Chapter I Quiz — Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter I

Why does Old Major call the animals together for a meeting in the barn?

• He wants to organize an immediate attack on Mr. Jones and seize the farm
• He had a dream and wishes to share his vision and wisdom before he dies
• He needs to warn the animals that Mr. Jones plans to sell the farm
• He wants to elect a new leader to represent the animals' interests to Jones

According to Old Major, what is the fundamental cause of all the animals' problems?

• The animals lack education and cannot organize themselves effectively
• The farm's soil is poor and cannot produce enough food for everyone
• Man exploits animals by consuming without producing anything himself
• The animals are divided by species and refuse to cooperate with each other

What simple rule does Old Major propose for distinguishing friends from enemies?

• Animals that live on farms are friends; wild animals are potential enemies
• Creatures that walk on two legs are enemies; those on four legs or with wings are friends
• Any creature that can speak is a friend; those that cannot communicate are enemies
• Animals that work for their food are friends; those that steal food are enemies

What makes the animals' meeting possible on this particular night?

• Mr. Jones has left the farm to visit a neighboring town for supplies
• It is a holiday and the animals have been given the evening off from work
• Mr. Jones has gone to bed drunk and forgotten to secure the farm properly
• A severe storm keeps Mr. Jones trapped inside the farmhouse all evening

Which detail about the pigs in Chapter I foreshadows their future role on the farm?

• The pigs are described as being larger and stronger than all the other animals
• The pigs refuse to participate in Old Major's vote about whether rats are comrades
• The pigs settle themselves in the front row directly before the platform
• The pigs are the only animals who do not join in singing "Beasts of England"

What does the song "Beasts of England" envision for the animals' future?

• A world where animals and humans live together in peaceful cooperation
• A golden future free from human tyranny, with abundant food and no cruelty
• A plan for animals to escape Manor Farm and return to living in the wild
• A society where the strongest animals rule fairly over the weaker ones

How does the meeting in the barn come to an end?

• Old Major collapses from exhaustion after his long speech and the animals disperse
• Benjamin the donkey argues against rebellion and convinces animals to return to bed
• Mr. Jones fires his shotgun into the darkness after being awakened by the singing
• Dawn breaks and the animals must return to their places before Jones wakes up

What is the allegorical significance of Old Major in relation to real historical figures?

• He represents Tsar Nicholas II, the last ruler before the revolution began
• He represents a composite of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, the intellectual founders of communism
• He represents Leon Trotsky, the military leader who organized the revolution
• He represents Joseph Stalin, who eventually seized total control of the Soviet state

Which of the following events actually happens in Chapter I?

• Old Major teaches the animals the song "Beasts of England" from his dream
• Napoleon delivers a speech challenging some of Old Major's ideas
• The animals vote to immediately drive Mr. Jones off the farm
• Boxer pledges to work twice as hard to prepare for the coming rebellion

Which of the following does NOT happen in Chapter I?

• The cat is discovered to have voted on both sides of the question about rats
• Mollie arrives late to the meeting and draws attention to her ribbons
• Old Major dies peacefully in his sleep three nights after the barn meeting
• Mr. Jones fires a shotgun blast that ends the animals' gathering

What does the word "parasitical" mean as used in Old Major's description of Man?

• Extremely dangerous and capable of causing widespread harm to others
• Living at the expense of others without making any useful contribution
• Skilled at deceiving others through elaborate lies and false promises
• Possessing great physical strength that is used to dominate the weak

In the context of Chapter I, what is a "knacker"?

• A farmer who specializes in breeding and training workhorses for labor
• A person whose business is buying and slaughtering old horses for their parts
• A veterinarian who treats injured farm animals in rural communities
• A merchant who trades in animal hides and leather goods at market fairs

What does "dissentient" mean when Old Major asks if there are any dissentients to his resolution?

• A person who strongly supports a proposal and urges others to vote in favor
• A person who abstains from voting because they feel unqualified to decide
• A person who disagrees with the prevailing opinion or a proposed resolution
• A person who requests more time to consider a question before casting a vote

Comprehension Quiz