10
QuizMultiple Choice

Animal Farm, Part 6: Author’s Purpose — Quiz

Question 10 • Literature and Composition II

Read the passage from Animal Farm. Napoleon decreed that there should be a full investigation into Snowball's activities. With his dogs in attendance he set out and made a careful tour of inspection of the farm buildings, the other animals following at a respectful distance. At every few steps Napoleon stopped and snuffed the ground for traces of Snowball's footsteps, which, he said, he could detect by the smell. He snuffed in every corner, in the barn, in the cow-shed, in the henhouses, in the vegetable garden, and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere. He would put his snout to the ground, give several deep sniffs, and exclaim in a terrible voice, "Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!" and at the word "Snowball" all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth. The animals were thoroughly frightened. It seemed to them as though Snowball were some kind of invisible influence, pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers. How does the characterization of Snowball best support the author’s purpose?

Answer
A
Snowball, characterized as a villain, shows how even the most loyal subjects can turn against a leader.
B
Snowball, characterized as a spy, shows how dictators use people to do their dirty work for them.
C
Snowball, characterized as a loner, shows how vital it is for people to escape from dictators like Napoleon.
D
Snowball, characterized as a traitor, shows how dictators use scapegoats to ramp up fear and keep control.

Explanation

Napoleon claims to find Snowball’s traces everywhere, even though Snowball is absent, and the dogs’ growling makes the animals afraid. By portraying Snowball as a traitor and constant threat, Napoleon gives the animals someone to blame and frightens them into accepting his control. This supports the idea that dictators use scapegoats to increase fear and maintain power, so the best choice is “Snowball, characterized as a traitor, shows how dictators use scapegoats to ramp up fear and keep control.”

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