The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 10

The boy was back now with the sardines and the two baits wrapped in a newspaper and they went down the trail to the skiff, feeling the pebbled sand under their feet, and lifted the skiff and slid her into the water.

• The boy: a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]
• was: past tense of 'is'; linking verb [wɑz]
• back: returned to the original place [bæk]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• the sardines: small, oily fish [ðə sɑrˈdinz]
• and: conjunction; connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the two baits: two portions of food used to attract fish [ðə tu beɪts]
• wrapped: covered or enclosed in paper or cloth [ræpt]
• in: enclosed by [ɪn]
• a newspaper: a paper containing news and information [ə ˈnuzˌpeɪpər]
• and: conjunction; connecting two clauses [ənd]
• they: refers to the boy and another person [ðeɪ]
• went down: descended; moved towards a lower place [wɛnt daʊn]
• the trail: a path or track through a wild area [ðə treɪl]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the skiff: a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat [ðə skɪf]
• feeling: experiencing through the sense of touch [ˈfilɪŋ]
• the pebbled sand: sand containing small, smooth stones [ðə pebbled sænd]
• under: beneath; below [ˈəndər]
• their feet: the lower extremities of their legs [ðɛr fit]
• and: conjunction; connecting two clauses [ənd]
• lifted: raised; elevated [ˈlɪftɪd]
• the skiff: a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat [ðə skɪf]
• and: conjunction; connecting two clauses [ənd]
• slid: past tense of slide; to move smoothly along a surface [slɪd]
• her: referring to the skiff [hər]
• into: expressing movement or direction toward the inside of [ˈɪntu]
• the water: a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ðə ˈwɔtər]

''Good luck old man.''

• Good luck old man: An expression of wishing someone success, followed by the term 'old man' which can be a term of endearment or familiarity. [gʊd lək oʊld mæn]

''Good luck,'' the old man said.

• Good luck: An expression of wishing someone success. [gʊd lək]
• the old man said: The elderly man spoke. [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]

He fitted the rope lashings of the oars onto the thole pins and, leaning forward against the thrust of the blades in the water, he began to row out of the harbour in the dark.

• He fitted: He adjusted or made something suitable. [hi ˈfɪtɪd]
• the rope lashings: ropes used to fasten or secure something. [ðə roʊp ˈlæʃɪŋz]
• of the oars: belonging to the paddles used to propel a boat. [əv ðə ɔrz]
• onto the thole pins: small vertical pegs or pins that fit into the gunwale of a boat and act as fulcrums for oars. [ˈɔntu ðə θoʊl pɪnz]
• and, leaning forward: bending his body in a forward direction. [ənd ˈlinɪŋ ˈfɔrwərd]
• against the thrust: in opposition to the force. [əˈgɛnst ðə θrəst]
• of the blades: of the flat, wide parts of the oars. [əv ðə bleɪdz]
• in the water: located in the sea. [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]
• he began to row: he started to propel the boat using oars. [hi bɪˈgæn tɪ roʊ]
• out of the harbour: away from the sheltered area where boats are docked. [aʊt əv ðə ˈhɑrbər]
• in the dark: during the absence of light. [ɪn ðə dɑrk]

There were other boats from the other beaches going out to sea and the old man heard the dip and push of their oars even though he could not see them now the moon was below the hills.

• There were other boats: There existed additional vessels. [ðɛr wər ˈəðər boʊts]
• from the other beaches: originating from different coastal areas. [frəm ðə ˈəðər ˈbiʧɪz]
• going out to sea: heading towards the open ocean. [goʊɪŋ aʊt tɪ si]
• and the old man heard: and the elderly man perceived. [ənd ðə oʊld mæn hərd]
• the dip and push: the sound and motion. [ðə dɪp ənd pʊʃ]
• of their oars: of their paddles. [əv ðɛr ɔrz]
• even though: despite the fact that. [ˈivɪn ðoʊ]
• he could not see them: he was unable to visually perceive them. [hi kʊd nɑt si ðɛm]
• now the moon was below the hills: because the moon had descended behind the elevated landforms. [naʊ ðə mun wɑz bɪˈloʊ ðə hɪlz]

Sometimes someone would speak in a boat.

• Sometimes someone would speak: Occasionally, a person would utter words. [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz ˈsəmˌwən wʊd spik]
• in a boat: while situated in a vessel. [ɪn ə boʊt]

But most of the boats were silent except for the dip of the oars.

• But most of the boats: However, the majority of the vessels. [bət moʊst əv ðə boʊts]
• were silent: did not produce any sound. [wər ˈsaɪlənt]
• except for the dip of the oars: excluding the sound of the paddles entering the water. [ɪkˈsɛpt fər ðə dɪp əv ðə ɔrz]

They spread apart after they were out of the mouth of the harbour and each one headed for the part of the ocean where he hoped to find fish.

• They spread apart: They moved away from each other. [ðeɪ sprɛd əˈpɑrt]
• after they were out: once they had exited. [ˈæftər ðeɪ wər aʊt]
• of the mouth of the harbour: the opening of the sheltered area for boats. [əv ðə maʊθ əv ðə ˈhɑrbər]
• and each one headed: and every vessel directed its course. [ənd iʧ wən ˈhɛdɪd]
• for the part of the ocean: towards a specific area of the sea. [fər ðə pɑrt əv ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• where he hoped to find fish: in which the person anticipated discovering marine creatures. [wɛr hi hoʊpt tɪ faɪnd fɪʃ]

The old man knew he was going far out and he left the smell of the land behind and rowed out into the clean early morning smell of the ocean.

• The old man knew: The elderly man was aware. [ðə oʊld mæn nu]
• he was going far out: he was traveling a considerable distance. [hi wɑz goʊɪŋ fɑr aʊt]
• and he left: and he departed from. [ənd hi lɛft]
• the smell of the land behind: the scent of the earth receding. [ðə smɛl əv ðə lænd bɪˈhaɪnd]
• and rowed out: and propelled the boat. [ənd roʊd aʊt]
• into the clean early morning smell: towards the fresh scent of the beginning of the day. [ˈɪntu ðə klin ˈərli ˈmɔrnɪŋ smɛl]
• of the ocean: of the sea. [əv ðə ˈoʊʃən]

He saw the phosphorescence of the Gulf weed in the water as he rowed over the part of the ocean that the fishermen called the great well because there was a sudden deep of seven hundred fathoms where all sorts of fish congregated because of the swirl the current made against the steep walls of the floor of the ocean.

• He saw: He perceived. [hi sɔ]
• the phosphorescence: the emission of light. [ðə ˌfɑsfərˈɛsəns]
• of the Gulf weed: of the seaweed found in the Gulf. [əv ðə gəlf wid]
• in the water: within the sea. [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]
• as he rowed: while he propelled the boat. [ɛz hi roʊd]
• over the part of the ocean: across the area of the sea. [ˈoʊvər ðə pɑrt əv ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• that the fishermen called: which the people who catch fish referred to as. [ðət ðə ˈfɪʃərmɪn kɔld]
• the great well: a large, deep area. [ðə greɪt wɛl]
• because there was a sudden deep: due to the presence of an abrupt depth. [bɪˈkəz ðɛr wɑz ə ˈsədən dip]
• of seven hundred fathoms: measuring seven hundred units of depth. [əv ˈsɛvən ˈhənərd ˈfæðəmz]
• where all sorts of fish congregated: in which various types of marine creatures gathered. [wɛr ɔl sɔrts əv fɪʃ ˈkɑŋgrɪˌgeɪtɪd]
• because of the swirl: due to the circular motion. [bɪˈkəz əv ðə swərl]
• the current made: created by the flow of water. [ðə ˈkɑrənt meɪd]
• against the steep walls: in opposition to the vertical surfaces. [əˈgɛnst ðə stip wɔlz]
• of the floor of the ocean: of the seabed. [əv ðə flɔr əv ðə ˈoʊʃən]

Here there were concentrations of shrimp and bait fish and sometimes schools of squid in the deepest holes and these rose close to the surface at night where all the wandering fish fed on them.

• Here there were concentrations: In this location, there were gatherings. [hir ðɛr wər ˌkɑnsənˈtreɪʃənz]
• of shrimp and bait fish: of small crustaceans and fish used as lure. [əv ʃrɪmp ənd beɪt fɪʃ]
• and sometimes schools of squid: and occasionally groups of cephalopods. [ənd ˈsəmˌtaɪmz skulz əv skwɪd]
• in the deepest holes: within the most profound cavities. [ɪn ðə ˈdipəst hoʊlz]
• and these rose: and these ascended. [ənd ðiz roʊz]
• close to the surface: near the top layer. [kloʊz tɪ ðə ˈsərfəs]
• at night: during the hours of darkness. [æt naɪt]
• where all the wandering fish: in which all the roaming marine creatures. [wɛr ɔl ðə ˈwɑndərɪŋ fɪʃ]
• fed on them: consumed them as food. [fɛd ɔn ðɛm]

In the dark the old man could feel the morning coming and as he rowed he heard the trembling sound as flying fish left the water and the hissing that their stiff set wings made as they soared away in the darkness.

• In the dark: refers to a state of low or no light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]
• the old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• could feel: was able to perceive or sense [kʊd fil]
• the morning coming: the approach or arrival of the morning; the transition from night to day [ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ ˈkəmɪŋ]
• and as he rowed: while he propelled the boat through the water using oars [ənd ɛz hi roʊd]
• he heard: he perceived sound with his ears [hi hərd]
• the trembling sound: a sound characterized by shaking or quivering [ðə ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ saʊnd]
• as flying fish: a type of fish that can leap out of the water and glide through the air using their wing-like fins [ɛz flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]
• left the water: exited the water; jumped out of the water [lɛft ðə ˈwɔtər]
• and the hissing: a sound resembling a prolonged 's' sound [ənd ðə ˈhɪsɪŋ]
• that their stiff set wings: referring to the rigid, extended fins of the flying fish used for gliding [ðət ðɛr stɪf sɛt wɪŋz]
• made as they soared away: the sound produced as the flying fish glided or flew away [meɪd ɛz ðeɪ sɔrd əˈweɪ]
• in the darkness: in the absence of light [ɪn ðə ˈdɑrknəs]

He was very fond of flying fish as they were his principal friends on the ocean.

• He was very fond of: He liked very much; he had a strong affection for [hi wɑz ˈvɛri fɑnd əv]
• flying fish: a type of fish that can leap out of the water and glide through the air using their wing-like fins [flaɪɪŋ fɪʃ]
• as they were: because they were [ɛz ðeɪ wər]
• his principal friends: his main or most important companions [hɪz ˈprɪnsəpəl frɛndz]
• on the ocean: in the open sea [ɔn ðə ˈoʊʃən]

He was sorry for the birds, especially the small delicate dark terns that were always flying and looking and almost never finding, and he thought, the birds have a harder life than we do except for the robber birds and the heavy strong ones.

• He was sorry for: He felt pity or sadness for [hi wɑz ˈsɑri fər]
• the birds: flying animals with feathers [ðə bərdz]
• especially: in particular; above all [əˈspɛʃəli]
• the small delicate dark terns: small, fragile, dark-colored seabirds [ðə smɔl ˈdɛləkət dɑrk tərnz]
• that were always flying: that were constantly in flight [ðət wər ˈɔlˌweɪz flaɪɪŋ]
• and looking: and searching with their eyes [ənd ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• and almost never finding: and rarely succeeding in their search [ənd ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˈnɛvər ˈfaɪndɪŋ]
• and he thought: he had a thought or idea [ənd hi θɔt]
• the birds have: the birds possess or experience [ðə bərdz hæv]
• a harder life: a more difficult existence [ə ˈhɑrdər laɪf]
• than we do: compared to what we experience [ðən wi du]
• except for: excluding; with the exception of [ɪkˈsɛpt fər]
• the robber birds: birds that steal food from other birds [ðə ˈrɑbər bərdz]
• and the heavy strong ones: and the robust, powerful birds [ənd ðə ˈhɛvi strɔŋ wənz]

Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel?

• Why did they make: Why were they created [waɪ dɪd ðeɪ meɪk]
• birds so delicate and fine: birds so fragile and refined [bərdz soʊ ˈdɛləkət ənd faɪn]
• as those sea swallows: like those seabirds that resemble swallows [ɛz ðoʊz si sˈwɑloʊz]
• when the ocean: considering that the ocean [wɪn ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• can be so cruel: can be extremely harsh or merciless [kən bi soʊ kruəl]

She is kind and very beautiful.

• She is kind: The ocean is benevolent [ʃi ɪz kaɪnd]
• and very beautiful: and extremely attractive [ənd ˈvɛri ˈbjutəfəl]

But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea.

• But she can be: However, the ocean can be [bət ʃi kən bi]
• so cruel: extremely harsh or merciless [soʊ kruəl]
• and it comes so suddenly: and it happens unexpectedly [ənd ɪt kəmz soʊ ˈsədənli]
• and such birds: and birds like these [ənd səʧ bərdz]
• that fly, dipping and hunting: that fly, diving briefly, and searching for food [ðət flaɪ ˈdɪpɪŋ ənd ˈhəntɪŋ]
• with their small sad voices: with their soft, mournful calls [wɪθ ðɛr smɔl sæd ˈvɔɪsɪz]
• are made too delicately: are created too fragilely [ər meɪd tu ˈdɛləkətli]
• for the sea: to withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean [fər ðə si]