The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 18

Then he felt the gentle touch on the line and he was happy.

• Then: At that time; after that [ðɛn]
• he: Refers to a male individual [hi]
• felt: Experienced a sensation [fɛlt]
• the gentle touch: A soft and delicate feeling [ðə ˈʤɛnəl təʧ]
• on the line: Referring to a fishing line or similar cord [ɔn ðə laɪn]
• and: Connects two clauses [ənd]
• he: Refers to the same male individual [hi]
• was happy: Experienced a feeling of joy or contentment [wɑz ˈhæpi]

''It was only his turn,'' he said. ''He'll take it.''

• It: Quotation marks indicating the start of dialogue, followed by the pronoun 'It' referring to a situation or event [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• only: Merely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• his turn: Referring to a change in direction or behavior [hɪz tərn]
• he said: Attribution of the preceding statement to a male speaker [hi sɛd]
• He'll: Contraction of 'He will', referring to the same individual [hil]
• take it: Accept or seize the opportunity [teɪk ɪt]

He was happy feeling the gentle pulling and then he felt something hard and unbelievably heavy.

• He: Refers to a male individual [hi]
• was happy: Experienced a feeling of joy or contentment [wɑz ˈhæpi]
• feeling: Experiencing a sensation [ˈfilɪŋ]
• the gentle pulling: A soft and delicate tugging [ðə ˈʤɛnəl ˈpʊlɪŋ]
• and: Connects two clauses [ənd]
• then: At that time; after that [ðɛn]
• he: Refers to the same male individual [hi]
• felt: Experienced a sensation [fɛlt]
• something hard: An object or substance that is firm and resistant to pressure [ˈsəmθɪŋ hɑrd]
• and: Connects two adjectives [ənd]
• unbelievably heavy: Extremely weighty; difficult to lift or move [ˌənbəˈlivəbli ˈhɛvi]

It was the weight of the fish and he let the line slip down, down, down, unrolling off the first of the two reserve coils.

• It: Refers to the hard and heavy sensation [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• the weight of the fish: The heaviness of the aquatic animal [ðə weɪt əv ðə fɪʃ]
• and: Connects two clauses [ənd]
• he: Refers to the same male individual [hi]
• let: Allowed [lɛt]
• the line: Referring to a fishing line or similar cord [ðə laɪn]
• slip down, down, down: Gradually descend or slide downwards [slɪp daʊn daʊn daʊn]
• unrolling: Unwinding or unwrapping [ˌənˈroʊlɪŋ]
• off: Moving away from [ɔf]
• the first: The initial one [ðə fərst]
• of the two reserve coils: Referring to extra loops or windings of the line [əv ðə tu rɪˈzərv kɔɪlz]

As it went down, slipping lightly through the old man's fingers, he still could feel the great weight, though the pressure of his thumb and finger were almost imperceptible.

• As: While [ɛz]
• it: Refers to the line [ɪt]
• went down: Descended or moved downwards [wɛnt daʊn]
• slipping lightly: Moving smoothly and effortlessly [sˈlɪpɪŋ ˈlaɪtli]
• through: Passing through [θru]
• the old man's fingers: Referring to the digits of an elderly male [ðə oʊld mænz ˈfɪŋgərz]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• still: Even now; continuously [stɪl]
• could feel: Was able to sense [kʊd fil]
• the great weight: The significant heaviness [ðə greɪt weɪt]
• though: Despite the fact that [ðoʊ]
• the pressure: The force exerted [ðə ˈprɛʃər]
• of his thumb: Referring to the digit on the hand [əv hɪz θəm]
• and finger: Referring to another digit on the hand [ənd ˈfɪŋgər]
• were almost imperceptible: Barely noticeable or undetectable [wər ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌɪmpərˈsɛptɪbəl]

''What a fish,'' he said. ''He has it sideways in his mouth now and he is moving off with it.''

• What a fish: Expression of surprise or admiration at the size or quality of the fish [wət ə fɪʃ]
• he said: Indicates who is speaking [hi sɛd]
• He: Referring to the fish [hi]
• has it sideways: The fish is holding something in a horizontal position [həz ɪt ˈsaɪdˌweɪz]
• in his mouth now: Specifies where the fish is holding it and indicates the current time [ɪn hɪz maʊθ naʊ]
• and he is moving off with it: The fish is swimming away while holding something in its mouth [ənd hi ɪz ˈmuvɪŋ ɔf wɪθ ɪt]

Then he will turn and swallow it, he thought.

• Then: Following in time or order [ðɛn]
• he will turn: The fish will change direction [hi wɪl tərn]
• and swallow it: The fish will ingest something [ənd sˈwɔloʊ ɪt]
• he thought: Indicates who is thinking [hi θɔt]

He did not say that because he knew that if you said a good thing it might not happen.

• He did not say that: He refrained from speaking about something [hi dɪd nɑt seɪ ðət]
• because: Reason or cause [bɪˈkəz]
• he knew: He was aware [hi nu]
• that if you said a good thing: If a positive statement is made [ðət ɪf ju sɛd ə gʊd θɪŋ]
• it might not happen: The positive outcome may not occur [ɪt maɪt nɑt ˈhæpən]

He knew what a huge fish this was and he thought of him moving away in the darkness with the tuna held crosswise in his mouth.

• He knew: He was aware [hi nu]
• what a huge fish: Expression of the large size of the fish [wət ə juʤ fɪʃ]
• this was: Referring to the fish [ðɪs wɑz]
• and he thought of him: He imagined the fish [ənd hi θɔt əv ɪm]
• moving away: Swimming away [ˈmuvɪŋ əˈweɪ]
• in the darkness: In the absence of light [ɪn ðə ˈdɑrknəs]
• with the tuna: Referring to a type of fish [wɪθ ðə ˈtunə]
• held crosswise: Positioned horizontally [hɛld ˈkrɔsˌwaɪz]
• in his mouth: Specifies where the tuna is being held [ɪn hɪz maʊθ]

At that moment he felt him stop moving but the weight was still there.

• At that moment: At that specific time [æt ðət ˈmoʊmənt]
• he felt him: He sensed the fish [hi fɛlt ɪm]
• stop moving: Cease movement [stɑp ˈmuvɪŋ]
• but the weight: The heaviness or resistance [bət ðə weɪt]
• was still there: The weight remained [wɑz stɪl ðɛr]

Then the weight increased and he gave more line.

• Then the weight increased: The heaviness became greater [ðɛn ðə weɪt ˌɪnˈkrist]
• and he gave more line: He released more rope or string [ənd hi geɪv mɔr laɪn]

He tightened the pressure of his thumb and finger for a moment and the weight increased and was going straight down.

• He tightened the pressure: He increased the force [hi ˈtaɪtənd ðə ˈprɛʃər]
• of his thumb and finger: Specifies which digits were used [əv hɪz θəm ənd ˈfɪŋgər]
• for a moment: For a short period of time [fər ə ˈmoʊmənt]
• and the weight increased: The heaviness became greater [ənd ðə weɪt ˌɪnˈkrist]
• and was going straight down: Moving directly downwards [ənd wɑz goʊɪŋ streɪt daʊn]

''He's taken it,'' he said. ''Now I'll let him eat it well.''

• He's: Contraction of 'He is'. 'He' refers to a male person or character previously mentioned. [hiz]
• taken it: 'taken it' implies that someone has taken something, in this context, likely bait or a hook. The commas are used for dialogue. [ˈteɪkən ɪt]
• he said: Indicates who is speaking. [hi sɛd]
• Now: Indicates a change in time or subject. [naʊ]
• I'll: Contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action. [aɪl]
• let him: Allowing someone to do something. [lɛt ɪm]
• eat it: 'it' refers to something previously mentioned, likely bait or a fish. [it ɪt]
• well: Indicates that the action of eating should be done thoroughly or completely. The commas are used for dialogue. [wɛl]

He let the line slip through his fingers while he reached down with his left hand and made fast the free end of the two reserve coils to the loop of the two reserve coils of the next line.

• He let: He allowed something to happen. [hi lɛt]
• the line: A rope or cord used for fishing. [ðə laɪn]
• slip through: To slide or move smoothly. [slɪp θru]
• his fingers: The digits of his hand. [hɪz ˈfɪŋgərz]
• while: During the time that. [waɪl]
• he reached down: He extended his arm downwards. [hi riʧt daʊn]
• with his left hand: Using his left hand. [wɪθ hɪz lɛft hænd]
• and made fast: Secured or fastened tightly. [ənd meɪd fæst]
• the free end: The unattached end. [ðə fri ɛnd]
• of the two reserve coils: Two extra or backup loops of rope. [əv ðə tu rɪˈzərv kɔɪlz]
• to the loop: A circular shape made by the rope. [tɪ ðə lup]
• of the two reserve coils: Two extra or backup loops of rope. [əv ðə tu rɪˈzərv kɔɪlz]
• of the next line: The next rope or cord. [əv ðə nɛkst laɪn]

Now he was ready.

• Now: At the present time. [naʊ]
• he was ready: He was prepared. [hi wɑz ˈrɛdi]

He had three forty-fathom coils of line in reserve now, as well as the coil he was using.

• He had: He possessed. [hi hæd]
• three forty-fathom coils of line: Three loops of rope, each forty fathoms in length. A fathom is a unit of length, typically about six feet, used especially for measuring the depth of water. [θri forty-fathom kɔɪlz əv laɪn]
• in reserve: Available as a backup. [ɪn rɪˈzərv]
• now: At the present time. [naʊ]
• as well as: In addition to. [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• the coil he was using: The loop of rope he was currently using. [ðə kɔɪl hi wɑz ˈjuzɪŋ]

''Eat it a little more,'' he said. ''Eat it well.''

• Eat it: 'Eat it' refers to consuming something, likely bait or a fish taking the bait. The commas are used for dialogue. [it ɪt]
• a little more: Indicates that the action of eating should continue. The commas are used for dialogue. [ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr]
• he said: Indicates who is speaking. [hi sɛd]
• Eat it: 'Eat it' refers to consuming something, likely bait or a fish taking the bait. [it ɪt]
• well: Indicates that the action of eating should be done thoroughly or completely. The commas are used for dialogue. [wɛl]

Eat it so that the point of the hook goes into your heart and kills you, he thought.

• Eat it: 'Eat it' refers to consuming something, likely bait or a fish taking the bait. [it ɪt]
• so that: With the result that. [soʊ ðət]
• the point of the hook: The sharp end of the hook. [ðə pɔɪnt əv ðə hʊk]
• goes into: Enters. [goʊz ˈɪntu]
• your heart: The organ that pumps blood. [jʊr hɑrt]
• and kills you: Causes death. [ənd kɪlz ju]
• he thought: Indicates who is thinking. [hi θɔt]

Come up easy and let me put the harpoon into you.

• Come up: Rise to the surface. [kəm əp]
• easy: Without resistance. [ˈizi]
• and let me: Allow me to. [ənd lɛt mi]
• put the harpoon: Insert the spear-like weapon. [pʊt ðə hɑrˈpun]
• into you: Into the fish. [ˈɪntu ju]

All right.

• All right: Okay. [ɔl raɪt]

Are you ready?

• Are you ready: Are you prepared? [ər ju ˈrɛdi]

Have you been long enough at table?

• Have you been: Have you spent time. [hæv ju bɪn]
• long enough: Sufficient time. [lɔŋ ɪˈnəf]
• at table: A metaphor for eating or feeding. [æt ˈteɪbəl]

''Now!'' he said aloud and struck hard with both hands, gained a yard of line and then struck again and again, swinging with each arm alternately on the cord with all the strength of his arms and the pivoted weight of his body.

• Now: Exclamation indicating the time for action [naʊ]
• he: Refers to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]
• aloud: In a voice that can be easily heard [əˈlaʊd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• struck: Past tense of 'strike', meaning to hit forcefully [strək]
• hard: With great force or effort [hɑrd]
• with: Preposition indicating the instrument used [wɪθ]
• both: Referring to two things or people together [boʊθ]
• hands: The terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist [hænz]
• gained: Past tense of 'gain', meaning to obtain or secure something [geɪnd]
• a yard of line: A unit of length (3 feet) of fishing line [ə jɑrd əv laɪn]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• then: At that time; after that [ðɛn]
• struck: Past tense of 'strike', meaning to hit forcefully [strək]
• again: One more time; once more [əˈgɛn]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• again: One more time; once more [əˈgɛn]
• swinging: Moving back and forth [sˈwɪŋɪŋ]
• with: Preposition indicating accompaniment or manner [wɪθ]
• each: Referring to every one of two or more things or people taken individually [iʧ]
• arm: One of the two upper limbs of the human body [ɑrm]
• alternately: In turn; one after the other [ˈɔltərnətli]
• on: Preposition indicating support or attachment [ɔn]
• the cord: A thick string or thin rope [ðə kɔrd]
• with: Preposition indicating possession or accompaniment [wɪθ]
• all: The whole of; the total extent of [ɔl]
• the strength: The quality or state of being physically strong [ðə strɛŋθ]
• of: Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]
• his arms: Plural of 'arm', referring to the upper limbs [hɪz ɑrmz]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• the pivoted weight: The weight that is balanced on a central point [ðə ˈpɪvətɪd weɪt]
• of: Preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]
• his body: The physical structure of a human being [hɪz ˈbɑdi]

Nothing happened.

• Nothing: Not anything; no single thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• happened: Past tense of 'happen', meaning to take place or occur [ˈhæpənd]

The fish just moved away slowly and the old man could not raise him an inch.

• The fish: Aquatic animal with fins and gills [ðə fɪʃ]
• just: Exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]
• moved: Past tense of 'move', meaning to go in a specified direction or manner [muvd]
• away: To a different place or direction [əˈweɪ]
• slowly: At a slow pace; not quickly [sˈloʊli]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• the old man: An elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn]
• could not: Contraction of 'could not', indicating inability [kʊd nɑt]
• raise: To lift or move to a higher position [reɪz]
• him: Referring to the fish [ɪm]
• an inch: A unit of length, equal to 1/12 of a foot [ən ɪnʧ]

His line was strong and made for heavy fish and he held it against his hack until it was so taut that beads of water were jumping from it.

• His line: The rope or cord used for fishing [hɪz laɪn]
• was: Past tense of 'be', indicating existence or state [wɑz]
• strong: Having the power to move heavy weights or perform physically demanding tasks [strɔŋ]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• made: Past participle of 'make', meaning to create or construct [meɪd]
• for: Intended to be used for [fər]
• heavy fish: Large and weighty fish [ˈhɛvi fɪʃ]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• held: Past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support [hɛld]
• it: Referring to the line [ɪt]
• against: In opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• his hack: An injury caused by striking with a sharp edge [hɪz hæk]
• until: Up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]
• it: Referring to the line [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'be', indicating existence or state [wɑz]
• so: To such a great extent [soʊ]
• taut: Stretched or pulled tight; not slack [tɔt]
• that: Introducing a clause of result [ðət]
• beads of water: Small drops of water [bidz əv ˈwɔtər]
• were: Past tense plural of 'be', indicating existence or state [wər]
• jumping: Moving suddenly upward or forward [ˈʤəmpɪŋ]
• from: Indicating the source or origin [frəm]
• it: Referring to the line [ɪt]

Then it began to make a slow hissing sound in the water and he still held it, bracing himself against the thwart and leaning back against the pull.

• Then: After that; next [ðɛn]
• it: Referring to the line [ɪt]
• began: Past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• to make: To produce or create [tɪ meɪk]
• a slow: Moving or proceeding at a low speed [ə sloʊ]
• hissing sound: A sound resembling that of a prolonged 's' sound [ˈhɪsɪŋ saʊnd]
• in: Expressing location or position within something [ɪn]
• the water: A colorless, transparent, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• still: Continuing to do something or continuing to be the case [stɪl]
• held: Past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support [hɛld]
• it: Referring to the line [ɪt]
• bracing: Prepare (oneself or something) for something difficult or unpleasant [ˈbreɪsɪŋ]
• himself: Referring to the old man [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• against: In opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the thwart: A seat across a boat on which a rower sits [ðə θwɔrt]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• leaning: Be in or assume a sloping position [ˈlinɪŋ]
• back: The rear surface of a body [bæk]
• against: In opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the pull: The force exerted when something is pulled [ðə pʊl]

The boat began to move slowly off toward the north-west.

• The boat: A small vessel for traveling on water [ðə boʊt]
• began: Past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• to move: To go in a specified direction or manner [tɪ muv]
• slowly: At a slow pace; not quickly [sˈloʊli]
• off: Away from a place or point [ɔf]
• toward: In the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• the north-west: The direction midway between north and west [ðə north-west]