Chapter 7

Question 1

sleet

Answer 1

Rain containing some ice, as when snow melts as it falls.
e.g
The stormy weather was followed by sleet and snow, and then by a hard frost which did not break till well into February.

Question 2

envious

Answer 2

Feeling or showing envy.
e.g
The animals carried on as best they could with the rebuilding of the windmill, well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time.

Question 3

rejoice

Answer 3

Feel or show great joy or delight.
e.g
The animals carried on as best they could with the rebuilding of the windmill, well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time.

Question 4

inspiration

Answer 4

The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
e.g
Squealer made excellent speeches on the joy of service and the dignity of labour, but the other animals found more inspiration in Boxer’s strength and his never-failing cry of “I will work harder!”

Question 5

drastically

Answer 5

In a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect
e.g
The corn ration was drastically reduced, and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it.

Question 6

vitally

Answer 6

In a way that is absolutely necessary or essential.
e.g
It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world.

Question 7

embolden

Answer 7

Give (someone) the courage or confidence to do something.
e.g
Emboldened by the collapse of the windmill, the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm.

Question 8

infanticide

Answer 8

The crime of a mother killing her child within a year of birth.
e.g
Once again it was being put about that all the animals were dying of famine and disease, and that they were continually fighting among themselves and had resorted to cannibalism and infanticide.

Question 9

cannibalism

Answer 9

The practice of eating the flesh of one’s own species
e.g
Once again it was being put about that all the animals were dying of famine and disease, and that they were continually fighting among themselves and had resorted to cannibalism and infanticide.

Question 10

glimpse

Answer 10

A momentary or partial view.
e.g
On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins.

Question 11

ceremonial

Answer 11

Relating to or used for formal religious or public events.
e.g
. When he did emerge, it was in a ceremonial manner, with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near.

Question 12

clutch

Answer 12

Grasp (something) tightly.
e.g
They were just getting their clutches ready for the spring sitting, and they protested that to take the eggs away now was murder.

Question 13

expulsion

Answer 13

The action of forcing someone to leave an organization
e.g
For the first time since the expulsion of Jones, there was something resembling a rebellion.

Question 14

unanimously

Answer 14

Without opposition; with the agreement of all people involved.
e.g
The cows declared unanimously that Snowball crept into their stalls and milked them in their sleep.

Question 15

exclaim

Answer 15

Cry out suddenly in surprise, strong emotion, or pain.
e.g
He would put his snout to the ground, give several deep sniffs, ad 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.

Question 16

pervading

Answer 16

(especially of a smell) spread through and be perceived in every part of
e.g
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.

Question 17

vanity

Answer 17

Excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements.
e.g
We had thought that Snowball’s rebellion was caused simply by his vanity and ambition

Question 18

ambition

Answer 18

A strong desire to do or achieve something.
e.g
We had thought that Snowball’s rebellion was caused simply by his vanity and ambition

Question 19

flee/fled

Answer 19

Run away from a place or situation of danger.
e.g
Do you not remember how, just at the moment when Jones and his men had got inside the yard, Snowball suddenly turned and fled, and many animals followed him? And do you not remember, too, that it was just at that moment, when panic was spreading and all seemed lost, that Comrade Napoleon sprang forward with a cry of ‘Death to Humanity!’ and sank his teeth in Jones’s leg? Surely you remember THAT, comrades?” exclaimed Squealer, frisking from side to side.

Question 20

categorically

Answer 20

In a way that is unambiguously explicit and direct.
e.g
“Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon,” announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, “has stated categorically–categorically, comrade–that Snowball was Jones’s agent from the very beginning–yes, and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of.”

Question 21

lurking

Answer 21

Remaining hidden so as to wait in ambush.
e.g
For we have reason to think that some of Snowball’s secret agents are lurking among us at this moment!”

Question 22

sternly

Answer 22

In a serious and severe manner, especially when asserting authority or exercising discipline
e.g
Napoleon stood sternly surveying his audience; then he uttered a high-pitched whimper.

Question 23

countenance

Answer 23

A person’s face or facial expression.
e.g
Napoleon appeared to change countenance, and sharply ordered Boxer to let the dog go, whereat Boxer lifted his hoof, and the dog slunk away, bruised and howling.

Question 24

tumult

Answer 24

A loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.
e.g
Presently the tumult died down.

Question 25

retribution

Answer 25

Punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
e.g
the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball, or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed.

Question 26

fidget

Answer 26

Make small movements, especially of the hands and feet, through nervousness or impatience.
e.g
He fidgeted to and fro, swishing his long black tail against his sides and occasionally uttering a little whinny of surprise.

Question 27

gilded

Answer 27

Covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint.
e.g
The grass and the bursting hedges were gilded by the level rays of the sun.

Question 28

abolish

Answer 28

Formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).
e.g
He announced that, by a special decree of Comrade Napoleon, ‘Beasts of England’ had been abolished.

Question 29

hoist

Answer 29

Raise (something) by means of ropes and pulleys.
e.g
Animal Farm, Animal Farm,
Never through me shalt thou come to harm! and this was sung every Sunday morning after the hoisting of the flag.