Animal Farm Study Guide

Contents
About Animal Farm 2

Introduction 3
Before You Read: 4
Chapter I 8
Chapter II 9
Chapter III 13
Chapter IV 15
Chapters I-IV Review/Reflection 17
Chapter V 18
Chapter VI 23
George Chapter VII 29
Chapter V-VII Review/Reflection 35
Orwell’s
L
Chapter VIII 36
A
Chapter IX 42
NI M
Chapter X 45
A
Chapter VIII-X Review/Reflection 47
After You Read: Activities 48
Animal Farm: The Complete Novel 50
FA R M A STUDY
GUIDE
DRAFT
August 2
Student’s Book 012
About Animal Farm Introduction
About the story 1. You are about to read a story about farm
Animal Farm tells the story of Farmer Jones’ animals who rise up in rebellion and take over the animals that begin running a farm without the
farm. Tired of being exploited for human gain, the animals—who have human characteristics help of any humans. Look at the two different
such as the power of speech—agree to create a new and fairer society. The novel reads like a covers of the storybook.
fairy tale, and Orwell originally subtitled it as one, but it is also a satire containing a message A. Both covers are quite similar. What do
about world politics and especially the former Soviet Union. they show?
In a satire, the writer attacks a serious issue by presenting it in a ridiculous, funny way. Orwell B. What do you think will happen in the
uses satire to expose what he saw as the myth of Soviet Socialism. The novel tells a story that story based on the two covers of this
people of all ages can understand, but it also tells us a second story— that of the real-life book?
Revolution.
Since the Bolshevik Revolution of the early 1900s, the former Soviet Union had captured
the attention of the world with its socialist experiment. This form of government had some
supporters in Britain and the United States, but Orwell was against this system.
About the author Identifying Animals
Orwell began life as Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell was Instructions: Listen to the teacher read the passage and fill in the missing words from the
a name he adopted later). He spent his early years in India word selection below.
as a lonely boy who liked to make up stories and talk with
imaginary companions. He began to “write” before he even raised behind respected themselves
knew how. At the age of eight, Orwell’s parents sent him lantern very Pincher Muriel
to a boarding school in England. He began to write poems goat small enormous Before
and short stories as a way to deal with his boredom and
straw figure ordinary
loneliness.
perched majestic stripe
Later, instead of going on to university, he decided to take a
job in Burma with the Indian Imperial Police. Orwell wrote
about this experience in Burmese Days (1934) and in the
essay “Shooting an Elephant.” Returning to England to recover At one end of the big barn, on a sort of ______ platform, Major was already ensconced on
from a chronic lung illness, Orwell began his serious writing his bed of straw, under a _______ which hung from a beam. He was twelve years old and had
career. Over the next two decades, he wrote newspaper lately grown rather stout, but he was still a ________-looking pig, with a wise and benevolent
columns, novels, essays, and radio broadcasts, most of which appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. _________ long the other
grew out of his own personal experience. animals began to arrive and make ________comfortable after their different fashions. First
came the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie, and _______, and then the pigs, who settled down in the
About the module
______ immediately in front of the platform. The hens________ themselves on the window-sills,
This module is designed to provide students with reading and listening the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters, the sheep and cows lay down _______ the pigs and
practice. It contains many reading exercises and activities as well as began to chew the cud. The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking
many group discussion questions. Students will be able to practice ______ slowly and setting down their vast, hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be
George group speaking and reading as well as have a better understanding some ______ animal concealed in the straw. Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching
Orwell’s
of new words and definitions. There are also many critical thinking
L
ANIMA
middle life, who had never quite got her ______ back after her fourth foal. Boxer was an ________
exercises (predicting, inferring, points of view, analysis, debating, etc.) beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ________ horses put together. A
FARM
A STUDY
GUIDE
white ________ down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance, and in fact he was
Student’s Book
not of first-rate intelligence, but he was universally ___________ for his steadiness of character
and tremendous powers of work. After the horses came __________, the white __________, and
Benjamin, the donkey.
2 Animal Farm: A study guide - Student’s Book Animal Farm: A study guide - Student’s Book 3
The Russian Revolution
Before You Read: The revolution in Animal Farm has a lot in common with the real-life Russian Revolution. Here is a
quick introduction to that revolution. It will help you understand a little of what Orwell refers to in
the book.
Respond: An Equal Society

Instructions: Respond to one of the following two writing prompts in your notebook.
I n the mid 1800s, the capitalist system was strong in Europe and America,
but the profits of businesses came at the expense of workers who laboured
14 to 18 hours a day in unsafe conditions. There were no child labour
1. Imagine you must design a society where everyone is equal. This may mean equal in wealth, laws, and wages were barely livable for the common worker. In 1847, an
equal in education, equal in opportunity, but it is up to you to decide what “equal” means. international workers’ group asked Karl Marx, a German philosopher, to
A. List five rules or laws that you would need to make so that everyone is equal. (For example, draw up a plan for their organisation. The group was called the Communist
everyone must wear green longyi and white shirts.) League. Marx wrote a plan called The Manifesto of the Communist Party.
B. Can you predict any problems that might result from these rules and laws? (For example,
some people don’t like the color green.)
2. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity*, but if you want to test a
M arx envisioned a workers’ revolt followed by a kind of paradise
where each person would work according to his or her ability and
receive money according to his or her need. Marx saw the final stage of his Karl Marx
man’s character, give him power.” What is your reaction to this quote? Communist system being total worldwide economic equality. About this time, labour laws were
Adversity: (n.) great difficulty. People in poverty face much adversity, such as lack passed in Western Europe and America that made the workplace safer and more tolerable for
of food and safe housing. workers. The worldwide revolution that Marx foresaw never came to pass.
T he people that followed Marx’s thinking were called Socialists. The

Socialists split into two groups. The milder group wanted to bring about
What is a Revolution? Communism slowly by passing new laws. The other group (we’ll call them
Communists) stuck to Marx’s original idea of a major worker revolt. The
Before reading Animal Farm, it is important that you think about revolutions, why they occur and Communists were a small extremist group compared to the total number of
the positive and negative effects of these revolutions. Socialists. They formed a political party called the Bolshevik Party, which was
Lenin led by a man named Vladimir Lenin.
1. Brainstorm two or three revolutions that occurred at least ten years ago. Why did these
occur? Record your responses on the board. As a whole class:
A. Discuss the causes and effects of the various revolutions.
R ussia at this time was being poorly managed by a Czarist government, ruled by Czar Nicholas
II. Most of the Russian people were still underpaid workers on land owned by a small number
of wealthy landlords.
B. What do these revolutions have in common.
C. Are revolutions successful? How yes, how no? Beginnings of the Russian Revolution
2. Respond individually in your notebook:
A. In your opinion, are revolutions successful? B y 1917, the suffering was too great and groups
of people began a revolution. The Bolshevik
Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, took a role in leading
B. Given that we know that revolutions have at least some negative effects, what would cause
someone to start a revolution? this revolution. Czar Nicholas II was forced to
leave power, and later he and his family were
executed. The Bolshevik Party under Lenin took
control of the government. From 1918 to 1921
other countries that did not want Communism to
spread invaded Russia. However, the Communists
were successful, and they changed the name of the
country from Russia to the Soviet Union. They
often called each other “comrade” which means An early Soviet propaganda poster
someone who is a friend and equal.
Identifying Animals Tracking characters
Instructions: Match the pictures of these farm animals with the words at the bottom of this The major characters in Animal Farm are introduced in the first four chapters. As you read, think
page. about the purpose of each of Orwell’s characters.
Instructions: Complete the table by noting details that describe each character or by
listing key actions of each character. This table will help you keep track of characters in the future
chapters.
Character Characteristics/Actions/Purpose
Old Major Gets the revolution started, advocates for real

change.
1. Boar ______ 9. Sheep ______

2. Raven ______ 10. Cow ______
3. Mare and foal ______ 11. Horse ______
4. Calf ______ 12. Rat ______
5. Hen ______ 13. Donkey ______
6. Sow ______ 14. Goat ______
7. Dog ______ 15. Piglet ______
8. Pigeon ______ 16. Cat ______
Discussion
Chapter I 1. Look at the song “Beasts of England.”
A. What is the mood of the song?
B. What are some of the images in the song?
C. Why do you think the animals liked the song so much?
Pre-reading D. Why are songs a good way to communicate ideas and
encourage support?
Useful Vocabulary E. Do you have any revolutionary songs in your culture?
cannibalism- n. practice of eating one’s own kind (e.g. A human eating a human) 2. What are the rules Major gives the animals? Can you
cryptic- adj. mysterious or obscure think of analogies in your culture?
gambol - v. to skip about in play 3. Do you think all the animals will follow the rules?
ignominious - adj. shameful; dishonorable
indefatigable- adj. untiring
parasitical- adj. like a parasite; gaining benefits from a host it injures Who?
Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description.
Predictions
1. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed.
Old Major, the prize boar, has a dream in Chapter I. Read the paragraph below and make 2. “Our labour tills the soil, our dung fertilises it, and yet there is not one of us that owns more
predictions about his dream. What will he say? Who will he say it to? than his bare skin.”
As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm 3. A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance.
buildings. Word had gone round during the day that old Major, the prize Middle White boar, had a 4. He was still a majestic looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance.
strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals.
Comprehension
Choose the best answer. Chapter II
1. Where does this story take place? 5. What does Major mean when he says “no
A. At a zoo. animal escapes the cruel knife”?
B. On a farm.
C. In a city.
A. The farmer will kill all the animals.
B. Knives are dangerous.
Pre-reading
C. Animals are slow.
2. How do the animals feel about Major? Useful Vocabulary
A. The animals make fun of Major Answer the questions
pre-eminent- adj. superior to or notable above all others; outstanding
B. The animals ignore Major. 6. Why did the animals wait for Mr. Jones to expounded- v. to present and explain a theory or idea systematically and in detail
C. The animals respect Major. go to bed? spinney- n. a small area of trees and branches
3. Major describes the current life of animals 7. Who or what did Mr. Jones shoot his gun unalterable- adj. not able to be changed.
as at? Why?
A. Happy. 8. Major uses the phrase “produce of our Predictions
B. Miserable. labour” several times. What are some
C. Unimportant. examples of produce of the animals’ 1. Based on what has happened in Chapter I, what do you think will happen in Chapter II?
4. Who does Major say is responsible for the labour? 2. With a partner, discuss all of the positive and negative aspects of having a farm run by
animals’ condition? 9. When will the revolution which Major animals who are all equal. Do you see any problems that may occur? Write down four
negative and positive points in the table on the next page.
A. Pigs. speaks about happen?
B. Human beings. 10. What solution does Major suggest to solve
C. Cows. the animals’ problems?
12. What does Orwell mean when he says Answer the questions.
Positives Negatives Squealer can “turn black into white”? 14. Why is it difficult for the pigs to
A. Squealer is a good painter. convince the animals of the principles of
B. Squealer is good at magic. Animalism?
C. Squealer is good at speaking.
15. What are some of the animals’ objections
13. What did the animals decide to do with
to Animalism?
the farmhouse?
A. Turn it into a museum. 16. What did the animals remember the
B. Burn it down. morning after the Rebellion? How did
C. Use it for sleeping in. they react?
Discussion
1. Why don’t the pigs like the pet raven Moses’ stories about Sugarcandy Mountain?
2. Think about the events that began the Revolution - Jones’ mismanagement of the farm,
hungry cows, violence by the human beings - as well as all the thinking, teaching, planning,
Comprehesion
and organizing that the pigs did. In your opinion would it have been possible for the
Revolution to have happened without Animalism?
Choose the best answer. 3. The words Orwell uses to describe the morning after the revolution are very descriptive.
1. What effect did Major’s speech have on 7. Why does Snowball tell Mollie she cannot What sort of words and images does he use? What does he want us to think about the farm?
the more intelligent animals? wear ribbons?
4. The pigs begin to slowly take
A. They began to write more songs. A. Ribbons symbolize slavery.
more control than the others.
B. They looked at life in a very different B. Ribbons are bad for a horse’s health.
Can you find some examples of
way. C. All the ribbons were taken by Jones and
this in Chapter II?
C. They decided to stop working. his wife.
2. Which animals begin teaching the others? 8. What did Squealer do that was so 5. The animals change the name
convincing to the other animals? of the farm from Manor Farm
A. The pigs.
to Animal Farm. Why is this
B. The cows. A. Move his tail.
important? What does changing
C. The horses. B. Use pictures and diagrams.
a name do for ideas, behavior,
C. Talk very loudly.
3. Why did the cows break into the power, etc.? Can you think of
storeshed? 9. Which animal leaves the farm with the any examples in the real world?
A. They wanted more air. humans?
B. Mr. Jones asked them to. A. Bluebell the dog.
C. They were hungry. B. Moses the raven. Who?
C. Benjamin the donkey.
4. What didn’t Mr. Jones do? Instructions: Identify the
A. Pay his bills. 10. What impressed the animals about the character from the quote or
B. Feed the animals. Jones’ house? description.
C. Read the newspaper. A. There was beer in the cellar. 1. “Can you not understand that
B. It was so clean. liberty is worth more than
5. What did the animals do to Mr. Jones and
C. The luxury. ribbons?”
his men?
A. Had a party for them. 11. What ability do the pigs “reveal” that they 2. He was a spy and a tale-bearer,
B. Locked them in the house. have? but he was also a clever talker.
C. Kicked them off of the farm. A. They can fly. 3. He could turn black into white.
B. They can read and write.
6. What do the animals destroy?
C. They can play piano.
A. The straw that they ate.
B. The farmhouse where the Joneses lived.
C. Things that remind them of Mr. Jones’
power.
The Seven Commandments
Instructions: Imagine you were in the same situation as the animals in the book. Think about
the rules/laws you would want everyone to follow. Write 5-10 rules in the boxes below.
Chapter III
Discuss and compare your rules/laws with a partner.
Pre-reading
Instructions: Match the words with their definitions.
Useful Vocabulary Definition

1. implement- n. a. a tool or instrument used in doing work
2. welfare- n. b. to give out sparingly or in small quantities
3. resolution- n. c. a brief statement expressing the guiding principles of a person
4. motto- n. or organisation
5. maxim- n. d. possible solution to a problem, voted on by an organisation
6. dole out- v. e. an expression, usually a general truth or principle
7. seclusion- n. f. to be hidden, in secret, not easily seen
g. an individual’s health and well-being
Predictions
At the end of Chapter II, the animals have freed themselves from Mr. Jones and his men. Now
they must take care of themselves. What kinds of decisions do you think they will have to make?
What will the animals do?
Comprehension
Choose the best answer.
1. What was the problem with the farm 4. Why did the animals enjoy their food
tools? more?
A. They were broken. A. The animals produced it for themselves.
B. They were made for human hands. B. Muriel is a better cook than Mr. Jones.
C. The animals had burned them. C. They were able to drink milk with their
meals.
2. Why did Boxer ask the cockerels to call
him a half-hour earlier in the morning? 5. Where do you find the pictures of a hoof
A. It takes him a long time to get ready. and horn?
B. He is a heavy sleeper. A. On the barn.
C. He wanted to do more work. B. On the sign for the farm.
C. On the new flag.
3. Snowball’s committees and programs
were not very successful except for which 6. Who enjoyed the slogan “Four legs good,
Discuss these questions as a class. one? two legs bad,” the most?
A. Egg Production Committee. A. The Sheep.
1. Are the Seven Commandments sufficient to maintain order on the farm?
B. Clean Tails League. B. Boxer.
2. Are there any commandments we would wish to add? C. Reading and writing classes. C. Muriel.
3. Are there any commandments we would wish to delete?
7. Who takes the puppies away for an 10. What are Boxer’s strong points? Functions of How does my Examples in Animal Farm Why does this function
education? Government community try to develop at this particular
11. Who did the most speaking in the Sunday
A. Boxer. meetings? accomplish this point in the story?
B. Napoleon. function?
C. Snowball. 12. Who could never agree in the Sunday
meetings? Economics
8. What happened to the milk and apples?
13. Why do you think the cat joined the Re- Leadership
A. The pigs took them to eat.
Education Committee?
B. The sheep took them to sell.
Ideology Teaching values, Old Major’s dream, the Need to convince animals
C. Mr. Jones destroyed them. 14. Why did Snowball summarize the Seven
Commandments into “Four legs good, two how to treat one concept of Animalism. of the need to rebel
9. What does Squealer say to make the legs bad”? another, etc. against Jones. Need to
animals afraid?
15. Where did the new puppies go? For what unify the members of
A. If the pigs aren’t healthy, Mr. Jones will
come back. reason? Animal Farm into one
B. If the animals don’t work hard, they community.
will be hungry. Education Build schools, pay Teaching animals
C. If the animals eat the milk and apples,
teachers, diplomas, to read, teaching
they will get sick.
exams. animals the Sevem
Discussion Commandments
Law
1. What further examples of the difference
between the pigs and the other animals Security
occur in this chapter?
2. What shows that there are already problems Other
in the leadership of the new government?
3. Considering the pigs are in charge, do you
think it is fair that only the pigs are allowed
to drink the milk produced? Why or why not? Chapter IV
Who?
Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description. Pre-reading Definition
1. “Day and night we are watching over your welfare.” a. to run away
Useful Vocabulary b. a surprise attack
2. He was the admiration of everybody.
3. They did not work, but directed and supervised the others. 1. anniversary- n. c. to run directly at someone in order to make an attack
2. charge - v. d. an entrance, especially of an armed force, as if to take
4. They continued to behave very much as before, and when treated with generosity simply
3. military decoration- n. over
took advantage of it.
4. cowshed- n. e. an adventure or exciting story
5. retreat- v. f. a medal given as an award, usually pinned on a
A Successful Society 6. invasion- n. uniform, in honor of special bravery or success
7. exploit- n. g. a celebration that happens at regular intervals to
1. Instructions:: Think about the essential functions of government needed for a society to 8. rebelliousness- n. remember an important event
be successful. The word “function” can be thought of as job. Examples could be: Making sure 9. ambush- n. h. a shelter for cows
that police officers are honest, teachers are well-trained, etc.
i. the attitude of wanting to make a revolution, or general
A. Write these ideas in your notebook. Instructions: Match the disobedience
B. Get together with another student and discuss your ideas. words with their definitions.
C. Share your ideas with the whole class.
Predictions
2. Instructions: Now think of how your community functions and how the government
works. Use this information and compare it to Animal Farm using the table on the next page. Looking again at the list of words above, what do you think will happen in Chapter IV? Who will be
There are a number of different categories to fill in. A few examples have been given for you involved?
to get started.
Comprehension Who?
Choose the best answer. Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description.
1. Which is closest in meaning to, “Snowball 5. “‘Beasts of England’ was irrepressible.” 1. These two disliked each other so much that it was difficult for them to come to any
flung his fifteen stone against Jones’ legs.” From the context, “irrepressible” means: agreement, even in defence of their own interests.
A. Threw fifteen small stones at Jones. A. Not repressed. 2. Most of this time [he] had spent sitting in the taproom of the Red Lion at Willingdon...
B. Ran into Jones with his heavy weight. B. Difficult to stop.
C. Threw Jones’ bullets back at him. C. Free from oppression.
2. There is a description of animals on other Answer the questions Chapters I-IV Review/Reflection
farms: “Bulls which had always been
6. How did human beings respond to the
tractable suddenly turned savage, sheep
animals singing “Beasts of England”?
Respond
broke down hedges and devoured the
clover, cows kicked the pails over, hunters 7. Why would Frederick and Pilkington be
refused their fences and shot their riders threatened by Animal Farm?
on to the other side. Above all, the tune Respond to the questions using your own words.
8. What was Snowball’s strategy to win the
and even the words of “Beasts of England” battle? 1. What is your reaction to the animals’ revolution?
were known everywhere.” 2. Do you sympathize with the animals’ complaints and goals? Why or why not?
What are these examples of? 9. How did Snowball know what to do?
A. Other animals’ rebelliousness. 10. What do the animals do to celebrate their
B. Other animals’ calmness. victory? Recall and Interpret
C. Other animals’ apathy.
11. After reading about the Battle of the 1. Describe how the Rebellion takes place.
3. In the first paragraph, the pigeons were Cowshed, what can we say of Snowball’s 2. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cows’ milk? Why do the other animals allow this to
sent out to mingle with the animals on character? occur? What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?
neighboring farms. To “mingle” probably
Answer true or false. 3. What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution?
means:
A. Marry. 12. The other farmers were really good 4. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the
B. Mix with. friends with Mr. Jones and wanted to help stable-boy’s death is the appropriate reaction to have during a
C. Destroy. him. revolution?
D. Fight. 13. The animals were surprised by the
Literature and Writing

4. What “department” of the government of humans’ attack.
Animal Farm did the pigeons work for? 14. Snowball commanded the animals in
A. Foreign Affairs. battle. Battle Log
B. Defence. 15. The stable lad was killed by Boxer. The animals recognize the Battle of the Cowshed as a pivotal moment in
C. Education.
the Revolution. What effects did the battle have on the animals, individually
D. Propaganda.
and as a group? On your own, write a short battle log describing the events
and evaluate the animals’ behavior. Share your battle log with a partner and
Discussion compare your evaluations of the events and their effects.
1. At the end of Chapter IV, the animals decide to fire Mr. Jones’ gun twice a year to celebrate the
anniversaries of the Battle of the Cowshed and the Rebellion. In your culture, are there any Roleplay
celebrations that are similar to these anniversaries? How are they important to your culture?
While addressing a serious topic on one level, the plot of Animal Farm,
2. Who would you say is/are the hero/heroes of the battle? Why? when taken literally, is also an amusing story. Divide Chapters I through IV
among the members of your group. Identify passages or scenes you find
3. Read the following quotations from after the Battle of the Cowshed and compare funny or amusing. Briefly role-play these scenes and then discuss how
Snowball’s and Boxer’s reactions. What does this say about their characters? Orwell creates humor. Present one or two of your scenes to the rest of the
“’I have no wish to take life, not even human life,’ repeated Boxer, and his eyes class.
were full of tears.”
“‘No sentimentality, comrade!’ cried Snowball, from whose wounds the blood
was still dripping. ‘War is war. The only good human being is a dead one.’”
The Words What They Really Mean
Chapter V In the future, all questions relating to the

working of the farm would be settled by a
»»
Napoleon is going to make all the
decisions.
special committee of pigs presided over by
himself.
Pre-reading “No one believes more firmly than

Comrade Napolean that all animals are
Instructions: Match the words with their definitions.
equal. He would be only too happy to let
Useful Vocabulary Definition you make decisions for yourselves. But »»
sometimes you might make the wrong
1. faction- n. a. a large machine that uses wind to generate power
b. to hide oneself in seclusion, often to perform a task in solitude decisions, comrades, and then where
2. urinate- v.
3. scheme- n. c. a plan would you all be?”
4. closet- v. d. to pee
e. a small group with beliefs of interests that are different than »»
5. assume- v.
the larger group
6. tactic- n.
7. ration- n.
f. specific amount of food given out »»
g. to accept as true without thinking
8. protest- v. h. the ability to speak persuasively or expressively
9. windmill- n. i. to express strong disapproval or disagreement
10. eloquence- n. j. to be against something Comprehension
11. oppose- v. k. a method or action used to achieve a short-term goal
Choose the best answer.
1. What happened to Mollie? 6. In Chapter V, besides the windmill, on
Predictions A. She was killed by Mr. Jones. what issue do Napoleon and Snowball
B. She betrayed Animal Farm and went to disagree?
In Chapter IV, Napoleon takes some puppies away from the farm area. What do you think will work for humans. A. Defence of the farm.
become of these puppies? What do you believe they may be used for? C. She began her own revolution in which B. Housing.
all animals get sugar. C. Egg laying.
What Do They Really Mean? 2. “In January there came bitterly hard 7. What does Squealer accuse Snowball of?
weather.” This sentence means: A. Being lazy.
Orwell’s characters use language to communicate hidden meanings. Sometimes Orwell hints that
A. The weather didn’t taste good. B. Being no better than a criminal.
language should be carefully questioned, other times it’s up to the reader to notice
B. The weather was very firm. C. Speaking too much.
Instructions: As you read Chapters V through VII, complete the table by filling in some C. The weather made it difficult to live.
8. What stopped the other pigs’ protests?
examples of manipulative communication. Then state what you think the language really means.
3. The animals would “assemble” in the barn A. The animals’ applause.
Use as many boxes as you need. You may paraphrase the passages from the text.
every Sunday. This most likely means B. The dogs’ growling.
A. They would argue in the barn. C. Napoleon’s shouting.
B. They would all meet together in the
9. What did Napoleon cancel?
barn.
C. They would build a barn every Sunday. A. Sunday meetings.
B. The windmill plans.
4. What would be the benefit of a windmill, C. Singing “Beasts of England.”
according to Snowball?
Answer the questions.
A. Wind would make the farm cooler.
B. Electricity would make life easier. 10. Who did it seem the animals would
C. It could be used as a new place to sleep. support after Snowball’s speech at the
Sunday windmill meeting? What were the
5. What did Napoleon say at first about the
animals promised?
windmill?
A. It is a good idea. 11. What reasons did Squealer give for
B. Food production is more important. Napoleon making all decisions?
C. It will be difficult to accomplish.
12. Did Benjamin agree with Napoleon or 15. The chapter begins in winter and ends in The Great Windmill Debate
Snowball about what was said? spring.
Instructions: As a class, read the following paragraph and then discuss the questions together.
13. What did Napoleon do to the plans on the 16. At the end of the chapter, Napoleon will
floor? continue with the plans to build the “In January there came bitterly hard weather. The earth was like iron, and nothing could
windmill. be done in the fields. Many meetings were held in the big barn, and the pigs occupied
Answer true or false themselves with planning out the work of the coming season. It had come to be accepted
17. Squealer tells the animals that the
14. The animals supported Napoleon’s that the pigs, who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals, should decide all
windmill was actually Napoleon’s idea.
announcement that Sunday meetings questions of farm policy, though their decisions had to be ratified by a majority vote. This
would be canceled. arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between
Snowball and Napoleon. These two disagreed at every point where disagreement was
possible. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley, the other was
certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats, and if one of them said that such and such a
Discussion field was just right for cabbages, the other would declare that it was useless for anything
except roots. Each had his own following, and there were some violent debates.”
1. What role does “Four
legs good, two legs 1. Which group has taken over decision-making on the farm?
bad,” play in Napoleon’s
2. Which sentence in this paragraph is evidence of this?
propaganda? What is its
meaning? 3. Which two pigs are the strongest leaders?
4. Why were there debates?
2. “[Squealer] repeated 5. What is the main point of disagreement?
a number of times,
‘Tactics, comrades,
Now that you have read the passage and discussed the questions as a class, you have a much better
tactics!’ skipping round
understanding of the Great Windmill Debate that happened in Chapter V. You will now hold your
and whisking his tail
own debate.
with a merry laugh.
The animals were not Instructions: Divide yourselves in half. Half of the class will be Napoleon and the other half
certain what the word will be Snowball. You will be writing a speech to convince the others in your class about your
meant, but Squealer opinion about the windmill being built.
spoke so persuasively, • Use the text above and take notes for your
and the three dogs who character only (Snowball or Napoleon but not
happened to be with him both) using the table given on the next page.
growled so threateningly,
• Once you have thought of some points and
that they accepted his
opinions from your character, you should
explanation without
begin writing a speech that you can address
further questions.”
to your opposing character. Remember, this
If the animals didn’t
speech is supposed to convince the others
understand Squealer’s
that you are right about your position.
words, why do you think they accepted his explanation?
• Tip: In speeches, speakers often use
3. How useful are speeches like Snowball’s if people don’t understand them? sentences like “Vote for Snowball for four
weeks holiday a year,” or “Vote for Napoleon
4. It was “assumed” that the windmill plans had been rubbed off the floor. How does Orwell and full stomachs” at the end of a speech to
use this word to describe the animals’ level of thought? This is the second time the animals summarize what has been said.
have assumed something. What did the animals assume in Chapter III that proved false? How
• There are many ways you can do this. You can
dangerous is it to assume things?
do this in small groups (three against three)
5. Who do Snowball’s plans benefit? Do you believe the windmill will succeed? or as individuals (one against one).
Snowball Napoleon
What are the main points of
disagreement?
Chapter VI
Pre-reading
What is his opinion on the
windmill? Instructions: Complete the crossword using the clues and the definitions.
Across
2. a kind of lawyer
Useful Vocabulary 4. a place where stone for building is taken from
What are his reasons? 5. a week when someone works for sixty hours
solicitor- n.
6. money given as payment to somebody who sells something
broker- n.
commission- n. for another person
gale- n. 8. a very large rock
sixty-hour week- n. 10. the feeling of having no hope
What is his opinion on farm 11. to take revenge for a crime or for wrongdoing
quarry- n.
defence? slogan- n. 12. a very strong wind
boulder- n. Down
vague- adj. 1. a person who organizes sales between an owner and a buyer
intermediary- n. 3. someone who communicates between two different people
Is his attitude positive or avenge- v. 7. a saying, like a motto or maxim
negative? despair- n. 9. not clear, not well defined
Any other notes
Speech: On a separate sheet, write a speech for your character

trying to convince others to vote for your ideas. End the speech
with your slogan. If you wish, you may begin your speech with:
“Comrades of Animal Farm! Time has come for important
decisions to be made. I firmly believe that...”
Comprehension Who?
1. How is farm life for the animals different 7. What does Squealer say about the 1. “Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill?”
in Chapter VI? meaning of “bed”? 2. Clover warned him sometimes to be careful not to overstrain himself, but [he] would never
A. The animals work harder and harder A. Anything to sleep on, like a pile of listen to her.
and many things aren’t finished. straw, is actually a bed. 3. [He] ended his speech with his usual cry of “Long live Animal Farm!”
B. It is easier than before, with much food B. Animals do not need to worry about 4. [He] would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of
and free time. definitions because the word “bed” was the harvest moon.
C. Nothing has changed. invented by man.
The Other Side of the Fence

C. A bed is only a bed if you use blankets.
2. Why was the windmill difficult to build?
A. The animals don’t work very hard. 8. Why can’t animals remember their
B. Snowball is trying to slow them down. resolutions? Not all the characters in the book see things the same way. Many characters have a different point
C. The stones are large and the weather is A. There are too many to remember. of view regarding certain activities and thoughts about the farm. We will now look at how some
bad. B. The human beings try to confuse them. people see things differently than others, and why.
C. No one has his or her own written copy. Instructions:
3. Usually, when something is voluntary you
A. Must do it. 9. Who does Napoleon blame for the 1. Look at Image A and Image B on page 28. What do you see? Write down what you see in each
B. May do it only if you wish. destruction of the windmill? photo and then compare with a partner. Do you both see the same thing?
C. Must NOT do it. A. Mr. Jones 2. Read Text A and Text B. Text A describes how humans and animals perceive the farm in
B. Boxer Chapter IV, and Text B describes how humans perceive the farm in Chapter VI. After reading
4. What happens on Animal Farm if the
C. Snowball the texts, divide up into three groups.
animals do not do the voluntary work?
A. They are not allowed to attend Sunday Answer the questions. • Group 1: Mr. Pilkington
meetings. • Group 2: Mr. Frederick
10. What did Napoleon decide to do in order
B. Half of their food is taken away. to get supplies for the windmill?
• Group 3: Pinky, a pig on Mr. Frederick’s farm
C. They must apologize. 3. Each group will write a formal letter expressing what their character thinks and feels about
11. Which seasons pass in this chapter? the events on Animal Farm:
5. Napoleon decides to trade with human
beings. Which of the following does this 12. Who is Mr. Whymper and what does he • Mr. Pilkington will write to Mr. Frederick.
contradict? do? • Mr. Frederick will write to Mr. Pilkington.
A. The Seven Commandments. 13. Why do human beings hate Animal Farm? • Pinky will write to his cousin on Foxwood Farm.
B. Major’s speech. Why do they respect it? 4. Write a letter, giving your opinion of Animal Farm. This should include opinions on:
C. Mr. Whymper’s advice. • Quality of life for the animals.
14. How have the Seven Commandments
6. How does Squealer explain that it is not changed? • Animal self-governance.
against the Seven Commandments for pigs • Animal behavior towards each other.
to sleep in beds? 5. Get into groups of three. In each group you should have a :
A. There is no rule that mentions beds. Mr. Pilkington, a Mr. Frederick and a Pinky.
B. Pigs do not need to follow the rules. Take turns reading your letters to one another and then
C. The rule is against sheets, not beds. answer the following questions in your notebook.
A. What are the perceptions of Animal Farm for the
Discussion characters in your group?
B. How do the characters interests affect their
1. How is Snowball used as a scapegoat (person who takes blame for another’s action)? perceptions? Why does Frederick feel one way about
the farm, and Pinky feel another way?
2. How much work are the animals now doing, and how are they forced to work more and
C. Would these perceptions change if they actually lived
harder?
on Animal Farm? Why or why not?
3. How is the windmill destroyed? Why does Napoleon blame Snowball?
4. Who do the animals believe is responsible for the indmill? Do you agree with them? Why or
why not?
Read the text. Read the text.
Text A Text B
“Most of this time Mr. Jones had spent sitting in the taproom of the Red Lion at Willingdon, “Every Monday Mr. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. He was
complaining to anyone who would listen of the monstrous injustice he had suffered in a sly-looking little man with side whiskers, a solicitor in a very small way
being turned out of his property by a pack of good- for-nothing animals. The other farmers of business, but sharp enough to have realised earlier than anyone else that
sympathized in principle, but they did not at first give him much help. At heart, each of Animal Farm would need a broker and that the commissions would be worth
them was secretly wondering whether he could not somehow turn Jones’ misfortune to his having. The animals watched his coming and going with a kind of dread, and
own advantage. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm avoided him as much as possible. Nevertheless, the sight of Napoleon, on all
were on permanently bad terms. One of them, which was named Foxwood, was a large, fours, delivering orders to Whymper, who stood on two legs, roused their
neglected, old-fashioned farm, much overgrown by woodland, with all its pastures worn pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. Their relations
out and its hedges in a disgraceful condition. Its owner, Mr. Pilkington, was an easy-going with the human race were now not quite the same as they had been before.
gentleman farmer who spent most of his time in fishing or hunting according to the season. The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was
The other farm, which was called Pinchfield, was smaller and better kept. Its owner was a prospering; indeed, they hated it more than ever. Every human being held it as
Mr. Frederick, a tough, shrewd man, perpetually involved in lawsuits and with a name for an article of faith that the farm would go bankrupt sooner or later, and, above
driving hard bargains. These two disliked each other so much that it was difficult for them all, that the windmill would be a failure. They would meet in the public-houses
to come to any agreement, even in defence of their own interests. Nevertheless, they were and prove to one another by means of diagrams that the windmill was bound
both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm, and very anxious to prevent to fall down, or that if it did stand up, then that it would never work. And yet,
their own animals from learning too much about it. At first they pretended to laugh to against their will, they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with
scorn the idea of animals managing a farm for themselves. The whole thing would be which the animals were managing their own affairs. One symptom of this
over in a fortnight, they said. They put it about that the animals on the Manor Farm (they was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased
insisted on calling it the Manor Farm; they would not tolerate the name ‘Animal Farm’) to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. They had also dropped their
were perpetually fighting among themselves and were also rapidly starving to death. When championship of Jones, who had given up hope of getting his farm back and
time passed and the animals had evidently not starved to death, Frederick and Pilkington gone to live in another part of the county. Except through Whymper, there was
changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on as yet no contact between Animal Farm and the outside world, but there were
Animal Farm. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism, tortured one constant rumours that Napoleon was about to enter into a definite business
another with red-hot horseshoes, and had their females in common. This was what came agreement either with Mr. Pilkington of Foxwood or with Mr. Frederick of
of rebelling against the laws of Nature, Frederick and Pilkington said.” Pinchfield — but never, it was noticed, with both simultaneously.”
Chapter VII
Pre-reading
Instructions: Create one sentence for each word below.
Useful Vocabulary
chaff- n. straw cut up for animal food
mangel- n. a vegetable with a large root, cultivated as feed for livestock
infanticide- n. the crime of a mother killing her infant
capitulated- v. cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender
stupefied- v. to be made unable to think or feel properly
categorical- adj. unambiguously explicit and direct
countenance- n. a person’s face or facial expression
Image A Image B Predictions

1. What do you think will become of the windmill?
How Life Has Changed Do you think the animals will be successful in
Instructions: How has life changed for the animals on Animal Farm? List ways it is better and rebuilding it?
worse.
2. Do you think that Napoleon’s attitude will
Do you think life is better or worse for the animals on Animal Farm since the Revolution? Fill in the
change? How so? Will he become a kinder
table. After, write at least two paragraphs and use examples from the text to support your answer.
leader or remain a dictator on the farm?
Ways Life Has Improved Ways Life Has Worsened
Comprehension
Choose the best answer
1. What has changed in the plans for the 3. What do the animals find most
windmill? inspirational?
A. The animals decided not to build a A. Squealer’s speeches.
windmill. B. The dogs’ barking.
B. The animals will buy a windmill C. Boxer’s efforts.
instead of building one.
4. Napoleon and the other pigs need to hide
C. The animals will make the walls thicker
the food situation on the farm because:
than before.
A. They don’t want the human world
2. Why is life not as good on Animal Farm? to know they have mismanaged the
A. The animals are always cold and farm.
always hungry. B. They don’t want the animals who are
B. Boxer makes everyone work too hard. working so hard to notice there is less
C. Benjamin is causing everyone to feel food than before.
depressed. C. They want to starve the animals to
death to punish them for not working
hard enough.
5. Why did Napoleon order bins to be filled Answer the questions. An Allegory: The Russian Revolution and
with sand and covered with grain and
seed?
7. How will Napoleon get more grain for
Animal Farm?
Animal Farm
A. To poison the animals. Instructions: An allegory is a story that can be read on more than one level. Animal Farm
8. What did the hens do to protest the selling
B. To keep the food dry by keeping it off may be read as an allegory of the Russian Revolution. Some characters and events may correspond
of their eggs?
the cold wet ground. exactly to the historical revolution. Others may be generalizations. Read the following text and see
C. To fool Mr. Whymper, and the rest of the 9. Napoleon forced the hens to end their if you can make any connections between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution.
humans, into thinking Animal Farm was protest by doing what?
doing well. 10. Squealer accuses Snowball of what? The Russian Empire and the Czar
U
6. Beasts of England is replaced by a short 11. When the dogs attack Boxer, he looks at ntil the beginning of the 20th Century, Russia was a large
song that does NOT praise obedience and Napoleon to see if he should kill the dog. empire. The Russian name for their emperor was czar,
duty, but Why does Boxer do this? and the czars had total power over their people. In the early
A. Encourages the animals to be afraid. 1900s, Czar Nicholas II and the Russian ruling class lived in
12. What happens after the four pigs and
B. Encourages individual freedom. great luxury. The Eastern Orthodox Church of Russia, the main
many other animals confess their crimes?
C. Suggests that the animals should be religious organization, supported the Czar and the ruling class.
prepared to die defending Animal Farm. 13. What is the animals’ reaction to the The rest of the population lived in poverty under very harsh
executions? conditions. It was common for people to be without food.
Czar Nicholas II
14. Why are these most recent killings worse Communist Russia
T
than when Jones controlled the farm? he Russian Revolution started in 1917, and by 1922, the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir
15. Why does Squealer say that the song Lenin, was in total control of Russia. The Bolshevik government took control of factories,
“Beasts of England” is abolished? industry, food production and private property. Two leaders who served under Lenin, Leon Trotsky
and Joseph Stalin, fought for power after Lenin’s death in 1926. Stalin gained control and Trotsky
lived in exile in Mexico and was later assassinated.
Discussion
Russia under Stalin
1. Why do you think no animals helped the hens during the protest? S talin believed Russia was under-developed compared with other Eurpean countries and he
changed the economic and industrial policies of the country. He introduced “collectivism” to the
country. Collectivism replaced small farms with large farms. On these farms all the farmers worked
2. What things are blamed on Snowball in Chapter VII? Do you think these accusations are true? for the state. Stalin believed this would increase food production but, in fact, often this didn’t
Why or why not? happen, and there was a slow decrease in the amount of food available. Many
3. Do the animals believe Squealer when he accuses Snowball of being a traitor? Why or why people died of hunger and many more were killed by the Party. It is thought
not? that about 10 million people died during collectivism.
4. Do you believe that Squealer really has secret documents that prove Snowball was a traitor?
What is your evidence? T he Communist Party controlled everything in Russia, including the
media and educations system. Stalin used the state newspaper, Pravda,
to control what Russian people learned, heard, read and saw. Stalin killed
5. Foreshadowing is when the author gives us clues about what will happen next in a story.
or deported to Siberia all those who did not agree with him. His secret
How is it an example of foreshadowing when Squealer gives a “very ugly look at Boxer”?
police also used random arrests, torture, and mass executions to maintain his
6. What is Boxer’s solution to the bloodshed (killing, violence) and what does this say about dictatorship. Anyone could be a victim of these killings, known as “purges,”
Boxer? Stalin for no apparent reason.
Who? T he idealistic goals of Marx had turned into a system that was in many ways more terrifying
than the rule by the czars. There was no freedom in the new system, which was based on
military rule. Forced labour created wealth for a limited few, while the lives of most people changed
Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description. very little or got worse.
1. “I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm.”
2. He sprang forward with a cry of “Death to Humanity!” and sunk his teeth into Jones’ leg.
3. He confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool.
Comparing Events Using Media
Instructions: Based on what you’ve learned and read on the previous page, complete the Instructions: As Stalin took more and more power, he used state media and the altering of
table below and make note of any similarities between the Russian Revolution, the Animal Farm photographs to change people’s ideas about history. The images below are only a few examples of
and other countries. how Stalin and his supporters tried to control the information the Russian people had. Compare
the original images with later copies and then answer the questions that follow.
The Russian Animal Farm Other countries Original Later Copy

Revolution
Lenin
Trotsky
Trotsky
Lenin
Stalin
Using Media continued...
Answer the questions.
Chapter V-VII Review/Reflection
1. What do you notice about these photographs?
Respond
2. What do you think Stalin was trying to do? How did this help him in his career?
3. What connections can you make between media like these pictures and Animal Farm?
Respond to the questions using your own words.
Connections to Other Literature 1. What is your opinion about Snowball’s expulsion from Animal Farm, and why?
2. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled—like the pigs in
Instructions: Read the poem bellow by W. H. Auden. Think about what Auden is saying about
Animal Farm—have more influence in decision-making? Consider how decisions are made in
a particular kind of leader. After, try to answer the questions that follow. your community, state, or in the nation.
Epitaph on a Tyrant Recall and Interpret

By W. H. Auden
1. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How
Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after, does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?
And the poetry he invented was easy to understand;
2. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals about
He knew human folly like the back of his hand, their role in a future society?
And was greatly interested in armies and fleets;
When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter,
And when he cried the little children died in the streets. Literature and Writing
tyrant (n.) a kind of dictator Political Speech
of a kind (phrase) a certain type, a particular version What do you think of the way Napoleon runs the farm? Would you support his leadership?
folly (n.) thoughtlessness, recklessness, or reckless behavior Imagine you are a newcomer to the farm. Write a political speech advocating either support or
fleet (n.) a large group of ships, a navy opposition to Napoleon’s views and methods.
senator (n.) a kind of politician (a member of a senate)
Focus Activity
Questions:
Changing the rules
1. What kind of leader does Auden describe?
How would you feel if the rules for correct behavior kept changing?
2. What does Auden mean by, “He knew human folly”? How does this help the leader?
In a small group, discuss some methods people have for persuading others to follow particular
3. Explain the effect the leader has on both the senators and the children. Why do they react rules of behavior. Consider ways in which this persuasion relies on bias and manipulation of
this way? information.
4. What connections can you make to characters and events in Animal Farm? (Think especially
about the following words and ideas in the poem: perfection, poetry, human folly, senators
burst with laughter, children died.)
Comprehension
Chapter VIII Choose the best answer.
1. What has changed at the very beginning of 6. What do the men destroy on Animal
Chapter VIII? Farm?
Pre-reading A. The Sixth Commandment. A. The Cowshed
B. The name of Animal Farm. B. The Barn
Create one sentence for each word below. C. The plans for the windmill. C. The Windmill
Useful Vocabulary 2. If you asked Napoleon what cause he 7. What is the real reason that Napoleon
cunning- n. skill in deception; guile had to kill the animals in Chapter VIII, he thinks he is dying?
machination- n. the act of plotting; a crafty or cunning plan for the accomplishment of a would most likely say A. Snowball poisoned him.
sinister end A. “I felt like it.” B. He was drunk the night before and
pensioner- n. a person who is receiving a pension, usually an old-age pension from the state B. “They helped Snowball to hurt Animal now has a hangover.
hullabaloo- n. a loud confused noise of protest; commotion Farm.” C. He was wounded very badly by
sentinel- v. to watch over as a guard; to provide with a guard C. “I didn’t kill any animals.” Frederick’s gun.
unaccountably- adv. free from accountability; not responsible 3. Who is the first person to whom Napoleon Answer the questions
forgery- n. the act of forging, especially the illegal production of something counterfeit says he will sell the timber?
deputation- n. a group appointed to represent others 8. What has changed on the barn wall at the
A. Pilkington end of Chapter VIII?
B. Snowball
C. Frederick 9. What is wrong with the money Napoleon
Thinking about revolutions 4. To whom does Napoleon finally sell the
gets from Frederick?
1. Are there different kinds of revolution? What are they? Do you know of any revolutions from timber?
real life? How did they end? A. Pilkington
2. Do revolutions bring about real and lasting change? Why or why not? What are the B. Snowball
alternatives to revolution? C. Frederick
5. Napoleon asks Pilkington for help in
Instructions: With a partner, identify and discuss factors that a government can modify such fighting Frederick. Frederick sends a
as policies and those that it cannot such as climate conditions. Consider, also, whether there are note that says, “Serves you right.” From
elements to the human condition so basic that no revolution can change them. the context, “serves you right” probably
Try and think of ways people can change their societies for the better other than revolution. means that
A. Pilkington will be happy to help
As You Read Chapters VIII-X... Napoleon.
B. Napoleon must help Pilkington in
As Napoleon takes over leadership of the farm, a new social and political structure emerges. This
restructuring leads to many changes in power and privilege among the animals. return.
C. Napoleon deserves the punishment of
Instructions: As you read, use the diagram below to record and compare the living conditions being attacked.
of the pigs with the living conditions of the other animals.
Discussion
Under Napoleon's Leadership
1. Frederick gives Napolean forged money and Pilkington refuses to help him. Which of
Napolean’s actions may have made the farmers behave this way towards him?
life for the pigs life for other animals 2. What makes the battle against Frederick’s men different from the Battle of the Cowshed?
3. How is Napoleon becoming more and more like a typical dictator?
-- pigs live in farmhouse -- work longer hours
4. The animals celebrate a victory, but at what cost? What happened to the animals during the
-- Napoleon is waited on -- receive less food battle?
5. Describe the whisky incident. Why would Orwell make this scene a little humorous?
Who? Roleplaying: The Drunken Pigs and
Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description. Squealer’s Fall
1. [He] seemed to understand, but would say nothing. Instructions: As a class, enact a few scenes from Chapter VIII. This will help you visualize how
2. He was walking slowly and dejectedly, his eyes dull, his tail hanging limply behind him. the events happened as well as practice your speaking/listening skills.
3. He had flogged an old horse to death, he starved his cows, he had killed a dog by throwing it Choose some students to be the six main characters and a narrator and have other students build
into the furnace, he amused himself in the evenings by making cocks fight with splinters of the set, using your imagination and objects from around the classroom. Read the script and act out
razor-blade tied to their spurs. the events for the class.
4. [He] would talk, with the tears rolling down his cheeks, of Napoleon’s wisdom the goodness
of his heart, and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere, even and especially the -- Characters: Squealer, Napoleon, Dogs, Other Pigs, Group of Animals, Muriel, Narrator
unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms. -- Settings: Farmhouse, Yard, Barn labeled with the Seven Commandments
Useful Vocabulary
whisky- n. an alcoholic drink
gallop- v. to run fast (usually describing a horse)
lamentation- n. a song or speech expressing grief
tiptoe- v. to walk slowly and carefully on your toes
brewing and distilling- v. making beer and whisky
barley- n. a grain used for making beer and whisky
Scene 1:
All the pigs are out of sight in the barn, making party noises. The other animals are in the yard
listening.
Narrator:
It was a few days later than this that the pigs came upon a case of whisky in the
cellars of the farmhouse. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first
occupied. That night there came from the farmhouse the sound of loud singing, in
which, to everyone’s surprise, the strains of “Beasts of England” were mixed up.
Action: Pigs begin singing a drunken version of “Beasts of England.”
Narrator:
At about half-past nine Napoleon, wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. Jones’, was
distinctly seen to emerge from the back door, gallop rapidly round the yard, and
disappear indoors again.
Action: Napoleon gallops around the classroom.
Narrator:
But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse. Not a pig appeared to
be stirring. It was nearly nine o’clock when Squealer made his appearance, walking
slowly and dejectedly, his eyes dull, his tail hanging limply behind him, and with every
appearance of being seriously ill. He called the animals together and told them that he
had a terrible piece of news to impart.
Action:
Squealer comes out of the farmhouse and approaches the other animals who are
sitting in a group. He hangs his head, walks slowly, and, in general, looks rather ill.
Squealer, in a very serious and sad voice, says: “Comrade Napoleon is dying!”
Narrator: Narrator:
A cry of lamentation went up. It was a moonlit night. At the foot of the end wall of the big barn, where the Seven
Action: All the animals begin crying and wailing. They talk about how concerned they are, Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Squealer,
saying things like, “What will we do without Comrade Napoleon,” and “Snowball must have temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a
poisoned him!” paintbrush, and an overturned pot of white paint. The dogs immediately made a ring
round Squealer, and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to
Narrator: walk.
Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse, and the animals walked on Action: Squealer, picks himself up off of the floor and shakes himself together. He looks very
tiptoe. With tears in their eyes they asked one another what they should do if their guilty. The dogs, who also look very guilty, make a circle around Squealer. Squealer and the
Leader were taken away from them. dogs slowly and suspiciously leave the area.
Action: Napoleon lays down (perhaps across a desk or two chairs). He looks very ill, close to
death. Animals walk on tiptoe, slowly and reverently in front of Napoleon, whispering again Narrator:
their concern. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant, except old Benjamin,
who nodded his muzzle with a knowing air, and seemed to understand, but would
Narrator: say nothing. But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments
A rumor went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into to herself, noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had
Napoleon’s food. At eleven o’clock Squealer came out to make another announcement. remembered wrong.
As his last act upon earth, Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree. Action: Animals gather in front of the Commandments, trying to read. Muriel says, “I thought
Action: Squealer approaches the group and makes an announcement. He says, “The drinking the Fifth Commandment was ‘No animal shall drink alcohol.’ But there are two words that I
of alcohol will be punished by death!” have forgotten. Actually the Commandment reads: ‘No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.’
Narrator:
By the evening, however, Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better, and the following
morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery. By Discussion
the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work, and on the next day it was learned
Answer the following questions as a class.
that he had instructed Whymper to purchase in Willingdon some booklets on brewing
and distilling. A week later Napoleon gave orders that the small paddock beyond the 1. What was Squealer doing?
orchard, which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for 2. Why does Benjamin nod his head “with a knowing air?”
animals who were past work, was to be ploughed up. It was given out that the pasture
was exhausted and needed re-seeding; but it soon became known that Napoleon 3. Why do the dogs circle around Squealer and escort
intended to sow it with barley. him to the farmhouse.
Action: Animals ask one another what Napoleon and the pigs will do with a field of barley?
Scene 2:
Squealer and the dogs are in front of the barn. Ideally, they cannot be seen by the other animals.
The other animals are gathered together in the yard.
Narrator:
About this time there occurred a strange incident which hardly anyone was able to
understand. One night at about twelve o’clock there was a loud crash in the yard, and
the animals rushed out of their stalls.
Action: Squealer makes a loud crashing noise (perhaps by knocking a chair over) and falls to
the ground. The animals rush over to see what has happened.
Comprehension
Chapter IX Choose the best answer.
1. Why was Boxer not feeling well at the 7. Benjamin is upset because
Pre-reading beginning of the chapter? A. The pasture set aside for retirement
A. He was poisoned by Snowball. age has been reduced.
Instructions: Create one sentence for each word below. Compare your sentences with a B. He was being lazy. B. Napoleon has gotten drunk again.
partner. C. He was wounded in the Battle of the C. He knows Boxer is being taken away to
Windmill. be killed.
Useful Vocabulary
2. What did Boxer NOT want the animals to 8. The pigs say that Boxer went where?
complicity- n. the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing know? A. To Pinchfield Farm.
knacker- n. someone who buys old things and breaks them up to recover the materials in A. That he was talking with Snowball. B. To the Willingdon animal hospital.
them B. That he was in pain. C. To the farmhouse.
poultice- n. a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the C. That he and Clover were in love.
body to relieve soreness and inflammation 9. The author writes that it was not possible
dignity- n. the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect 3. First the orchard was promised to the for Boxer’s remains to be returned to the
spontaneous- adj. happening or arising without apparent external cause animals. Later, only a small corner of the farm. This is because
pasture was promised to them. For what A. He was already buried in Willingdon.
republic- n. a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected
was this piece of land promised? B. He was very badly hurt, and seeing the
representatives
falter- v. start to lose strength or momentum A. As a place for them to retire to when remains would upset the animals too
interment- n. the burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites they are old. much.
B. As a place to have horse races. C. Boxer was killed and his remains were
C. As a place to build a second windmill. used to make glue.
4. How are the piglets treated? Answer the questions.
Predictions A. Equal to all the other animals. 10. Why must rations be reduced again?
1. What do you think B. More important than the other animals.
will become of Boxer? C. Worse than the other animals. 11. Why did the hens have so few chicks?
Will he recover from 5. Which animal is allowed to return to 12. What privileges do the pigs now enjoy?
his injuries? If not, Animal Farm? 13. How was the president of the new
what do you think will
A. Moses Republic elected?
happen?
B. Snowball
14. How did the pigs use Boxer’s death to get
2. Do you believe the C. Mollie
the animals to work harder?
animals will have the
6. Boxer is almost twelve years old. What
motivation to rebuild
is he looking forward to when he turns
the windmill and
twelve?
support themselves?
A. Retiring in the pasture set aside for old
animals.
B. A big birthday party held in the
farmhouse.
C. Being old enough to drink beer.
Discussion Instructions: Read the following passages from Chapter IX. In your notebook, explain the
inferences and insights you can make that the characters can’t.
1. Why do you think that only the young pigs are being A. Meanwhile life was hard. The winter was as cold as the last one had been, and food was
educated? even shorter. Once again all rations were reduced, except those of the pigs and dogs. A too
2. Should everyone be educated at the farm, or would rigid equality in rations, Squealer explained, would have been contrary to the principles of
this lead to any problems? Animalism.
3. Do you think it was fair how the president of the B. In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic, and it became necessary to elect a
new republic was elected? Would you have done it President. There was only one candidate, Napoleon, who was elected unanimously. On
another way? the same day it was given out that fresh documents had been discovered which revealed
4. How has Boxer changed? Who really cares about further details about Snowball’s complicity with Jones. It now appeared that Snowball had
Boxer and how do they show it? not, as the animals had previously imagined, merely attempted to lose the Battle of the
Cowshed by means of a stratagem, but had been openly fighting on Jones’ side.
5. Was it fair what happened to Boxer? If you were the
leader, what would you have done with Boxer?
Who?
Instructions: Identify the character from the quote or description.
Chapter X
1. “Fools! Fools! Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?”
Pre-reading
2. [He] had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous
Demonstration
3. It now appeared that [he] had not, as the animals had previously imagined, merely attempted Instructions: Match the words with their definitions.
to lose the Battle of the Cowshed by means of a stratagem, but had been openly fighting on
Jones’ side. Useful Vocabulary a. to maintain or support oneself at a minimal
4. In the middle of the summer [he] suddenly reappeared on the farm, after an absence of 1. insoluble- adj. level
several years. 2. unalterable- adj. b. entailing little expense; requiring few resources
5. “Up there, comrades,” he would say solemnly, pointing to the sky with his large beak — “up 3. frugally- adv. c. impossible to solve
there, just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see — there it lies, Sugarcandy 4. prosperous- adj. d. successful in material terms; flourishing
Mountain...” 5. admiration- n. financially
6. subsist- v. e. respect and warm approval
Making Inferences
f. not capable of being changed or altered
What’s the Reader’s Job? Predictions
Orwell expects that you’ll fill in 1. This is the last chapter of the book. How
essential information that the do you think things will end up for the
animals miss; he assumes that you’ll pigs, the other animals and the humans?
make inferences. It’s an unwritten 2. Do you think that the pigs will be
partnership between writer and successful in the end, or do you believe
reader. Even though the animals don’t that they will fall and be in a worse
seem to know what is being done to position than the other animals they
them, you’re able to understand. have been abusing? How and why?
Inference - (n): In logic, the

process of making conclusions
from premises known or
assumed to be true.
Comprehension Who?
1. When does Chapter X take place? 6. What keeps the animals from protesting? 1. “Even when I was young I could not have read what was written there.”
A. A few days after Boxer was killed. A. The dogs’ barking. 2. “Four legs good, two legs better!”
B. A few months after Boxer was killed. B. The sheep’s singing. 3. “Gentlemen, here is my toast: To the prosperity of the Manor Farm!”
C. Many years after Boxer was killed. C. The wind’s howling. 4. There were very many of them, and their appetites were always good.
2. How many animals have been allowed to 7. Squealer has changed the sheep’s song 5. Majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side.
retire? from “Four legs good, two legs bad” into 6. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work
A. One animal. A. “Two legs good, four legs better.” and received less food than any animals in the county.
B. No animals. B. “Four legs good, four wheels better.”
C. Twelve animals. C. “Four legs good, two legs better.”
3. Why do the animals have difficulty 8. What has replaced the Seven Chapter VIII-X Review/Reflection
remembering the Rebellion and the ideas Commandments on the barn wall?
of Animalism. A. “All animals are equal, but some
Respond
A. They do not want to remember. animals are more equal than others.”
B. They are being tricked by Snowball and B. “Long live Emperor Napoleon!”
the other humans. C. “All animals are equal, yet everywhere
Respond to the question using your own words.
C. Now there are so many animals on the they are in chains.”
farm who were born or bought after the How do you feel after reading the end of the novel For example, do you find it uplifting, depressing,
9. What announcement does Napoleon NOT
Rebellion. cynical? Explain.
make?
Recall and Interpret

4. The windmill is NOT used to A. The pigs own the farm.
A. Make the animals’ lives easier. B. The name of the farm will be changed
B. Grind corn. back to Manor Farm. 1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over
C. Make money for the pigs. C. The Rebellion will spread to other the windmill affect the animals?
farms.
5. What terrified Clover and the other 2. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to
animals? 10. Why do Napoleon and Pilkington begin to a final conclusion about these events?
A. The windmill fell down again. fight each other?
B. Frederick and Pilkington were A. Someone was found to be cheating at
attacking Animal Farm again. cards. Literature and Writing
C. The sight of Squealer and the pigs B. Pilkington is afraid Napoleon will
walking on two legs. attack his farm. Evaluate and Connect
C. Napoleon does not like how Pilkington 1. In Chapter X the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of
treats his animals. progress? Explain.
2. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and
human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are
interchangeable?
Discussion 3. How might power change those who have it? Explain.
1. How does Orwell make fun of bureaucracy? Newspaper Article

2. How do the animals now feel about their society on the farm? Why do they feel this way? Imagine that you had to write a newspaper article for Animal Farm. Analyze the
descriptions of Napoleon’s physical and behavioral characteristics found in Chapters IX
3. All Seven Commandments are erased. What is the new commandment and how has it been and X. On a separate sheet of paper, use these details to write a profile of Napoleon for
true from the beginning? Animal Farm’s local newspaper.
4. What changes have the years brought to the farm?
5. At the conference with neighboring farmers, what new changes does Napoleon point out? Personal Response
Animal Farm contains many extremely effective scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others are
bitterly ironic or pessimistic. Which scene did you find most memorable and effective? Why?
Activity 4: Poem
After You Read: Activities
Perfection , of a kind , was
what he was after,
And the poetry he
invented was easy to Instructions: The animals, especially the pigs, use song and poetry to
understand;
He knew human folly like convey meaning and ideas in the book. Think of an issue - political or social -
the back of his hand ,
And was greatly interested
in armies and fleets;
that you can write about and compose a poem or a song about it. What kind of
When he laughed ,
poem or song will it be? Will it be defiant and strong? Will it be humorous? Will
Activity 1 : Creating a Newspaper
respectable senators burst
with laughter,
And when he cried the it talk of brave people doing brave deeds for their people?
little children died in the
Instructions: Working in groups of three or four, If you want to, perform your composition for the class.
create a short newspaper that reports the key events
of the novel. Include stories, editorials, classified, Activity 5: Researching the russian
and comics (satires). Pictures should have
captions, and stories and articles should have
revolution and the cold war
headlines, like a real newspaper. Instructions: Now you have read Animal Farm and completed this
study guide, you should have some idea of the events which took place
in Russia in and after 1917.
1. Most of the characters in Animal Farm represent either real figures
or groups of people in the Russian Revolution. Research the real
revolution and draw as many parallels as possible between the
characters and events in the book and in real life.
2. Research the Cold War. This was a period from the end of World
War II to around 1990, when the USA and communist Russia
competed for control of smaller nations and to impose their own,
opposing, political systems on countries around the world.
Activity 6: watching the film

Activity 2 : News Report 1. There are many differences between the film and the book. Using the table below, fill in the
blank spaces with the differences between the film and the book.
Instructions: Select major events from the book and present each as part of a series of TV
news reports, perhaps on video camera. Working in small groups, try to recreate what a news
show would look like explaining an event from the book. The book The film
Activity 3: Creating a Shirt
You may have seen shirts with political messages written in
a creative and interesting way. This works to get across a
message to the person reading your shirt without having to
know too much about the situation. These shirts can be funny,
sad, or really make you think hard.
Instructions: Imagine you had to design a shirt for a
company that had a political message about Animal Farm (or
any other political purpose). On a blank piece of paper, draw
and color what you would put on the front, as well as the
back, of the shirt. Share your ideas with the class. Have a vote in the class to see which shirt design
the class prefers the most. Why does the class prefer this shirt?
2. The book and the film ended differently. What were the differences? Which ending did you
prefer and why?

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Contents

About Animal Farm 2

Respond: An Equal Society

T he people that followed Marx’s thinking were called Socialists. The

Old Major Gets the revolution started, advocates for real

1. Boar ______ 9. Sheep ______

Useful Vocabulary Definition

Literature and Writing

Chapter V In the future, all questions relating to the

Pre-reading “No one believes more firmly than

Any other notes

Speech: On a separate sheet, write a speech for your character

The Other Side of the Fence

Image A Image B Predictions

The Russian Animal Farm Other countries Original Later Copy

Epitaph on a Tyrant Recall and Interpret

What’s the Reader’s Job? Predictions

Inference - (n): In logic, the

Recall and Interpret

1. How does Orwell make fun of bureaucracy? Newspaper Article

Activity 6: watching the film

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1. Boar 9. Sheep