Animal Farm (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

How does Orwell use what happens to the Seven Commandments to explore ideas about the revolution?

Write about:

• what happens to the Seven Commandments

• how Orwell uses the Seven Commandments to explore ideas about the revolution.

  [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell use the character of Napoleon to explore ideas about power and control in Animal Farm? 

Write about:

• how Orwell presents the character of Napoleon 

• how Orwell uses the character of Napoleon to present ideas about power and control in the novel.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others’. 

How far is this idea important in Animal Farm? 

Write about: 

• what you think Orwell is saying about equality and inequality 

• how Orwell presents these ideas through the events of the novel.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

‘Orwell creates a shocking and unexpected ending to Animal Farm.’ 

How far do you agree with this statement? 

Write about:  

• what happens towards the end of the novel  

• how Orwell presents the ending.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell use the character of Snowball to explore ideas about leadership in Animal Farm? 

Write about:  

• what Snowball says and does and what happens to him  

• how Orwell presents Snowball.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell use the character of Squealer to explore ideas about truth and lies in Animal Farm? 

Write about:  

• what Squealer says and does  

• how Orwell uses the character of Squealer to explore ideas about truth and lies. 

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell use events in Animal Farm to explore ideas about revolution? 

Write about:  

• some of the events in the book  

• how Orwell uses events to explore ideas about revolution. 

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell use Moses and Benjamin to explore attitudes to revolution in Animal Farm?

Write about:  

• what Moses and Benjamin say and do  

• how Orwell uses Moses and Benjamin to explore attitudes to revolution.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell present the failure of the rebellion in Animal Farm? 

Write about:  

• the ways the rebellion fails  

• how Orwell presents the failure of the rebellion.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How far does Orwell present Napoleon as a character who is only interested in power? 

Write about: 

• what Napoleon says and does 

• how far Orwell presents Napoleon as only interested in power.

  
   [30 marks]
  AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell present relationships between the humans and the animals in Animal Farm?

Write about: 

• the relationships between the humans and the animals 

• how Orwell presents the relationships between the humans and the animals.

  
   [30 marks]
  AO4 [4 marks]

How far does Orwell present Boxer as a sympathetic character in Animal Farm? 

Write about:

• what Boxer says and does

• how far Orwell presents Boxer as a sympathetic character.

   [30 marks]
  AO4 [4 marks]

In Chapter 1, Old Major says, ‘All men are enemies. All animals are comrades’. 

How does Orwell present Old Major’s speech as important to the events of Animal Farm? 

Write about:

• the reactions to what Old Major says

• how Orwell presents Old Major’s speech as important to the events of Animal Farm.

   [30 marks]
  AO4 [4 marks]

How far does Orwell present Snowball as the hero of Animal Farm? 

Write about: 

• what Snowball says and does 

• how far Orwell presents Snowball as the hero of Animal Farm.

 [30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell present the ways that the pigs’ clever use of language helps them to control the other animals? 

Write about: 

• what the pigs say and do 

• how Orwell presents the ways the pigs use language to control the other animals.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

At the start of Animal Farm, Orwell describes Mr Jones as “too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes.”

How does Orwell present Mr Jones and his role in Animal Farm?

Write about:

• what Mr Jones says and does
• how Orwell presents Mr Jones in the novel.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

How does Orwell present leadership and power in Animal Farm?

Write about:

• what the pigs say and do as leaders

• how Orwell presents leadership and power in the novel.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

In Chapter 5, Orwell writes: “These two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made, the other could be counted on to oppose it.”

How does Orwell present the power struggle between Snowball and Napoleon in Animal Farm?

Write about:

• what Snowball and Napoleon say and do

• how Orwell presents their power struggle.

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]