Year 8 English – Big Test Revision
You will be given an extract from ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell. You will be asked to answer a question, analysing how Orwell presents the farm as a failure. You will have 1 hour.
To revise, practise writing analytical paragraphs, or have a go at these practice questions:
Practice Question 1: How is the farm presented as a failure in this extract? As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip, all equal, each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak, as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech. Instead—she did not know why—they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes. | Practice Question 2: How is the farm presented as a failure in this extract? [The pigs have begun walking on two legs to the shock of the other animals] There was a deadly silence. Amazed, terrified, huddling together, the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. It was as though the world had turned upside-down. Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when, in spite of everything-in spite of their terror of the dogs, and of the habit, developed through long years, of never complaining, never criticising, no matter what happened—they might have uttered some word of protest. But just at that moment, as though at a signal, all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of— "Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER!" |
Writing your analytical paragraphs:
What: In the extract, _______ is presented as …
Quotations: Orwell describes the character/setting as ‘…’
How: The metaphor/verb/word ‘______’ suggests…
Perhaps the writer is suggesting…
It is as if…
The reader understands how…
What: Furthermore, ________ is presented as…
Your Essay
Introduction: Establish a clear line of argument. This must answer the question and outline your key points, linking to dystopian fiction.
Main body: 3 analytical paragraphs. Learn the sentence starters across this page 🡪
Conclusion: Sum up your key points and express your opinion.
Key Vocab |
corrupt |
propaganda |
cult of personality |
treacherous |
allegory |
tyrant |
tyranny |
rebellion |
harvest |
scapegoat |
equality |
influence |
manipulate |
oppression |
Year 8 English – Big Test Revision
Have a look at this analytical paragraph about the Farm: In the extract, Animal Farm is presented as a place that has become violent and dangerous for the working animals, as the pigs use the dogs to torment everyone and keep them under control. Orwell describes the setting as “scenes of terror and slaughter”. The nouns “terror” and “slaughter” show us how much damage and harm is being done to the helpless animals on the Farm. Orwell is using the animals to represent society - where the people, represented by the animals, are oppressed by the dogs, who represent the military, who do the bidding of the dictators, as represented by the pigs. The reader here can see how the Farm has returned to the way it was under Farmer Jones, and the animals are no better off. The use of the word “slaughter” is interesting, as it makes us think of livestock being killed for meat – just as they were at the beginning of the novella. By allowing the pigs to take charge, the Farm has reverted back to a state of fear and misery. |
Have a go at recreating your own: |