Question

read the passage from animal farm.
in january food fell short. the corn ration was drastically reduced, and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it. then it was discovered that the greater part of the potato crop had been frosted in the clamps, which had not been covered thickly enough. the potatoes had become soft and discoloured, and only a few were edible. for days at a time the animals had nothing to eat but chaff and mangelwurzels. starvation seemed to stare them in the face.
it was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world. emboldened by the collapse of the windmill, the human beings were inventing fresh lies about animal farm. 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. napoleon was well aware of the bad results that might follow if the real facts of the food situation were known, and he decided to make use of mr. whymper to spread a contrary impression. hitherto the animals had had little or no contact with whymper on his weekly visits: now, however, a few selected animals, mostly sheep, were instructed to remark casually in his hearing that rations had been increased. in addition, napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand, which was then covered up with what remained of the grain and meal. on some suitable pretext whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. he was deceived, and continued to report to the outside world that there was no food shortage on animal farm.
which statements about the passage support the idea that this passage is an allegory for the famine in the soviet union? select three options.

• the food rations have been cut and animals are starving.
• the windmill has collapsed and people are talking about it.
• the animals have never had contact with mr. whymper.
• the reality of the food shortage is hidden from the public.
• napoleon resorts to propaganda to spread lies.

Explanation:

1. For the first option: The passage says food fell short, rations reduced, and animals faced starvation, matching the Soviet famine's food shortage.
2. For the fourth option: The passage states they needed to conceal the food shortage from the outside world, which is hiding the reality from the public, similar to Soviet efforts to hide the famine.
3. For the fifth option: The passage mentions human beings (representing Soviet authorities) inventing lies, and Napoleon (representing Stalin - like figures) using propaganda (spreading lies) is in line with Soviet propaganda during the famine.

The second option is about the windmill collapse (not directly about famine) and the third is about contact with Mr. Whymper (not related to famine allegory).

Answer:

A. The food rations have been cut and animals are starving.
D. The reality of the food shortage is hidden from the public.
E. Napoleon resorts to propaganda to spread lies.