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'Animal Farm': reading Chapter 8 and the pigs' corruption

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain what happens in Chapter 8 of ‘Animal Farm’ and identify how the pigs corrupt the ideals of animalism.

Key learning points

  1. Squealer uses statistics to inflate the success of the pigs' rule
  2. The windmill is finally completed
  3. Despite the many deaths, injuries and loss of the the windmill, the pigs declare the battle a success
  4. The pigs drink alcohol, breaking another of the commandments
  5. The pigs continue to rewrite the commandments to suit their own needs

Keywords

  • Terror - To experience terror is to feel intense or overwhelming fear.

  • Decree - To decree is to officially decide or order something to happen. It usually has the force of law.

  • Negate - To lament is a expression of grief or sorrow.

  • Hypocrisy - Hypocrisy is when someone says one thing but does the opposite.

  • Lament - To lament is to express grief or sorrow.

Common misconception

The animals' apparent support for the pigs is genuine loyalty.

The reality is that this is manipulation, fear, and the pigs' gradual control over them. Examine the pigs' tactics.

Teacher tip

Creative writing opportunity to turn the events of the battle into a newspaper report. Could also lead to interesting discussions around the media and propaganda.

Equipment

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

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word beginning with 'T' describes a regime that asserts total power over the lives of its citizens?

Correct Answer: Totalitarianism, Totalitarian, totalitarianism, totalitarian

Q2.
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'Animal Farm' chapter 1-7 in chronological order.

1 - Old Major gives a speech.
2 - The rebellion.
3 - The pigs take the milk and apples.
4 - The battle of the cowshed.
5 - Snowball is chased off the farm.
6 - The animals work hard to build the windmill.
7 - Mr. Whymper appears.

Q3.
What is the primary goal of building the windmill on Animal Farm in Chapter 6 of 'Animal Farm'?

To generate electricity for the entire farm.
To provide a source of entertainment for the animals.
To show off the animals' engineering skills to humans.
Correct answer: To improve the animals' quality of life and make their work easier.

Q4.
In Chapter 6 of 'Animal Farm', who is blamed for the destruction of the windmill, and why?

Correct answer: Snowball, for sabotaging the windmill out of spite.
Napoleon, for not providing enough resources for its construction.
The humans, for launching an attack on the farm that damages the windmill.
The other animals, for failing to follow the building plans accurately.

Q5.
Starting with the first, put the seven commandments from 'Animal Farm' in the correct order.

1 - Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2 - Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3 - No animal shall wear clothes.
4 - No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5 - No animal shall drink alcohol.
6 - No animal shall kill any other animal.
7 - All animals are equal.

Q6.
In chapter 7 of 'Animal Farm' what does the windmill symbolise?

The animals' technological progress.
Correct answer: The pigs' control and exploitation of the animals' labour.
The pigs' economic success.
The pigs' excellent leadership skills.

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
In chapter 8 of 'Animal Farm', what is the effect of Squealer using statistics?

They expose the pigs' lies.
They make the animals question the pigs' leadership.
Correct answer: They create a sense of progress and success.
They reveal the declining condition of the farm.

Q2.
In chapter 8 of 'Animal Farm', what happens in the battle of the windmill?

The animals successfully defend the windmill.
The windmill is completed without any problems.
Correct answer: The windmill is destroyed, leading to a violent battle.
The humans help the animals finish the windmill.

Q3.
How do the pigs demonstrate hypocrisy in 'Animal Farm'?

By consistently treating all animals with fairness and equality.
By openly acknowledging their mistakes and rectifying them.
Correct answer: By gradually becoming more like the humans they initially rebelled against.

Q4.
In chapter 8 of 'Animal Farm', what decoration does Napoleon award himself with?

The Order of Freedom.
Correct answer: Order of the Green Banner.
The Medal of Valor.
The Order of the Green Pasture.
The Hero of the Farm Award.

Q5.
Complete the rewritten commandment from chapter 8 of 'Animal Farm'. "No animals shall kill another animal__________."

Correct Answer: without cause., Without cause., with out cause

Q6.
What message is George Orwell conveying about power and corruption in 'Animal Farm' based on the text's discussion of changing commandments and the pigs' actions?

He is advocating for strong centralised power to maintain order.
Correct answer: He believes that power always leads to corruption and tyranny.
He suggests that revolutions are never a good idea.
He believes that power and corruption are unrelated in political systems.

To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Animal Farm': reading Chapter 8 and the pigs' corruption, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...