Question

read the excerpt from chapter 10 of animal farm. the pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs. the company had been enjoying a game of cards but had broken off for the moment, evidently in order to drink a toast. a large jug was circulating, and the mugs were being refilled with beer. no one noticed the wondering faces of the animals that gazed in at the window. what is ironic about the pigs’ activities in this excerpt?

• they fail to notice that other animals are watching them.
• they had previously planted barley in order to make beer.
• they changed the rules to allow drinking in a limited quantity.
• they prohibited alcohol when they took control of the farm.

Explanation:

Irony arises from a contrast between expectation and reality. The pigs initially banned alcohol when they seized control of the farm (as part of their anti-human rules), but now they are drinking beer. This contradicts their earlier prohibition, making their current activity ironic.

Answer:

They prohibited alcohol when they took control of the farm.