Welcome to Lesson 1.

In this lesson, you will study Chapter One of Animal Farm by George Orwell.

What you must do first

Read the first 5 pages of Chapter One carefully before attempting any questions.

How to work through this lesson

• Read slowly and understand each part of the text
• Use a dictionary to find meanings of new words
• Answer in full sentences where required
• Use evidence from the text when asked
• Check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar

What you will learn

In this lesson, you will develop:

• Strong reading comprehension
• Accurate vocabulary understanding
• Clear sentence writing
• Logical thinking and reasoning

Example of a correct answer

Question: Why did the animals gather in the barn?
Answer: The animals gathered in the barn because Old Major wanted to share his dream with them.

Now begin the exercises below. Work carefully and complete all sections.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Vocabulary (Dictionary Work)

Instruction:

Write the meaning of each word based on how it is used in the text.

1. lurched
2. scullery
3. fluttering
4. ensconced
5. benevolent
6. majestic
7. perched
8. rafters
9. cud
10. enormous
11. cynical
12. mincing
13. daintily
14. comrades
15. miserable
16. labourious
17. slavery
18. regarded
19. stout
20. concealed

Exercise 2: Comprehension

Instruction:

Answer in full sentences.

1. Why did Mr. Jones forget to shut the pop-holes?
2. What effect does the lantern light create?
3. Why are the animals willing to lose sleep?
4. Where is Old Major positioned in the barn?
5. How is Old Major described?
6. How do the animals settle themselves?
7. What kind of animal is Boxer?
8. How is Benjamin different?
9. What does Mollie care about?
10. What is Old Major’s main message?

Exercise 3: Find Evidence

Instruction:

Copy a word, phrase, or sentence from the text that gives evidence to show that:

1. Mr. Jones is careless
2. Old Major is respected
3. Boxer is strong
4. Boxer is gentle
5. Benjamin is pessimistic
6. Mollie likes luxury
7. Animals are organised
8. Life is hard for animals
9. Animals are united
10. Humans exploit animals

Exercise 4: Character Understanding

Instruction:

Answer using your understanding and the text.

1. Describe Old Major in two ways.
2. What type of leader is Old Major?
3. What are Boxer’s strengths?
4. What is Boxer’s weakness?
5. Why is Benjamin different?
6. What does Mollie’s behaviour show?
7. How is Clover caring?
8. Which animal seems most intelligent?
9. Which animal seems selfish?
10. Which character do you trust most? Why?

Exercise 5: Grammar (Tense)

Instruction:

Write the correct tense of each sentence.

1. He lurched across the yard.
2. The animals gathered.
3. Major was speaking.
4. They had agreed.
5. The pigeons fluttered.
6. Boxer was walking.
7. Benjamin talked.
8. Mollie came.
9. They were waiting.
10. Major began.

Exercise 6: Punctuation

Instruction:

Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. mr jones was drunk
2. where are you going said boxer
3. the animals sat quietly
4. boxer was strong kind and loyal
5. what is the nature of life
6. benjamin was old but wise
7. mollie loved sugar ribbons and attention
8. old major said comrades listen
9. the pigs dogs and horses gathered
10. life is miserable laborious and short

Exercise 7: Noun Phrases

Instruction:

Underline the noun phrase in each sentence.

1. The big barn was full of animals.
2. Old Major gave a powerful speech.
3. The three dogs sat near the front.
4. A wise old pig spoke.
5. The small animals hid in the straw.
6. The bright lantern hung above.
7. The tired horses walked slowly.
8. The pretty white mare entered quietly.
9. The old donkey made a remark.
10. The farm animals listened carefully.

Exercise 8: Conjunctions

Instruction:

Fill in with a suitable conjunction.

1. He was drunk ___ forgot the door.
2. Animals gathered ___ listened.
3. Boxer is strong ___ gentle.
4. Benjamin is quiet ___ clever.
5. Mollie is pretty ___ lazy.
6. They came early ___ waited.
7. He spoke ___ they listened.
8. Life is short ___ hard.
9. They worked hard ___ got little.
10. Stay quiet ___ he finishes.

Exercise 9: Prepositions

Instruction:

Fill in the correct preposition.

1. He went ___ bed.
2. Animals sat ___ the barn.
3. Light moved ___ side to side.
4. Birds flew ___ the rafters.
5. Horses stood ___ the straw.
6. Cat sat ___ two horses.
7. They gathered ___ night.
8. He spoke ___ the animals.
9. Food came ___ humans.
10. They worked ___ the farm.

Exercise 10: Synonyms & Antonyms (From Text)

Instruction:

Use words from the text where possible.

Synonyms:

1. miserable
2. strong
3. old
4. kind
5. quick

Antonyms:

6. strong
7. old
8. happy
9. fast
10. kind