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Year 10
Edexcel

'Animal Farm': reading Chapter 10 and considering the novella's structure

I can explain the events of Chapter 10 and consider Orwell's use of a cyclical structure.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

'Animal Farm': reading Chapter 10 and considering the novella's structure

I can explain the events of Chapter 10 and consider Orwell's use of a cyclical structure.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'Animal Farm' has a cyclical structure
  2. The novella ends with the pigs being indistinguishable from men
  3. Many of the original ideals have now been forgotten or completely subverted
  4. Orwell shows how power and control are always inevitable
  5. The commandments are simplified into one maxim, implying the pigs are better than the other animals

Common misconception

That the revolution is a complete failure.

Explore the quote "the farm was more prosperous now, and better organised". Who has benefitted? Would some consider this a success?

Keywords

  • Futile - If something is futile it feels useless, pointless or unsuccessful.

  • Doctored - If something is doctored it means it has been altered or manipulated in order to deceive people.

  • Idealistic - Being idealistic suggests that you believe in the best possible outcome, even if it seems unrealistic.

  • Cyclical structure - A cyclical structure is where the end of a piece of writing takes us back to the beginning or refers to the start.

  • Subvert - If you subvert something you undermine, challenge or disrupt it.

Explore the "whip" as a powerful symbol of oppression and slavery. Where else in the novel is this explored? Why has Orwell isolated the sentence?
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Animal Farm', what is the name of the farm at the beginning of the novella?
Correct answer: Manor Farm.
Jones' Farm.
Animal Farm.
Major Farm.
Q2.
In chapter 1 of 'Animal Farm' what is the significance of Old Major being sat on "a raised platform"?
It shows that the other animals don't like sitting up high.
It shows that Old Major is too large to sit with the other animals.
It shows that Old Major considers himself equal.
Correct answer: It shows that the animals have already established a hierarchy.
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm' which character represents the uneducated working classes?
Correct Answer: Boxer, boxer, Boxer., boxer.
Q4.
In 'Animal Farm' Pinchfield's farm is "smaller" and "better kept". What country does it represent?
Correct Answer: Germany, germany, Germany. , germany.
Q5.
Match the human character from 'Animal Farm' with their description.
Correct Answer:Mr. Frederick,"A tough, shrewd man, perpetually involved in lawsuits."

"A tough, shrewd man, perpetually involved in lawsuits."

Correct Answer:Mr. Jones,"But was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes."

"But was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes."

Correct Answer:Mr. Pilkington,"An easy-going gentleman farmer."

"An easy-going gentleman farmer."

Correct Answer:Mr. Whymper,"A sly-looking man with side whiskers."

"A sly-looking man with side whiskers."

Q6.
In 'Animal Farm', what is the maxim the pigs use to represent the whole of the Animalism ideology?
Correct Answer: four legs good, two legs bad, four legs good two legs bad, Four legs good, two legs bad, Four legs good two legs bad

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Animal Farm', how does the maxim "four legs good, two legs bad" change?
Two legs bad, four legs better!
Correct answer: Four legs good, two legs better!
Four legs and two legs are equal!
Four legs better, two legs the best!
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm', what are the original commandments replaced with? Complete the sentence: "All animals are equal but some animals are..."
Correct Answer: more equal than others., more equal, More equal than others., more equal than others, More equal
Q3.
What word beginning with 'S' means to undermine, challenge or disrupt?
Correct Answer: subvert, subverts, subversion
Q4.
Match the character with their description from chapter 10 in 'Animal Farm'.
Correct Answer:Clover,"She was two years past the retiring age."

"She was two years past the retiring age."

Correct Answer:Napoelon,"He carried a whip in his trotter."

"He carried a whip in his trotter."

Correct Answer:Squealer,"So fat that he could with difficulty see out of his eyes."

"So fat that he could with difficulty see out of his eyes."

Correct Answer:Benjamin,"Since Boxer's death, more morose and taciturn than ever."

"Since Boxer's death, more morose and taciturn than ever."

Q5.
In 'Animal Farm', Orwell is suggesting that the revolution is futile. What does this mean? Pick synonyms that match the word.
Correct answer: useless
wavering
Correct answer: pointless
essential
Correct answer: unsuccessful
Q6.
What does 'Animal Farm's' cyclical structure suggest about the inevitability of power and hierarchies?
They can be completely eliminated with determination and perseverance.
That achieving complete equality is a realistic and attainable goal.
Correct answer: That it always corrupts and that struggles are likely to re-emerge in any system
That the animals' ideals of a power-free society are fully realised by the end