Ninth Grade Summer Reading Packet
Animal Farm: By George Orwell
Complete each section as you read along. All your answers should be on the handouts, but if you
decide to use loose leaf paper please make sure it is stapled to the packet or it will not be
accepted.
The Packet:
Before Reading:
1. Focus Activities:
a. Answer the focus questions in 2-3 sentences in the space provided.
2. Vocabulary:
a. Define the word and give its part of speech in the space provided.
b. Include the page number of each word.
During Reading:
1. Active Reading:
a. In the book Annotations
After Reading:
1. Responding:
a. Answer each question in 1-2 sentences following directions closely.
The Book:
You should write your responses IN your book that the school has provided. Books will be
collected at the beginning of the year to check your answers within the novel.
1. Once you complete a chapter, create a name for it that will allow people to understand
what the chapter was about.
2. Underline all vocabulary words.
3. Underline SIX metaphors. Once you underline it write the letter M in the margins and
then write what two words are being compared.
4. Underline SIX similes. Once you underline it write the letter S in the margins and then
write what two words are being compared.
5. Underline at least 3 examples of Irony. Once you underline it write the letter I in the
margins and then explain what makes it ironic.
Reminders:
Metaphor: comparing to things WITHOUT using like or as (is, are, was).
Simile: comparing to unlike things using LIKE or AS.
Irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.
Grading:
The grading for Animal Farm will be divided into three parts:
1. Turned in on time the first FULL day of school (completion and effort). 20 points.
2. Turned in again before the test with corrected responses. 20 points.
3. Multiple choice test the following week. 60 points
CHAPTERS 1-4
FOCUS ACTIVITY:
1. Why do you think revolutions occur? What circumstances would lead people to
overthrow the daily political and economic structure of their lives?
VOCABULARY:
2. cannibalism
3. cryptic
4. gambol
5. ignominious
6. indefatigable
7. parasitical
RESPONDING:
8. Describe how the Rebellion takes place. How does the animals’ behavior during the Rebellion
suggest both human and animal characteristics?
9. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow’s milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur?
What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?
10. How does the original vision of Animalism become the slogan “Four legs bad, two legs good”? In
your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs
use?
11. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the
appropriate reaction to have during a revolution?
CHAPTERS 5-7
FOCUS ACTIVITY:
1. How would you feel if the rules for correct behavior kept changing?
VOCABULARY:
2. canvas
3. coccidiosis
4. dynamo
5. embolden
6. malignity
7. maneuver
8. perpendicularity
9. superintendence
RESPONDING:
10. What happens to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in Soviet history
does this scene suggest?
11. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How does
the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?
12. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals about their
role in a future society?
13. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled—like the pigs in Animal
Farm—have more influence in decision making? Consider how decisions are made in your
community, state, or in the nation.
CHAPTERS 8-10
FOCUS ACTIVITY:
1. Do you think revolution is worth the upheaval and damage it inevitably causes? Can it bring
about real and lasting change? Why or why not?
VOCABULARY:
2. beatifically
3. demeanor
4. deputation
5. devotees
6. inebriates
7. interment
8. machinations
9. taciturn
RESPONDING:
10. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the
windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?
11. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to a
final conclusion about these events?
12. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of
Commandments ultimately refashioned?
13. In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of
progress? Explain.
14. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human
political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are interchangeable?
How might power change those who have it? Explain.