noʊz]
• appeared: became visible [əˈpɪrd]
• at the small window: in the limited opening in the van [æt ðə smɔl ˈwɪndoʊ]
• at the back of the van: at the rear part of the vehicle [æt ðə bæk əv ðə væn]

‘Boxer!’ cried Clover in a terrible voice. ‘Boxer!

• Boxer: The name of the character being addressed, repeated for emphasis [‘‘boxer]
• cried: shouted; exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]
• Clover: The name of the character who is speaking [ˈkloʊvər]
• in a terrible voice: spoken with great fear, distress, or urgency [ɪn ə ˈtɛrəbəl vɔɪs]
• Boxer: The name of the character being addressed, repeated for emphasis [‘‘boxer]

Get out!

• Get out: An urgent command to leave immediately [gɪt aʊt]

Get out quickly!

• Get out: An urgent command to leave immediately, repeated for emphasis [gɪt aʊt]
• quickly: Immediately; without delay [kˈwɪkli]

All the animals took up the cry of ‘Get out.

• All the animals: Every animal present [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• took up: Joined in; started to repeat [tʊk əp]
• the cry: The shouted words [ðə kraɪ]
• of: Indicating the content of the cry [əv]
• Get out: An urgent command to leave immediately [‘‘get aʊt]

Boxer, get out!’ But the van was already gathering speed and drawing away from them.

• Boxer: The name of the character being addressed [ˈbɑksər]
• get out: An urgent command to leave immediately, repeated for emphasis [gɪt out’*’]
• But: However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]
• the van: A closed vehicle for transporting goods or people [ðə væn]
• was already: Had already begun to [wɑz ɔˈrɛdi]
• gathering speed: Increasing in velocity [ˈgæðərɪŋ spid]
• and: Connecting two related actions [ənd]
• drawing away: Moving further away [drɔɪŋ əˈweɪ]
• from them: Away from the animals who were watching [frəm ðɛm]

It was uncertain whether Boxer had understood what Clover had said.

• It: Refers to the situation or Boxer's state [ɪt]
• was uncertain: Not clear; doubtful [wɑz ənˈsərtən]
• whether: Expressing doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]
• Boxer: The name of the character [ˈbɑksər]
• had understood: Comprehended; grasped the meaning of [hæd ˌəndərˈstʊd]
• what: Referring to the information [wət]
• Clover: The name of the character [ˈkloʊvər]
• had said: Spoken words [hæd sɛd]

But a moment later his face disappeared from the window and there was the sound of a tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van.

• But: However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]
• a moment later: A short time afterward [ə ˈmoʊmənt ˈleɪtər]
• his face: Boxer's face [hɪz feɪs]
• disappeared: Vanished; was no longer visible [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]
• from the window: From the opening in the van [frəm ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]
• and: Connecting two events [ənd]
• there was: There existed; there occurred [ðɛr wɑz]
• the sound: The noise [ðə saʊnd]
• of a tremendous drumming: A very loud, rhythmic beating [əv ə trɪˈmɛndəs ˈdrəmɪŋ]
• of hoofs: The hard parts of the feet of animals like horses [əv hʊfs]
• inside the van: Within the enclosed vehicle [ˌɪnˈsaɪd ðə væn]

He was trying to kick his way out.

• He: Referring to Boxer [hi]
• was trying: Attempting [wɑz traɪɪŋ]
• to kick: To strike out with the foot [tɪ kɪk]
• his way out: To create an opening by kicking [hɪz weɪ aʊt]

The time had been when a few kicks from Boxer's hoofs would have smashed the van to matchwood.

• The time: A point in the past [ðə taɪm]
• had been: There was a period [hæd bɪn]
• when: At which [wɪn]
• a few kicks: A small number of strikes with the feet [ə fju kɪks]
• from Boxer's hoofs: From the hard parts of Boxer's feet [frəm ˈbɑksərz hʊfs]
• would have smashed: Would have broken into pieces [wʊd hæv smæʃt]
• the van: The vehicle [ðə væn]
• to matchwood: Into small pieces like matchsticks [tɪ matchwood]

But alas!

• But: However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]
• alas: An expression of sorrow or regret [əˈlæs]

his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away.

• his strength: Boxer's physical power [hɪz strɛŋθ]
• had left him: Had diminished; he was no longer as strong [hæd lɛft ɪm]
• and: Connecting two related events [ənd]
• in a few moments: After a short time [ɪn ə fju ˈmoʊmənts]
• the sound: The noise [ðə saʊnd]
• of drumming hoofs: Of the rhythmic beating of feet [əv ˈdrəmɪŋ hʊfs]
• grew fainter: Became quieter [gru ˈfeɪntər]
• and: Connecting two related events [ənd]
• died away: Gradually disappeared; faded out [daɪd əˈweɪ]

In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. ‘Comrades, comrades!’ they shouted. ‘Don't take your own brother to his death!’ But the stupid brutes, too ignorant to realise what was happening, merely set back their ears and quickened their pace.

• In desperation: In a state of extreme hopelessness leading to rash action [ɪn ˌdɛspərˈeɪʃɪn]
• the animals: The group of animals watching [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• began: Started [bɪˈgæn]
• appealing: Making a plea; begging [əˈpilɪŋ]
• to the two horses: Addressing the pair of horses pulling the van [tɪ ðə tu ˈhɔrsɪz]
• which: Referring to the horses [wɪʧ]
• drew the van: Pulled the vehicle [dru ðə væn]
• to stop: To halt the vehicle's movement [tɪ stɑp]
• Comrades: A term of address indicating shared allegiance or friendship [‘‘comrades]
• comrades: A term of address indicating shared allegiance or friendship, repeated for emphasis [comrades’*’]
• they: Referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• shouted: Exclaimed loudly [ˈʃaʊtɪd]
• Don't take: Do not lead or escort [‘‘dont teɪk]
• your own brother: A fellow animal; someone considered part of their group [jʊr oʊn ˈbrəðər]
• to his death: To the place where he will die; indicating imminent danger [tɪ hɪz death’*’]
• But: However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]
• the stupid brutes: The unintelligent animals (horses), used in a derogatory way [ðə ˈstupɪd brutes]
• too ignorant: Lacking knowledge or understanding [tu ˈɪgnərənt]
• to realise: To understand; to become aware of [tɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz]
• what: Referring to the situation [wət]
• was happening: Occurring; taking place [wɑz ˈhæpənɪŋ]
• merely: Only; simply [ˈmɪrli]
• set back: Turned backward [sɛt bæk]
• their ears: The horses' ears [ðɛr ɪrz]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• quickened: Increased [kˈwɪkənd]
• their pace: Their speed of movement [ðɛr peɪs]

Boxer's face did not reappear at the window.

• Boxer's face: Boxer's facial expression [ˈbɑksərz feɪs]
• did not reappear: Did not become visible again [dɪd nɑt ˌriəˈpɪr]
• at the window: In the opening of the van [æt ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]

Too late, someone thought of racing ahead and shutting the five-barred gate; but in another moment the van was through it and rapidly disappearing down the road.

• Too late: It was too late; the opportunity had passed [tu leɪt]
• someone: An unspecified person [ˈsəmˌwən]
• thought of: Considered; had the idea [θɔt əv]
• racing ahead: Running quickly in front [ˈreɪsɪŋ əˈhɛd]
• and: Connecting two actions [ənd]
• shutting: Closing [ˈʃətɪŋ]
• the five-barred gate: A gate with five horizontal bars [ðə five-barred geɪt]
• but: However; in contrast to what was expected [bət]
• in another moment: Very soon; shortly afterward [ɪn əˈnəðər ˈmoʊmənt]
• the van: The vehicle [ðə væn]
• was through it: Had passed through the gate [wɑz θru ɪt]
• and: Connecting two events [ənd]
• rapidly: Quickly; at a fast pace [ˈræpədli]
• disappearing: Moving out of sight [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ]
• down the road: Along the path [daʊn ðə roʊd]

Boxer was never seen again.

• Boxer: The name of the character [ˈbɑksər]
• was never seen: Was never observed again [wɑz ˈnɛvər sin]
• again: Any more; in the future [əˈgɛn]