Plot summary taken from York Notes

Plot summary taken from York Notes Chapter 1 Major, a prize-winning boar, tells the other animals on Manor Farm about a dream he has had, in which animals live free from human slavery Major s speech inspires the animals to rebel against mankind and create their own society based on Major s ideas of equality and freedom. Chapters 2 and 3 Mr Jones, the farmer, is driven out of the farm. Mrs Jones flees too, followed by the raven Moses. The farm is renamed Animal Farm. The Seven Commandments are written on the barn wall by Snowball as a permanent reminder of the new farm rules. The animals discover that the pigs have taken the milk and apples for themselves. The animals work hard to get the harvest in and do a better job than Mr Jones ever did. Snowball teaches the rest of the animals to read and write. Napoleon takes the puppies away to be educated in private. Squealer tells the animals that the pigs have taken the milk and apples for everyone s benefit. Chapters 4 and 5 The animals try to spread the revolutionary ideas of Animal Farm across the countryside Two neighbouring farmers, Mr Frederick and Mr Pilkington, are frightened that the revolution will spread to their own farms. They help Mr Jones to attack Animal Farm. Snowball leads the animals to victory in the Battle of Cowshed. Mollie vanishes from the farm. The conflict between Napoleon and Snowball increases. After he disagrees with Napoleon about the building of the windmill, Snowball is attacked by the Napoleon s dogs and driven from the farm. Napoleon tells the other animals that there will be no more debates the pigs will make the decisions.

Chapters 6 and 7 The animals work harder than ever before. The windmill runs into difficulties. Napoleon decides to trade with humans. The pigs move into Mr Jone s house and sleep in beds. The animals face starvation. Napoleon takes Mr. Whymper, his solicitor, around the farm and tricks him into thinking that gossip about the famine is untrue. Napoleon holds a terrifying show trial, accusing his opponents of ludicrous crimes. The accused animals are publicly executed. The other animals are frightened and confused. Chapters 8 and 9 The pigs continue to alter the Commandments on the wall to justify their actions. The animals work harder than they did under Mr Jones but eat far less. Napoleon s trade with Mr Frederick causes problems and the humans destroy the finished windmill. The new young pigs are to be educated separately. Moses returns to the farm. Boxer collapses in the quarry. The pigs sell Boxer to the knacker s yard as he is too weak to work. They use the money they get for him to buy more whisky. Chapters 10 The farm is richer than ever but the animals also work harder than ever. Clover sees the pigs walking on their hind legs and Napoleon carrying a whip. The Commandments have been erased and replaced by a single slogan: All Animals Are Equal But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others. The pigs invite the farmers to dinner. The animals look in through the farmhouse window and can no longer see the difference between the pigs and the humans.

Characters http://swinomatka.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/5.jpg

Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution Animal Farm is an allegory of Russian history. Look at the similarities between the Russian Revolution and Animal Farm below: Events in the Russian Revolution The Communist Party under the leadership of Lenin rose and took power, seizing control of the empire and executing the Romanovs (the Tsar s family) Communism was strongly influenced by the idea that life could be explained in economic and social terms. It is based on the belief that the rich capitalist class exploited the proletariat and this situation could only be reversed by the revolution. After the Revolution, Trotsky and Lennin established a Communist society in the Soviet Union (as it was then called). All property, wealth and work was meant to be divided equally between all individuals. Forces loyal to the Tsar, helped by countries abroad (who did not want Communism to spread throughout Europe) invaded Russia. Trotsky s brilliant command of the Red Army meant that the Bolsheviks stayed in power. After Lenin s death, a struggle for power took place between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky, although favoured by Lenin, was beaten by Stalin who then tried to eliminate all trace of him. Trotsky was forced to leave the Soviet Union. He was sentenced to permanent exile in 1929. Stalin insisted that all farms should be collectivised (come under state control). These large collective farms had to give Events on Animal Farm Under the leadership of Major, the animals revolt against Jones and drive him from the farm. Animalism is founded on Major s ideas in chapter 1. These ideas echo many of Marx s theories. The pigs attempt to create Major s ideal society and change the farm s name from Manor Farm to Animal Farm to reflect this new beginning. Jones and his men attempt to recapture the farm in the Battle of the Cowshed. Snowball s clever tactics mean that the animals win. Napoleon and Snowball disagree on virtually every issue. At a meeting in the barn, Napoleon drives Snowball from the farm. Napoleon and Squealer later tells the animals that Snowball is an enemy of Animalism. Napoleon claims Snowball s idea for the windmill as his own and Snowball s actions during the Battle of the Cowshed are completely distorted. Napoleon instructs the hens to sell their eggs, but they smash them rather than let him sell them, in the same way that

their produce to the government, which was opposed by the peasants. He also tried to modernise Soviet industry through his Five-Year-Plans the success of which he then exaggerated. The Soviet Union endured several famines as the result of Stalin s economic policies. It is thought that 5 million people starved to death between 1932 and 1934. Stalin s power increased so that he had complete control over the Soviet Union. Stalin created a cult of personality around him. Russians were told that he was the wisest man in the world. Pictures of him were displayed in schools and factories. He used propaganda to convince the Russian people that only he could protect them. Stalin used the murder of a potential rival, Kirov, in 1934 as an excuse to eliminate anyone who he thought was a threat to him. Between 1934 and 1938, 7 million people disappeared, many of them ordinary Russians. Most were executed or sent to gulags (slave labour camps). The most important victims were given show trials and made to confess publicly to non-existent crimes, often to save their families from punishment. In an effort to protect the Soviet Union from attack, Stalin negotiated with both Britain and Hitler s Germany. His treaty with Germany was seen as worthless when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. The Germans were later defeated at the Battle of Stalingrad, but not before Russia suffered heavy casualties. At the Tehran Conference in 1949, the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States of America claimed to be allies. A few years later, the Cold War began, which placed the Soviet Union against the wartime allies. the peasants opposed collectivism. The animals work hard to build a windmill on the farm. Napoleon shows Whymper the apparently full grain stores (which are mainly filled with sand) The animals suffer increasingly from hunger after Napoleon comes to power, while the pigs are well fed. Napoleon uses a combination of terror and propaganda to become a dictator. Squealer is crucial in convincing the animals that Napoleon has only their best interests at heart. A portrait of Napoleon is painted on the barn wall. Songs, poems and speeches praising life on the farm are written. Napoleon uses Snowball s alleged destruction of the windmill to get rid of the four porkers who protested against the abolition of the Sunday debates and the hens who led the egg rebellion. They confess publicly to ridiculous crimes before being slaughtered. Even Boxer, having defended himself against one of the dogs, is later eliminated once he has served his purpose. Napoleon has dealings with both Freerick and Pilkington over selling the timber and is finally tricked by Frederick who pays in forged notes. The animals defeat Frederick s men in the Battle of the Windmill but it is a hard and painful struggle. The pigs and farmers have dinner together but their friendship is destroyed when both sides are discovered to have cheated at cards.

Who s who in Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution? Mr Jones Czar Nicholas II Old Major Karl Marx Snowball Leon Trotsky Napoleon Joseph Stalin

English Literature Section A: Animal Farm Question 1a Character 10 mins / 8 marks Question 1b Language 12 mins / 10 marks Question 1c Theme within the extract 12 mins 10 marks Question 1d Theme across the novel 14 mins - 12 marks Character Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-3 Generally sound or sound understanding of the character Uses relevant evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character 2 4-5 Thorough understanding of the character Uses a good range of evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character 3 6-8 Perceptive understanding of the character Uses a variety of discriminating evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character Language Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-2 Generally sound reference to how the writer achieves effects Generally sound understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Examples from the extract are generally sound and mostly relevant 2 3-4 Sound reference to how the writer achieves effects Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Examples from the extract are sound and mostly relevant 3 5-6 Sustained reference to how the writer achieves effects Thorough understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Sustained use of relevant examples from the extract

4 7-8 Pertinent reference to how the writer achieves effects Assured understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Assured use of relevant examples from the extract 5 9-10 Convincing reference to how the writer achieves effects Perceptive understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Perceptive use of relevant examples from the extract Theme within the extract Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-2 Mostly sound reference to extract mostly supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows generally sound understanding 2 3-4 Sound reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows sound understanding 3 5-6 Sustained reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows thorough understanding 4 7-8 Pertinent reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows assured understanding 5 9-10 Convincing reference to extract supported by sustained relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows perceptive understanding

Theme across the novel Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-2 Mostly uses relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme / character Generally sound understanding of the linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Generally sound selection of textual detail to support interpretation 2 3-5 Consistently uses relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme/character Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Sound selection of textual detail to support interpretation 3 6-7 Sustained use of relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme / character Thorough understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Thorough selection of textual detail to support interpretation 4 8-10 Assured use of relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme / character Assured understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Pertinent selection of textual detail to support interpretation 5 11-12 Perceptive use of relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme/character Perceptive understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Convincing selection of textual detail to support interpretation

Character revision What can you remember about the following characters and their involvement in the novel? What can you remember about their relationships with other characters as well?

Before we start practising our responses to questions on character, we need to determine what constitutes a good response. The examiner basically wants to see that you can do three things Identify what you have learnt about the character s actions / thoughts / feelings in the set scene (POINT) Quotations from the text to demonstrate the character s actions / thoughts / feelings (EVIDENCE) Your explanation to show that you have understood the text and the character s actions / thoughts / feelings (EXPLANATION) Look at the following response to a question about the character of Boxer

What do we learn about Boxer from this response? Boxer is a popular and well-respected character Boxer is taken to the slaughter house Boxer is dear to them and the idea of his death terrifies them Boxer has a determined personality The other animals admire him Boxer has great strength The candidate has constructed a response that tells the examiner 6 things they have learnt about Boxer in this section of the scene. Trying to get across as much as you can about what you have learnt about a character is essential! In addition, the candidate has used the following quotes: Get out, Boxer! Get out! cry of horror He was trying to kick his way out. But alas! His strength had left him. A few kicks from Boxer s hooves would have smashed the van to matchwood. The candidate has used 5 quotations from the extract to support the points he / she is making about the character of Boxer in this part of the novel. As a result of being able to say 6 different things about the character and using 5 quotations, the candidate is able to show a thorough understanding of the character and a sustained reference to the text. The examiner gave this candidate a 7/8.

Extract 1 Now have a look at the following response: How many points has this candidate made about the character of Boxer? How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points? What mark out of 8 would you give this response? Why?

Extract 2: Now have a look at this response: How many points has this candidate made about the character of Boxer?

How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points? What mark out of 8 would you give this response? Why? Now let s start to practise responding to character based questions. Here is our first practice extract, taken from Chapter 2. In past years Mr Jones, although a hard master had been a capable farmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit, and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen, reading the newspapers, drinking and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. His men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the buildings wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed. June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. On Midsummer s Eve, which was a Saturday, Mr Jones went into Willington and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then had gone out rabbiting, without bothering to feed the animals. When Mr Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face, so that when evening came, the animals were still unfed. At last they could stand it no longer. One of the cows broke in the door of the store-shed with her horns and all the animals began to help themselves from the bins. It was just then that Mr Jones woke up. The next morning he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands, lashing out in all directions. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. With one accord, though nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand, they flung themselves upon their tormentors. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. The situation was quite out of their control. They had never seen animals behave like this before, and this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose, frightened them almost out of their wits.

Here is the associated question: From the extract, what do you discover about the character of Mr Jones? Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Here are some of the points the examiners expect you to make: A hard but capable farmer He has fallen on evil days disheartened after losing money Drinking more due to the loss of money Lazy for whole days at a time he would lounge Inconsistent in his attitude to animals seen in how he occasionally and inappropriately feeds his pet Moses, but allows the farm animals to be underfed He is not a good manager as he is cheated by his men, who are idle and dishonest He is a poor supervisor of the animals: shown by his visit into Willingdon, staying out overnight and sleeping on the sofa the next day, without checking that the animals had been fed Poor control of temper and is cruel whips lashing out Frightened by the animals behaviour Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, complete the response I have started below: Orwell presents the character of Mr Jones as a hard but capable farmer which suggests that although he ran the farm quite strictly, his strict approach paid off as his skills in farming were good and his farm was a success.

Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-3 Generally sound or sound understanding of the character Uses relevant evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character 2 4-5 Thorough understanding of the character Uses a good range of evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character 3 6-8 Perceptive understanding of the character Uses a variety of discriminating evidence from the extract to demonstrate knowledge about the character The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Extract 2 taken from Chapter 8 As his last act upon earth, Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. By the evening, however, Napoleon appeared to be some-what better, and the following morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work, and on the next day it was learned 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 orchard, which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for 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 intended to sow it with barley. 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. It was a moonlight night. At the foot of the end wall of the big barn, where the Seven Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a 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 walk. 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 say nothing. But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments to herself, notices that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. They had thought that the Fifth Commandment was No animal shall drink alcohol, but there were two words that they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment read: No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. Here is the associated question: From the extract, what do you discover about the character of Napoleon? Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Extract 3 taken from Chapter 5 At last the day came when Snowball s plans were completed. At the meeting on the following Sunday the question of whether or not to begin work on the windmill was put to the vote. When the animals had assembled in the big barn, Snowball stood up and, though, occasionally interrupted by bleating from the sheep, set forth his reasons for advocating the building of the windmill. Then Napoleon stood up to reply. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it, and promptly sat down again, he had spoken for barely thirty seconds, and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. At this Snowball sprang to his feet, and shouting the sheep, who had begun bleating again, broke into a passionate appeal in favour of the windmill. Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies, but in a moment Snowball s eloquence had carried them away. In glowing sentences he painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted from the animal s backs. His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers. Electricity, he said, could operate threshing machines, ploughs, harrows, rollers and reapers and binders, besides supplying every stall with its own electric light, hot and cold water and an electric heater. By the time he had finished speaking there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and, casting a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball, uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before. At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him. Too amazed and frightened to speak, all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase. Snowball was racing across the long pasture that led to the road. He was running as only a pig can run, but the dogs were close on his heels. Suddenly he slipped and it seemed certain that they had him. Then he was up again, running faster than ever, then the dogs were gaining on him again. One of them all but closed his jaws on Snowball s tail, but Snowball whisked it free just in time. Then he put an extra spurt and, with a few inches to spare, slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more.

Here is the associated question: Explain how the author presents the character of Snowball in this extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Extract 4 Chapter 5 As winter drew on, Mollie became more and more troublesome. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept, and she complained of mysterious pains, although her appetite was excellent. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool, where she would stand foolishly gazing at her own reflection in the water. But there was also rumours of something more serious. One day as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard, flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay, Clover took her aside. Mollie, she said, I have something very serious to say to you. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. One of Mr Pilkington s men was standing on the other side of the hedge. And I was a long way away, but I am almost certain I saw this he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. What does that mean, Mollie? He didn t! I wasn t! It isn t true! cried Mollie, beginning to prance about and paw the ground. Mollie! Look me in the face. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose? It isn t true! repeated Mollie, but she could not look Clover in the face, and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. A thought struck Clover. Without saying anything to the others she went to Mollie s stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. Hidden under the straw was a pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbons of different colours. Here is the associated question: Explain how Orwell presents the character of Mollie in this extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Extract 5 taken from Chapter 7 The animals were stupefied. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball s destruction of the windmill. But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in. They all remembered, or thought they remembered, how they had seen Snowball charging ahead of them at the Battle of the Cowshed, how he had rallied and encouraged them at every turn, and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones s gun had wounded his back. At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones s side. Even Boxer, who seldom asked questions, was puzzled. He lay down, tucked his fore hoofs beneath him, shut his eyes and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. I do not believe that, he said. Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. I saw him myself. Did we not give him Animal Hero, First Class immediately afterwards? That was our mistake, comrade. For we know now it is all written down in the secret documents that we have found that in reality he was trying to lure us to our doom. But he was wounded, said Boxer. We all saw him running with blood. That was part of the arrangement! cried Squealer. Jones s shot only grazed him. I could show you this in his own writing, if you were able to read it. The plot was for Snowball, at the critical moment, to give the signal for flight and leave the field to the enemy. And he very nearly succeeded I will even say, comrades, he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader, Comrade Napoleon. Do you not remember how, just at the moment when Jones and his men had got inside the yard, Snowball suddenly turned and fled, and many animals followed him? And do you not remember, too, that it was just at that moment, when panic was spreading and all seemed lost, that Comrade Napoleon sprang forward with a cry of Death to Humanity! and sank his teeth in Jones s leg? Surely you remember that, comrades? exclaimed Squealer, frisking from side to side. Now when Squealer described the scene so graphically it seemed to the animals that they did remember rit. At any rate, they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee. But Boxer was still a little uneasy.

I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning, he said finally. What he has done since is different. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade. Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, has stated categorically categorically, comrade that Snowball and Jones s agent from the very beginning yes, and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of. Ah, that is different! said Boxer. If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right. Here is the associated question: Explain how Orwell presents the character of Boxer in the extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Language

Language devices mix and match 1. adverb 2. rhetorical question 3. cluster of three 4. personal pronouns 5. simile 6. metaphor 7. onomatopoeia 8. repetition 9. imperatives 10. personification 11. verb 12. alliteration 13. adjective 14. noun a. Giving an inanimate object human attributes. b. A comparison between two things saying something is / was something else. c. A word used to identify any of a class of people, places or thing. d. A word to describe an action or mental state. e. A comparison between two things using the words like or as f. A question that does not require an answer g. Using the same letter at the start of two or more words. h. Saying the same thing more than once for effect. i. A word used to describe how an action is completed j. An instruction or a command. k. Words like we, you and us l. A word that sounds like the noise it is making. m. A describing word. n. Three phrases or describing words used to emphasise a point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Before we start practising our responses to questions on language, we need to determine what constitutes a good response. The examiner basically wants to see that you can do three things Identify the technique that has been used to present a character or a situation (POINT) Use a quotation from the text to show how this technique is used (EVIDENCE) Explain how the use of the technique contributes to the presentation of a character, setting or event (EXPLANATION)

Look at the following response to the question -

What language techniques has the candidate identified within this extract? Adjective Metaphor x2 Repetition Short sentences The candidate has constructed a response that analyses the use of four different language techniques. Knowing these techniques and being able to use the technical terminology will really help! In addition, the candidate has used the following quotes: in the midst of a deadly silence deadly cry of horror Get out quickly! Clover forced her way to the front the van began to gather speed drumming of hooves The candidate has used 6 quotations from the extract to support the points he / she is making about how language has been used to convey the panic in this part of the novel. As a result of being able to identify four language techniques and using 6 quotations which are explained and referenced back to the question of panic (so how are language techniques used to convey the sense of panic), the candidate is able to show an assured understanding of how language has been crafted and demonstrates a sustained reference to the text. The examiner gave this candidate a 10.

Extract 1 Now have a look at the following response: How many language techniques has the candidate commented on? What are they? How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points? What mark out of 10 would you give this response? Why?

Extract 2: Now have a look at this response: How many language techniques has the candidate commented on? What are they?

How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points? What mark out of 8 would you give this response? Why? Now let s start to practise responding to language based questions. Here is our first practice extract, taken from Chapter 2. In past years Mr Jones, although a hard master had been a capable farmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit, and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen, reading the newspapers, drinking and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. His men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the buildings wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed. June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. On Midsummer s Eve, which was a Saturday, Mr Jones went into Willington and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then had gone out rabbiting, without bothering to feed the animals. When Mr Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face, so that when evening came, the animals were still unfed. At last they could stand it no longer. One of the cows broke in the door of the store-shed with her horns and all the animals began to help themselves from the bins. It was just then that Mr Jones woke up. The next morning he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands, lashing out in all directions. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. With one accord, though nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand, they flung themselves upon their tormentors. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. The situation was quite out of their control. They had never seen animals behave like this before, and this sudden uprising of

creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose, frightened them almost out of their wits. Here is the associated question: (a) Comment on how language is used to create an impression of sympathy in the extract. Use examples of the writer s language from the extract. Here are some of the points the examiners expect you to make: Sympathy for Mr Jones The narrator tells the reader that Jones was once a good farmer, but has fallen on evil days. The use of strong adjectives and emotive language, such as disheartened make the reader feel some empathy with Jones The narrator makes the reader feel that it was not Jones fault that he had taken to drinking, but those who had pursued a lawsuit against him Feeding Moses bread soaked in beer shows that he cares We feel sorry for Jones as his men do not work hard enough and take advantage of him. The reader is presented with a list of jobs that they have not done. Use of alliteration emphasises the problems: idle and dishonest, fields were full Jones butted and kicked from all sides frightened out of their wits Sympathy for the animals Emotive language: neglected, underfed, thrashing, maltreating Short sentences and the use of commas build tension, panic and help emphasise the speed in which the animals rebelled The men are portrayed as thoughtless and lazy: without bothering At last they could stand it no longer suggests the animals have been patient, but are now desperate for food. Suggested anthropomorphism Pity for the animals is evoked through their lack of food, desperation, breaking down the door, eating from the bins, being threatened with whips and culminates with flung themselves at their tormentors. Strong verbs and adjectives make the men sound cruel Although the men are butted and kicked, the reader may feel more sympathy for the animals.

Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, complete the response I have started below: Orwell uses a variety of language techniques to create an impression of sympathy in this extract. He uses strong adjectives and emotive language when presenting the character of Mr Jones when he writes that Jones had once been a good farmer, but has fallen on evil days. The use of the strong adjective evil implies that Mr Jones has been corrupted somewhat and is, as a result, removed from the farmer he once was.

Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-2 Generally sound reference to how the writer achieves effects Generally sound understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Examples from the extract are generally sound and mostly relevant 2 3-4 Sound reference to how the writer achieves effects Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Examples from the extract are sound and mostly relevant 3 5-6 Sustained reference to how the writer achieves effects Thorough understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Sustained use of relevant examples from the extract 4 7-8 Pertinent reference to how the writer achieves effects Assured understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Assured use of relevant examples from the extract 5 9-10 Convincing reference to how the writer achieves effects Perceptive understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language Perceptive use of relevant examples from the extract The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Extract 2 taken from Chapter 8 As his last act upon earth, Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. By the evening, however, Napoleon appeared to be some-what better, and the following morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work, and on the next day it was learned 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 orchard, which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for 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 intended to sow it with barley. 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. It was a moonlight night. At the foot of the end wall of the big barn, where the Seven Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a 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 walk. 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 say nothing. But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments to herself, notices that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. They had thought that the Fifth Commandment was No animal shall drink alcohol, but there were two words that they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment read: No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. Here is the associated question: Comment on how language is used to create the relationship between the pigs and the other animals in the extract. Use examples of the writer s language from the extract.

Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Here is the associated question: Comment on the effect of the language used to create suspense in the extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Extract 4 Chapter 5 As winter drew on, Mollie became more and more troublesome. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept, and she complained of mysterious pains, although her appetite was excellent. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool, where she would stand foolishly gazing at her own reflection in the water. But there was also rumours of something more serious. One day as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard, flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay, Clover took her aside. Mollie, she said, I have something very serious to say to you. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. One of Mr Pilkington s men was standing on the other side of the hedge. And I was a long way away, but I am almost certain I saw this he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. What does that mean, Mollie? He didn t! I wasn t! It isn t true! cried Mollie, beginning to prance about and paw the ground. Mollie! Look me in the face. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose? It isn t true! repeated Mollie, but she could not look Clover in the face, and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. A thought struck Clover. Without saying anything to the others she went to Mollie s stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. Hidden under the straw was a pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbons of different colours. Here is the associated question: Comment on the effect of the language used to present Clover s actions in the extract. Use evidence form the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning, he said finally. What he has done since is different. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade. Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, has stated categorically categorically, comrade that Snowball and Jones s agent from the very beginning yes, and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of. Ah, that is different! said Boxer. If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right. Here is the associated question: Comment on the language used by Squealer in this extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Themes Question 1c Theme within the extract Question 1d Theme across the whole novel

Themes within Animal Farm Parallels with Soviet Union / corruption How do the themes to the left feature within the novel Animal Farm? Power / control Class Education and learning Language and power

Propaganda Dishonesty and betrayal Ignorance Friendship Dreams

Theme within an extract Before we start practising our responses to questions on a theme within an extract, we need to determine what constitutes a good response. The examiner wants to see that you have Understood the theme, especially within the extract given Given an example of the relevance of the theme within the extract (POINT) Used a quotation to exemplify the theme (EVIDENCE) Explained the relevance of the quotation in demonstrating the importance of the theme within the extract Have a look at this exemplar:

What points does the candidate make about the theme of ignorance? Ignorance about the knacker s van BECAUSE the animals can t read Benjamin is not ignorant about the situation Ignorance to enhance feeling of fear and tension Boxer ignorant to his own death makes readers feel empathy for him The candidate has constructed a response that raises four points about the importance of the theme of ignorance. In addition, the candidate has used the following quotes: pushed aside they are taking Boxer to the knackers cry of horror the uproar outside his face with the white stripe down the nose appears at the window tremendous drumming of hooves his strength had left him Don t take your brother to his death! The candidate has used 8 quotations from the extract to support the points he / she is making about the importance of the theme of ignorance in the novel. As a result of being able to identify four solid points about the theme of ignorance and in using 8 quotations which are explained and referenced back to the question of ignorance, the candidate is able to show an assured understanding of the theme within the extract. The examiner gave this candidate a 10.

Extract 1 Now have a look at the following response: What points does the candidate make about the importance of ignorance in this response? How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points? What mark out of 10 would you give this response? Why?

Extract 2: Now have a look at this response: What points does the candidate make about the importance of ignorance in this response? How many quotations has this candidate used to support his/her points?

What mark out of 8 would you give this response? Why? Now let s start to practise responding to language based questions. Here is our first practice extract, taken from Chapter 2. In past years Mr Jones, although a hard master had been a capable farmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit, and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen, reading the newspapers, drinking and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. His men were idle and dishonest, the fields were full of weeds, the buildings wanted roofing, the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed. June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. On Midsummer s Eve, which was a Saturday, Mr Jones went into Willington and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then had gone out rabbiting, without bothering to feed the animals. When Mr Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face, so that when evening came, the animals were still unfed. At last they could stand it no longer. One of the cows broke in the door of the store-shed with her horns and all the animals began to help themselves from the bins. It was just then that Mr Jones woke up. The next morning he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands, lashing out in all directions. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. With one accord, though nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand, they flung themselves upon their tormentors. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. The situation was quite out of their control. They had never seen animals behave like this before, and this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose, frightened them almost out of their wits.

Here is the associated question: Explore the significance of control in the extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer. Here are some of the points the examiners expect you to make: Control moves from Man to the animals Jones has slowly lost control, whereas the animal take control quickly Jones is portrayed as losing control of himself, lounging and becoming idle Jones idleness leads to loss of control and poor management of the farm: had been a capable farmer ; he had taken to drinking ; he would lounge in his Windsor chair Jones has lost control of his men, idle and dishonest The animals take control due to being unfed The men s use of whips leads to a spontaneous reaction from the animals, ending Man s control of the farm Man s control has been lost due to their mistreatment of the animals The men s threatening behaviour is the catalyst There is nothing they can do to restore control The men were used to thrashing and maltreating and are now frightened out of their wits. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, complete the response I have started below: Control is a central theme in this extract as we see the control moving from man to the animals. Previously Mr Jones had been a hard master and capable but of late he had fallen on evil days implying that whilst he was once a strict and capable master who had a tight grip on the farm, recently, because of drink, he had turned into the opposite, with Orwell presenting him as someone whose control over the animals and the farm was loosening.

Band Mark Criteria 0 0 No rewardable material 1 1-2 Mostly sound reference to extract mostly supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows generally sound understanding 2 3-4 Sound reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows sound understanding 3 5-6 Sustained reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows thorough understanding 4 7-8 Pertinent reference to extract supported by relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows assured understanding 5 9-10 Convincing reference to extract supported by sustained relevant textual reference Explanation of significance of theme in the extract shows perceptive understanding

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Extract 2 taken from Chapter 8 As his last act upon earth, Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. By the evening, however, Napoleon appeared to be some-what better, and the following morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work, and on the next day it was learned 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 orchard, which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for 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 intended to sow it with barley. 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. It was a moonlight night. At the foot of the end wall of the big barn, where the Seven Commandments were written, there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. Squealer, temporarily stunned, was sprawling beside it, and near at hand there lay a lantern, a 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 walk. 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 say nothing. But a few days later Muriel, reading over the Seven Commandments to herself, notices that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. They had thought that the Fifth Commandment was No animal shall drink alcohol, but there were two words that they had forgotten. Actually the Commandment read: No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. Here is the associated question: Explore the significance of dishonesty in the extract Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

Here is the associated question: Explain the importance of the setting in this extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Extract 4 Chapter 5 As winter drew on, Mollie became more and more troublesome. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept, and she complained of mysterious pains, although her appetite was excellent. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool, where she would stand foolishly gazing at her own reflection in the water. But there was also rumours of something more serious. One day as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard, flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay, Clover took her aside. Mollie, she said, I have something very serious to say to you. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. One of Mr Pilkington s men was standing on the other side of the hedge. And I was a long way away, but I am almost certain I saw this he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. What does that mean, Mollie? He didn t! I wasn t! It isn t true! cried Mollie, beginning to prance about and paw the ground. Mollie! Look me in the face. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose? It isn t true! repeated Mollie, but she could not look Clover in the face, and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. A thought struck Clover. Without saying anything to the others she went to Mollie s stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. Hidden under the straw was a pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbons of different colours. Here is the associated question: Explore the theme of betrayal in the extract. Use evidence form the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

The first thing you have done well is The second thing you have done well is To improve you need to

I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning, he said finally. What he has done since is different. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade. Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon, announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, has stated categorically categorically, comrade that Snowball and Jones s agent from the very beginning yes, and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of. Ah, that is different! said Boxer. If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right. Here is the associated question: Explore what the extract reveals about Boxer s attitude towards Napoleon and work. Use evidence from the extract to support your answers. Now using the POINT / EVIDENCE / EXPLANATION structure, respond to the question below

Theme across the novel Before we start practising our responses to questions on a theme across the novel, we need to determine what constitutes a good response. The examiner wants to see that you Can provide another example of the theme from within the novel cite the chapter you are taking the example from Given an example of the relevance of the theme (POINT) Used a quotation to exemplify the theme (EVIDENCE) Explained the relevance of the quotation in demonstrating the importance of the theme Your knowledge of the whole novel is essential for this question. Have a look at this exemplar:

What points does the candidate make about the theme of ignorance? Napoleon convinces the animals that the destruction of the windmill was down to Snowball they are too ignorant to realise the windmill wasn t strong enough The animal s ignorance enables Napoleon to build his dictatorship and have them do continuous laborious work Ignorance cause because of animals prejudice towards humans The candidate has constructed a response that raises two main points about the importance of the theme of ignorance. In addition, the candidate has used the following quotes: The animals were shocked beyond measure to learn that even Snowball could be guilty of such an action. Out of spite, the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who destroyed the windmill. They said it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. The candidate has only used 2 quotations from their chosen extract to support the points he / she is making about the importance of the theme of ignorance in the novel. However, the examiner said this: The candidate has selected an appropriate area of the novel. The response demonstrates an assured understanding of the theme, even though there are only two examples to support ideas. The candidate was awarded 9 out of 10.

Extract 1 Now have a look at the following response: