Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 68

That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the farmhouse.

• That evening: The specified night [ðət ˈivnɪŋ]
• loud laughter: noisy expression of amusement [laʊd ˈlæftər]
• and bursts of singing: sudden instances of singing [ənd bərsts əv ˈsɪŋɪŋ]
• came from: originated from [keɪm frəm]
• the farmhouse: the main house on the farm [ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

And suddenly, at the sound of the mingled voices, the animals were stricken with curiosity.

• And suddenly: And unexpectedly [ənd ˈsədənli]
• at the sound: upon hearing [æt ðə saʊnd]
• of the mingled voices: of the combined sounds of people speaking or singing [əv ðə ˈmɪŋgəld ˈvɔɪsɪz]
• the animals were stricken: the animals were affected [ðə ˈænəməlz wər ˈstrɪkən]
• with curiosity: with a strong desire to know or learn something [wɪθ ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]

What could be happening in there, now that for the first time animals and human beings were meeting on terms of equality?

• What could be happening: What might be occurring [wət kʊd bi ˈhæpənɪŋ]
• in there: inside the farmhouse [ɪn ðɛr]
• now that: since [naʊ ðət]
• for the first time: previously never [fər ðə fərst taɪm]
• animals and human beings: non-human creatures and people [ˈænəməlz ənd ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• were meeting: were gathering [wər ˈmitɪŋ]
• on terms of equality: with equal status and rights [ɔn tərmz əv ɪkˈwɑləti]

With one accord they began to creep as quietly as possible into the farmhouse garden.

• With one accord: In complete agreement [wɪθ wən əˈkɔrd]
• they began to creep: they started to move slowly and carefully [ðeɪ bɪˈgæn tɪ krip]
• as quietly as possible: with the least amount of noise [ɛz kˈwaɪətli ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]
• into the farmhouse garden: into the garden belonging to the main house on the farm [ˈɪntu ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈgɑrdən]

At the gate they paused, half frightened to go on, but Clover led the way in.

• At the gate: Indicates the location where the action begins, specifically at the entrance or barrier [æt ðə geɪt]
• they paused: They stopped briefly, indicating hesitation or uncertainty [ðeɪ pɔzd]
• half frightened: Partially scared or intimidated [hæf ˈfraɪtənd]
• to go on: To continue moving forward or proceeding with their action [tɪ goʊ ɔn]
• but Clover led the way in: Clover, a character, took the initiative and entered first [bət ˈkloʊvər lɛd ðə weɪ ɪn]

They tiptoed up to the house, and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window.

• They tiptoed up to the house: They walked quietly and carefully towards the building [ðeɪ ˈtɪpˌtoʊd əp tɪ ðə haʊs]
• and such animals as were tall enough: Referring to the animals that had sufficient height [ənd səʧ ˈænəməlz ɛz wər tɔl ɪˈnəf]
• peered in: Looked or peeked inside [pɪrd ɪn]
• at the dining-room window: Specifically, the window of the dining room [æt ðə dining-room ˈwɪndoʊ]

There, round the long table, sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs, Napoleon himself occupying the seat of honour at the head of the table.

• There: Indicates a specific location or scene [ðɛr]
• round the long table: Positioned around a table that is elongated [raʊnd ðə lɔŋ ˈteɪbəl]
• sat half a dozen farmers: Six farmers were seated [sæt hæf ə ˈdəzən ˈfɑrmərz]
• and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs: Six prominent or distinguished pigs were also seated [ənd hæf ə ˈdəzən əv ðə mɔr ˈɛmənənt pɪgz]
• Napoleon himself: Referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən hɪmˈsɛlf]
• occupying the seat of honour: Sitting in the most important or prestigious position [ˈɑkjəˌpaɪɪŋ ðə sit əv ˈɑnər]
• at the head of the table: The end of the table, typically where the most important person sits [æt ðə hɛd əv ðə ˈteɪbəl]

The pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs.

• The pigs appeared: The pigs seemed or gave the impression [ðə pɪgz əˈpɪrd]
• completely at ease: Totally comfortable and relaxed [kəmˈplitli æt iz]
• in their chairs: While sitting in their respective chairs [ɪn ðɛr ʧɛrz]

The company had been enjoying a game of cards, but had broken off for the moment, evidently in order to drink a toast.

• The company: The group of people present [ðə ˈkəmpəˌni]
• had been enjoying: Were in the process of enjoying [hæd bɪn ˌɛnˈʤɔɪɪŋ]
• a game of cards: Playing a card game [ə geɪm əv kɑrdz]
• but had broken off: Stopped or interrupted their activity [bət hæd ˈbroʊkən ɔf]
• for the moment: Temporarily [fər ðə ˈmoʊmənt]
• evidently: Apparently or clearly [ˈɛvədəntli]
• in order to drink a toast: For the purpose of making a celebratory drink [ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ drɪŋk ə toʊst]

A large jug was circulating, and the mugs were being refilled with beer.

• A large jug: A big container for liquids [ə lɑrʤ ʤəg]
• was circulating: Was being passed around [wɑz ˈsərkjəˌleɪtɪŋ]
• and the mugs: Drinking cups [ənd ðə məgz]
• were being refilled: Were being filled again [wər biɪŋ riˈfɪld]
• with beer: With the alcoholic beverage beer [wɪθ bɪr]

No one noticed the wondering faces of the animals that gazed in at the window.

• No one noticed: Nobody paid attention to [noʊ wən ˈnoʊtɪst]
• the wondering faces: The faces expressing curiosity or surprise [ðə ˈwəndərɪŋ ˈfeɪsɪz]
• of the animals: Belonging to the animals [əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• that gazed in: Who were staring or looking intently [ðət geɪzd ɪn]
• at the window: Through the window [æt ðə ˈwɪndoʊ]

Mr Pilkington, of Foxwood, had stood up, his mug in his hand.

• Mr Pilkington: A proper noun, referring to a character named Mr. Pilkington [ˈmɪstər ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]
• of Foxwood: Indicates that Mr. Pilkington is associated with a place called Foxwood, possibly his estate or farm [əv ˈfɑksˌwʊd]
• had stood up: Past perfect tense, indicating that he had risen to a standing position before the next action occurred [hæd stʊd əp]
• his mug: A drinking vessel, typically cylindrical and with a handle [hɪz məg]
• in his hand: Indicates that he was holding the mug [ɪn hɪz hænd]

In a moment, he said, he would ask the present company to drink a toast.

• In a moment: Soon; very shortly [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• he said: Indicates that he is about to speak [hi sɛd]
• he would ask: Expresses his intention to request something [hi wʊd æsk]
• the present company: The people who are currently gathered or attending [ðə ˈprɛzənt ˈkəmpəˌni]
• to drink a toast: To participate in a ritual of drinking to honor someone or something [tɪ drɪŋk ə toʊst]

But before doing so there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say.

• But before doing so: However, prior to performing that action [bət ˌbiˈfɔr duɪŋ soʊ]
• there were a few words: He has some remarks to make [ðɛr wər ə fju wərdz]
• that he felt: Expresses his personal feeling or opinion [ðət hi fɛlt]
• it incumbent upon him: That he felt obligated or duty-bound [ɪt ˌɪnˈkəmbənt əˈpɑn ɪm]
• to say: To express or utter those words [tɪ seɪ]

It was a source of great satisfaction to him, he said – and, he was sure, to all others present – to feel that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding had now come to an end.

• It was: Refers to a situation or fact [ɪt wɑz]
• a source of great satisfaction: Something that brings a lot of pleasure or contentment [ə sɔrs əv greɪt ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən]
• to him: Referring to Mr. Pilkington [tɪ ɪm]
• he said: Indicates that he is speaking [hi sɛd]
• and: Connects two similar ideas [ənd]
• he was sure: Expresses his certainty [hi wɑz ʃʊr]
• to all others present: To everyone else who is here [tɪ ɔl ˈəðərz ˈprɛzənt]
• to feel: To have the sensation or belief [tɪ fil]
• that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding: A prolonged time characterized by a lack of trust and incorrect interpretations [ðət ə lɔŋ ˈpɪriəd əv mɪˈstrəst ənd ˌmɪsəndərˈstændɪŋ]
• had now come to an end: Has finally finished or concluded [hæd naʊ kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]

There had been a time – not that he, or any of the present company, had shared such sentiments – but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded, he would not say with hostility, but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving, by their human neighbours.

• There had been: There existed at some point in the past [ðɛr hæd bɪn]
• a time: A specific period [ə taɪm]
• not that he: He is clarifying something [nɑt ðət hi]
• or any of the present company: Or anyone else who is here now [ər ˈɛni əv ðə ˈprɛzənt ˈkəmpəˌni]
• had shared such sentiments: Had felt those feelings or opinions [hæd ʃɛrd səʧ ˈsɛnəmənts]
• but there had been: However, there was a time [bət ðɛr hæd bɪn]
• a time: A period [ə taɪm]
• when the respected proprietors: When the owners who are held in high regard [wɪn ðə rɪˈspɛktɪd prəˈpraɪətərz]
• of Animal Farm: Referring to the farm in question [əv ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• had been regarded: Were viewed or considered [hæd bɪn rɪˈgɑrdɪd]
• he would not say: He is qualifying his statement [hi wʊd nɑt seɪ]
• with hostility: With unfriendly or aggressive feelings [wɪθ hɑˈstɪləti]
• but perhaps: Maybe; possibly [bət pərˈhæps]
• with a certain measure of misgiving: With some degree of doubt or apprehension [wɪθ ə ˈsərtən ˈmɛʒər əv mɪsˈgɪvɪŋ]
• by their human neighbours: By the people living nearby [baɪ ðɛr ˈjumən ˈneɪbərz]

Unfortunate incidents had occurred, mistaken ideas had been current.

• Unfortunate incidents: Bad or regrettable events [ənˈfɔrʧənət ˈɪnsədənts]
• had occurred: Had happened [hæd əˈkərd]
• mistaken ideas: Incorrect beliefs or understandings [mɪˈsteɪkən aɪˈdiəz]
• had been current: Were prevalent or widespread [hæd bɪn ˈkɑrənt]

It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood.

• It had been felt: The general opinion was [ɪt hæd bɪn fɛlt]
• that the existence: The fact that something exists [ðət ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns]
• of a farm: A piece of land used for agriculture [əv ə fɑrm]
• owned and operated by pigs: Whose owners and workers are pigs [oʊnd ənd ˈɑpərˌeɪtəd baɪ pɪgz]
• was somehow abnormal: Was considered unusual or not normal [wɑz ˈsəmˌhaʊ æbˈnɔrməl]
• and was liable: And was likely [ənd wɑz ˈlaɪəbəl]
• to have an unsettling effect: To cause worry or disturbance [tɪ hæv ən ənˈsɛtəlɪŋ ˈifɛkt]
• in the neighbourhood: In the surrounding area [ɪn ðə ˈneɪbərˌhʊd]

Too many farmers had assumed, without due enquiry, that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail.

• Too many farmers: A large number of farmers [tu ˈmɛni ˈfɑrmərz]
• had assumed: Had supposed or believed [hæd əˈsumd]
• without due enquiry: Without proper investigation or questioning [wɪˈθaʊt du ɪnkˈwaɪˌri]
• that on such a farm: That on a farm like that [ðət ɔn səʧ ə fɑrm]
• a spirit of licence and indiscipline: A feeling of excessive freedom and lack of control [ə ˈspɪrɪt əv ˈlaɪsəns ənd indiscipline]
• would prevail: Would be common or dominant [wʊd prɪˈveɪl]

They had been nervous about the effects upon their own animals, or even upon their human employees.

• They had been nervous: They were anxious or worried [ðeɪ hæd bɪn ˈnərvəs]
• about the effects: About the consequences [əˈbaʊt ðə ˈifɛkts]
• upon their own animals: On their own livestock [əˈpɑn ðɛr oʊn ˈænəməlz]
• or even: Or also [ər ˈivɪn]
• upon their human employees: On the people who work for them [əˈpɑn ðɛr ˈjumən ɪmˈplɔɪiz]

But all such doubts were now dispelled.

• But all such doubts: However, all those uncertainties [bət ɔl səʧ daʊts]
• were now dispelled: Have now been removed or eliminated [wər naʊ dɪˈspɛld]

Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes, and what did they find?

• Today: On this day [təˈdeɪ]
• he and his friends: He and the people with him [hi ənd hɪz frɛndz]
• had visited Animal Farm: Went to Animal Farm [hæd ˈvɪzɪtɪd ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• and inspected: And examined carefully [ənd ˌɪnˈspɛktɪd]
• every inch of it: All of it, completely [ˈɛvəri ɪnʧ əv ɪt]
• with their own eyes: Personally, by seeing it themselves [wɪθ ðɛr oʊn aɪz]
• and what did they find: And what was their conclusion [ənd wət dɪd ðeɪ faɪnd]

Not only the most up-to-date methods, but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere.

• Not only: In addition to other things [nɑt ˈoʊnli]
• the most up-to-date methods: The newest and most modern techniques [ðə moʊst up-to-date ˈmɛθədz]
• but a discipline and an orderliness: But also control and organization [bət ə ˈdɪsəplən ənd ən ˈɔrdərlinəs]
• which should be an example: That should serve as a model [wɪʧ ʃʊd bi ən ɪgˈzæmpəl]
• to all farmers everywhere: For all farmers in every place [tɪ ɔl ˈfɑrmərz ˈɛvriˌwɛr]

He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county.

• He believed: He thinks [hi bɪˈlivd]
• that he was right: That he is correct [ðət hi wɑz raɪt]
• in saying: In stating [ɪn seɪɪŋ]
• that the lower animals: The animals that are considered less important [ðət ðə loʊər ˈænəməlz]
• on Animal Farm: At Animal Farm [ɔn ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• did more work: Worked harder [dɪd mɔr wərk]
• and received less food: And were given less to eat [ənd rɪˈsivd lɛs fud]
• than any animals: Than all the animals [ðən ˈɛni ˈænəməlz]
• in the county: In the region [ɪn ðə ˈkaʊnti]

Indeed he and his fellow-visitors today had observed many features which they intended to introduce on their own farms immediately.

• Indeed: In fact [ˌɪnˈdid]
• he and his fellow-visitors: He and the other people who visited [hi ənd hɪz fellow-visitors]
• today: On this day [təˈdeɪ]
• had observed: Had noticed [hæd əbˈzərvd]
• many features: A lot of things [ˈmɛni ˈfiʧərz]
• which they intended: That they planned [wɪʧ ðeɪ ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]
• to introduce: To implement [tɪ ˌɪntrəˈdus]
• on their own farms: On their own agricultural lands [ɔn ðɛr oʊn fɑrmz]
• immediately: Right away [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]