Chapter IX Quiz — Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter IX

What injury does Boxer sustain that begins his physical decline in Chapter IX?

• A broken leg from falling into a quarry while hauling building materials
• A split hoof sustained during the Battle of the Windmill in the previous chapter
• A deep wound from one of Napoleon's dogs that becomes infected over time
• A dislocated shoulder caused by overexertion while pulling the heavy plow

What is significant about the presidential election held on Animal Farm?

• Napoleon wins narrowly against Squealer after a heated campaign between the two pigs
• Napoleon is the sole candidate and is elected unanimously by all the animals
• The animals vote to abolish the presidency and return to collective leadership
• Snowball receives write-in votes from sympathetic animals despite being in exile

Why do the pigs allow Moses the raven to return to Animal Farm and preach about Sugarcandy Mountain?

• The pigs have genuinely come to believe in Sugarcandy Mountain and want all animals to hear about it
• Moses threatens to reveal the pigs' secrets to neighboring farmers unless he is allowed to stay
• His promise of a blissful afterlife keeps the overworked animals pacified and less likely to rebel
• Napoleon wants Moses to spy on the other animals and report back on potential dissenters

What daily ration do the pigs give to Moses the raven?

• A daily portion of mixed grain collected from the surplus harvest stores
• A daily ration of beer, despite claiming to disapprove of his preaching
• A daily serving of milk and apples reserved exclusively for the pigs
• A daily allowance of bread and sugar taken from the farmhouse kitchen

Who reads the lettering on the side of the van that comes to take Boxer away?

• Clover, who has been slowly learning to read by studying the barn wall commandments
• Muriel the goat, who often reads aloud from scraps of newspaper she finds in the trash
• Benjamin the donkey, who can read as well as any pig but rarely uses this ability
• Squealer, who triumphantly announces that the van belongs to the veterinary surgeon

How does Squealer explain the knacker's name on the side of Boxer's van?

• He says the animals misread the lettering because they were standing too far away to see clearly
• He says the van was formerly owned by a knacker but was bought by the vet, who had not yet repainted it
• He says Alfred Simmonds is actually a respected veterinarian whose name sounds like a knacker's
• He says Benjamin deliberately lied about the inscription to stir up trouble against Napoleon

What do the pigs acquire shortly after Boxer is taken away, and what does this imply?

• A new set of tools for the windmill, implying they traded Boxer's labor value for equipment
• A case of whisky, implying they received payment from selling Boxer to the horse slaughterer
• A new horse to replace Boxer, implying they see workers as interchangeable commodities
• A large shipment of grain from Pilkington, implying a new trade deal was made in Boxer's name

What does Squealer claim were Boxer's dying words at the hospital?

• "I will work harder" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right"
• "Long live Comrade Napoleon" and "Forward, Comrades! Forward in the name of the Rebellion"
• "All animals are equal" and "Four legs good, two legs bad"
• "Tell Clover I died bravely" and "May the windmill be completed in my honor"

Which of the following events actually happens in Chapter IX?

• Moses the raven returns to Animal Farm and preaches about Sugarcandy Mountain
• Benjamin leads a revolt against Napoleon after discovering the truth about Boxer
• Clover learns to read and deciphers the altered commandments on the barn wall
• The animals refuse to attend the spontaneous demonstrations held in their honor

Which of the following does NOT happen in Chapter IX?

• Food rations are reduced for all animals except the pigs and dogs
• The farm is declared a Republic and Napoleon is elected president
• Boxer successfully escapes from the knacker's van and returns to the farm
• Squealer claims Boxer died peacefully in the hospital at Willingdon

What does the word "knacker" mean in the context of this chapter?

• A skilled veterinarian who specializes in treating large farm animals like horses
• A person whose business is buying old horses and slaughtering them for hides and bones
• A horse trainer who rehabilitates injured animals and prepares them for light work
• A traveling merchant who buys and sells livestock between neighboring farms

What does "superannuated" mean as used in the context of animals reaching retirement age?

• Extremely productive and valuable, having reached the peak of working capacity
• Dangerously ill and requiring immediate medical treatment from a specialist
• Retired or put aside on account of old age; too old to be effective or useful
• Newly promoted to a position of authority and given additional responsibilities

What does "taciturn" mean, as used to describe Benjamin's usual demeanor?

• Excessively talkative and eager to share opinions with anyone who will listen
• Physically aggressive and prone to violent outbursts when provoked by others
• Habitually reserved and uncommunicative; inclined to silence rather than speech
• Deeply religious and devoted to spiritual practices like prayer and meditation

Comprehension Quiz