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:

To determine the irony, we analyze the pigs' actions. Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. When the pigs took control of the farm, they prohibited alcohol (establishing a rule). Now, they are drinking beer, which goes against their own previous rule. Let's evaluate the options:

• The first option is about being watched, not irony related to their own rules.
• The second option is about planting barley for beer, but irony is about a rule contradiction, not the purpose of planting.
• The third option says they changed rules to allow limited drinking, but the excerpt shows them drinking beer freely, and the key irony is the contrast with their initial prohibition, not a limited allowance change.
• The fourth option: They prohibited alcohol when taking control, but now they drink beer, creating a contradictory situation (irony as they go against their own earlier rule).

Answer:

D. They prohibited alcohol when they took control of the farm.