Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, and he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he claims dominion over all animals. He sets us to work, returns only the bare minimum to keep us from starving, and keeps the rest for himself. Our labour tills the soil, our dung fertilizes it, and still, not one of us owns more than our bare skin. You cows, look at yourselves-how many thousands of gallons of milk have you produced this past year? And what has become of it, milk that should have nurtured strong calves? Every drop has gone down the throats of our enemies. And you hens, how many eggs have you laid, and how many of those ever hatched into chicks? The rest have gone to market to bring in money for Jones and his men. And you, Clover, where are the four foals you bore, who should have supported and comforted you in your old age? Each was sold at just a year old-you will never see them again. For all your labour in the fields and your four confinements, what have you gained except bare rations and a stall?
Even the lives we do live are cut short, denied their natural span. I do not grumble, for I am among the fortunate. I am twelve years old and have borne over four hundred children. Such is the natural life of a pig. But no animal escapes the cruel knife in the end. You young porkers sitting before me, each of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year. This is the fate that awaits all of us-cows, pigs, hens, sheep, everyone. Even horses and dogs share no better end. Boxer, the very day your great muscles fail you, Jones will sell you to the knacker, who will slit your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds. And the dogs, when old and toothless, are tied with a brick and drowned in the nearest pond. (356 words) [Extracted with edits from George Orwell’s ”Animal Farm”]
Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?
Correct Answer :
Critical, somber, and resentful, evoking both awareness and outrage
Solution :
Correct Answer: Critical, somber, and resentful, evoking both awareness and outrage
Explanation:
To determine the correct tone of the given passage, let us analyze the vocabulary, themes, and emotional weight expressed by the speaker (Old Major from George Orwell's Animal Farm):
1. Critical: The speaker harshly criticizes human behavior, pointing out how man "consumes without producing" and takes advantage of all other living creatures without giving anything meaningful in return.
2. Somber: The passage highlights grim and dark realities of slaughter, forced labor, loss of offspring, and cruel death ("no animal escapes the cruel knife in the end", "screaming your lives out at the block", "slit your throat and boil you down"). The mood is serious, heavy, and tragic.
3. Resentful & Outrage-evoking: Words like "enemies", "bare minimum to keep us from starving", and direct questioning of animals about their stolen eggs, milk, and offspring emphasize deep resentment towards human tyranny and aim to incite outrage among the listeners to raise their awareness.
Evaluating the options:
- Detached and neutral: Incorrect, as the text is deeply emotional, passionate, and persuasive.
- Humorous and light-hearted: Incorrect, as the subjects discussed are life, exploitation, and death.
- Admiring and celebratory: Incorrect, as it strongly condemns human actions rather than praising them.
- Critical, somber, and resentful, evoking both awareness and outrage: Correct, as it perfectly aligns with the imagery, emotional charge, and purpose of the passage.
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