Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 8

‘No,’ said Snowball firmly. ‘We have no means of making sugar on this farm.

• No: Expression of disagreement or refusal [‘‘no’*’]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Snowball: Name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• firmly: In a resolute and unwavering manner [ˈfərmli]
• We: Referring to a group including the speaker [‘‘we]
• have: To possess or hold something [hæv]
• no means: lacking the resources or methods [noʊ minz]
• of making: the process of creating or producing [əv ˈmeɪkɪŋ]
• sugar: a sweet crystalline substance [ˈʃʊgər]
• on this farm: located on this agricultural land [ɔn ðɪs fɑrm]

Besides, you do not need sugar.

• Besides: In addition to what has already been said [ˌbiˈsaɪdz]
• you: Referring to the person or people being addressed [ju]
• do not need: lacking the requirement for something [du nɑt nid]
• sugar: a sweet crystalline substance [ˈʃʊgər]

‘And shall I still be allowed to wear ribbons in my mane?’ asked Mollie.

• And: Used to introduce an additional question or statement [‘‘and]
• shall I: Expressing a future action or possibility, often used in questions [ʃæl aɪ]
• still: Continuing to do something as before [stɪl]
• be allowed: Given permission to do something [bi əˈlaʊd]
• to wear: To have something on one's body as clothing or adornment [tɪ wɛr]
• ribbons: Narrow strips of fabric, often used for decoration [ˈrɪbənz]
• in my mane: The long hair on the back of a horse's or lion's neck, belonging to the speaker [ɪn maɪ meɪn]
• asked: Past tense of 'ask', indicating a question was posed [æst]

‘Comrade,’ said Snowball, ‘those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery.

• Comrade: A term of address used among socialists or communists [‘‘comrade’*’]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• Snowball: Name of a character [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• those ribbons: Referring to specific decorative strips of fabric [‘‘those ˈrɪbənz]
• that you: Referring to the person being addressed [ðət ju]
• are so devoted to: Showing great love, care, and dedication to something [ər soʊ dɪˈvoʊtɪd tɪ]
• are: Present tense of 'be', linking the subject to the description [ər]
• the badge: A sign or token indicating membership or status [ðə bæʤ]
• of slavery: The state of being owned and controlled by another person [əv sˈleɪvəri]

Mollie agreed, but she did not sound very convinced.

• Mollie: Name of a character [ˈmɑli]
• agreed: Past tense of 'agree', indicating consent or approval [əˈgrid]
• but: Conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• she: Referring to Mollie [ʃi]
• did not sound: Did not give the impression of [dɪd nɑt saʊnd]

The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses, the tame raven.

• The pigs: A group of animals on the farm [ðə pɪgz]
• had: Past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• an even harder struggle: A more difficult and challenging effort [ən ˈivɪn ˈhɑrdər ˈstrəgəl]
• to counteract: To neutralize or oppose the effects of something [tɪ ˈkaʊntərˌækt]
• the lies: False statements made with the intention to deceive [ðə laɪz]
• put about: Spread or circulated [pʊt əˈbaʊt]
• by Moses: Referring to the source of the lies, a character named Moses [baɪ ˈmoʊzɪs]
• the tame raven: A domesticated black bird [ðə teɪm ˈreɪvən]

Moses, who was Mr. Jones’s especial pet, was a spy and a tale-bearer, but he was also a clever talker.

• Moses: Name of a character [ˈmoʊzɪs]
• who: Referring to Moses [hu]
• was: Past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]
• Mr. Jones’s: Belonging to Mr. Jones [ˈmɪstər ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• especial pet: A particularly favored animal companion [əˈspɛʃəl pɛt]
• was: Past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]
• a spy: A person who secretly collects and reports information [ə spaɪ]
• and: Conjunction used to connect related words or phrases [ənd]
• a tale-bearer: Someone who maliciously gossips or informs on others [ə tale-bearer]
• but: Conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• he: Referring to Moses [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'be', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]
• also: In addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]
• a clever talker: Someone skilled at speaking persuasively or deceptively [ə ˈklɛvər ˈtɔkər]

He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain, to which all animals went when they died.

• He: Referring to Moses [hi]
• claimed: Stated or asserted to be true, often without proof [kleɪmd]
• to know: To have knowledge or awareness of something [tɪ noʊ]
• of the existence: The fact or state of living or being real [əv ðə ɪgˈzɪstəns]
• of a mysterious country: A land that is strange, unknown, or difficult to understand [əv ə mɪˈstɪriəs ˈkəntri]
• called: Named or known as [kɔld]
• Sugarcandy Mountain: Name of a fictional place [sugarcandy ˈmaʊntən]
• to which: To the place or situation that [tɪ wɪʧ]
• all animals: Every animal [ɔl ˈænəməlz]
• went: Past tense of 'go', indicating movement to a place [wɛnt]
• when they died: At the time of their death [wɪn ðeɪ daɪd]

Their most faithful disciples were the two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover.

• Their: belonging to or associated with the people or animals previously mentioned [ðɛr]
• most faithful: most loyal and reliable [moʊst ˈfeɪθfəl]
• disciples: followers or students of a teacher or leader [dɪˈsaɪpəlz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', linking the subject to the description [wər]
• the two cart-horses: specifically, two horses used for pulling carts [ðə tu cart-horses]
• Boxer and Clover: the names of the two cart-horses [ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər]

These two had great difficulty in thinking anything out for themselves, but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers, they absorbed everything that they were told, and passed it on to the other animals by simple arguments.

• These two: referring back to Boxer and Clover [ðiz tu]
• had: past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• great difficulty: a significant challenge or problem [greɪt ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]
• in thinking: the act of using one's mind to consider or reason about something [ɪn ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
• anything out: any idea or concept [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ aʊt]
• for themselves: independently; without help from others [fər ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• but: a conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• having once accepted: after they had accepted at some point in the past [ˈhævɪŋ wəns ækˈsɛptɪd]
• the pigs: referring to the pigs as a group [ðə pɪgz]
• as their teachers: in the role of instructors or guides [ɛz ðɛr ˈtiʧərz]
• they: referring to Boxer and Clover [ðeɪ]
• absorbed: took in or assimilated information [əbˈzɔrbd]
• everything: all the information or teachings [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• that: introducing a relative clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the pigs [ðeɪ]
• were told: were instructed or informed [wər toʊld]
• and: a conjunction linking two clauses [ənd]
• passed it on: relayed or communicated the information [pæst ɪt ɔn]
• to the other animals: to the remaining animals on the farm [tɪ ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]
• by simple arguments: using straightforward and easy-to-understand reasoning [baɪ ˈsɪmpəl ˈɑrgjəmənts]

They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn, and led the singing of 'Beasts of England', with which the meetings always ended.

• They: referring to Boxer and Clover [ðeɪ]
• were unfailing: were always present and reliable [wər ənˈfeɪlɪŋ]
• in their attendance: in going to or being present at [ɪn ðɛr əˈtɛndəns]
• at the secret meetings: at gatherings held in private [æt ðə ˈsikrɪt ˈmitɪŋz]
• in the barn: inside the barn building [ɪn ðə bɑrn]
• and: a conjunction linking two clauses [ənd]
• led the singing: initiated and guided the singing [lɛd ðə ˈsɪŋɪŋ]
• with which: with the song that [wɪθ wɪʧ]
• the meetings: the gatherings [ðə ˈmitɪŋz]
• always ended: invariably concluded [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈɛndɪd]

Now, as it turned out, the Rebellion was achieved much earlier and more easily than anyone had expected.

• Now: used to introduce a new topic or development [naʊ]
• as it turned out: as events happened; as it became clear [ɛz ɪt tərnd aʊt]
• the Rebellion: a revolt or uprising against authority [ðə rɪˈbɛljən]
• was achieved: was successfully accomplished [wɑz əˈʧivd]
• much earlier: significantly sooner than expected [məʧ ˈərliər]
• and: a conjunction linking two adjectives [ənd]
• more easily: with less difficulty than expected [mɔr ˈizəli]
• than anyone: compared to what anyone [ðən ˈɛniˌwən]
• had expected: had anticipated [hæd ɪkˈspɛktɪd]

In past years Mr. Jones, although a hard master, had been a capable farmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days.

• In past years: during previous years [ɪn pæst jɪrz]
• Mr. Jones: the name of the farmer [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• although: despite the fact that [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
• a hard master: a strict and demanding owner [ə hɑrd ˈmæstər]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be' [hæd bɪn]
• a capable farmer: a competent and skilled agriculturalist [ə ˈkeɪpəbəl ˈfɑrmər]
• but: a conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• of late: recently; in recent times [əv leɪt]
• he: referring to Mr. Jones [hi]
• had fallen on evil days: had experienced a period of misfortune and hardship [hæd ˈfɑlən ɔn ˈivəl deɪz]

He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit, and had taken to drinking more than was good for him.

• He: referring to Mr. Jones [hi]
• had become: had changed into [hæd bɪˈkəm]
• much disheartened: very discouraged and depressed [məʧ dɪsˈhɑrtənd]
• after losing money: following the loss of money [ˈæftər ˈluzɪŋ ˈməni]
• in a lawsuit: in a legal case [ɪn ə ˈlɔˌsut]
• and: a conjunction linking two clauses [ənd]
• had taken to drinking: had started drinking alcohol regularly [hæd ˈteɪkən tɪ ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ]
• more than: in excess of [mɔr ðən]
• was good for him: was beneficial to his health [wɑz gʊd fər ɪm]

For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen, reading the newspapers, drinking, and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer.

• For whole days: for entire days [fər hoʊl deɪz]
• at a time: consecutively [æt ə taɪm]
• he: referring to Mr. Jones [hi]
• would lounge: would relax or recline lazily [wʊd laʊnʤ]
• in his Windsor chair: in his specific type of chair [ɪn hɪz ˈwɪnzər ʧɛr]
• in the kitchen: in the kitchen room [ɪn ðə ˈkɪʧən]
• reading: the act of reading [ˈrɛdɪŋ]
• the newspapers: the printed news publications [ðə ˈnuzˌpeɪpərz]
• drinking: consuming alcohol [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ]
• and: a conjunction linking two clauses [ənd]
• occasionally: sometimes; now and then [ɔˈkeɪʒənəˌli]
• feeding: giving food to [ˈfidɪŋ]
• Moses: the name of a raven [ˈmoʊzɪs]
• on crusts of bread: with hard pieces of bread [ɔn krəsts əv brɛd]
• soaked in beer: immersed in beer [soʊkt ɪn bɪr]

His men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the buildings wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed.

• His men: the people working for him [hɪz mɛn]
• were idle: were lazy and not working [wər ˈaɪdəl]
• and dishonest: and not truthful or trustworthy [ənd dɪˈsɑnəst]
• the fields: the areas of land used for growing crops [ðə fildz]
• were full of weeds: were overgrown with unwanted plants [wər fʊl əv widz]
• the buildings: the structures on the farm [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋz]
• wanted roofing: needed repairs to the roofs [ˈwɔntɪd ˈrufɪŋ]
• the hedges: the rows of bushes forming boundaries [ðə ˈhɛʤɪz]
• were neglected: were not properly maintained [wər nɪˈglɛktɪd]
• and: a conjunction linking two clauses [ənd]
• the animals: the farm animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were underfed: were not given enough food [wər underfed]