It was the first time it had spoken，and Alice jumped in surprise．
it had spoken 由什么引起的从句，还有 in surprise，作方法状语吗？
下面，是我给学生做的一个详细剖析，内容全一些。
It is the first time that...句式剖析
【结构剖析】It is the first time that I have visited Beijing.
It is the first time 为主句，that I have visited Beijing. 为定语从句，修饰the time，that为关系副词，可以省略。It 为人称代词，不是形式主语，它表示“时间、次数”等定义。大家也常说：It is the first time I have visited Beijing.
其他基本变式：
1. It is the first time that...
2. This is the first time that ...
3. That is the first time that ...
【时态剖析】
It is the first time that...跟目前完成时连用，这体现了“目前完成时”的另一个使用方法特征：对过去历程的概要回顾。意味着从过去某个时间到说话时的历程（也会是人一生所历程），这跟目前完成时的“动作发生在过去，一直持续到目前”有某种关联，这里是强调次数和历程而已。比如：
This is the first time in my life that I have taken part in such a grand celebration.这是我有生以来首次参加这样盛大的庆典。
Although it is not an official Olympic event, this is the first time that Wushu has come so close to the Olympics.虽然这不是官方奥运比赛，但这是首次武术距离奥运这么近。
This is the first time that the three leaders have met together and the first time that President Roosevelt has met Marshal Stalin.这是三巨头的首次会面，同时也是罗斯福总统与斯大林元帅的初次会面。
This is the first time that a study has set out to examine whether giving up smoking has impact on memory.该研究初次着手检验戒烟是不是对记忆有影响。
But this is the first time that we’ve been able to look at everything.但这是大家首次看到全景。
This is the first time that they’ve ever had a truly stable home where they put their heads down on the same pillow each night.这是首次他们拥有了一个真的固定的住所，天天晚上他们都躺在同一个枕头上睡觉。
This is the first time that he has written in English.这是他首次用英语写作。
It is the first time that China has objected to manoeuvres in the area.这是中国首次反对在此地区举行的军事演习。
It is the first time that Mrs Obama has given her approval to the work of a single company.这是奥巴马夫人首次对一个独立企业的工作给予称赞。
It is the first time that such a large group of illegals has been uncovered.一下子揪出这样多的非法者，还是初次。
It is the first time that Stalin has left Russia since the Revolution.这也是自10月革命以来，斯大林首次离开俄国。
It is the first time that we have talked about this issue face to face.这是大家首次面对面地谈论到这件事情。
It is the first time that I have received your letter.那是我首次收到你的来信。
It is the first time that he has performed on such a big stage.这是他首次在这样大的舞台上表演。
It is the first time that she has ever lived in a city in her entire life.这是首次她完全的生活在城市里。
It is the first time that I have been invited to attend such an important meeting.这是我首次被邀请参加这么要紧的会议。
That is not the first time that the earthquake potential of a fault has been underestimated.这并非首次低估地震的潜力。
That is the first time they have experienced that.这是他们首次历程那件事。
▲ 同理，假如主句用“通常过去时”：It was the first time that...，那样从句应当用“过去完成时”，体现“过去的过去”这个语法特征。比如网友的这个句子：It was the first time it had spoken，and Alice jumped in surprise．
又如：
It was the first time that she had sung in public.
那是她初次公开演唱。
It was the first time that she had lived independently.那是她首次独立生活。
It was the first time that he had wept in nineteen years.那是他19年来首次流泪。
It was the first time that I had written with real passion.这是我首次满怀热情写作。
It was the first time that the black boy had tasted freedom.这是黑人男生首次尝到自由的滋味。
It was the first time that little Franz had listened so attentively.那是小弗朗士首次这样用心地听讲。
This was the first time he had confronted an armed robber.这是他首次面对一个武装劫匪。
This was the first time I had been treated with such respect.我是首次遭到如此的礼遇。
She was astonished; this was the first time she had heard of such things.她大吃一惊；她首次听说过如此的事。
This was the first time I had seen such a lot of snow.我首次见过这么大的雪。
