War Horse - Chapter 1 — J23 Education

Watch before you begin

Key Vocabulary

Click a word to reveal its definition.

colt ▼

A young male horse, usually under four years old.

auction ▼

A public sale where items are sold to whoever offers the most money.

guineas ▼

An old British coin worth 21 shillings — traditionally used for buying and selling horses.

halter ▼

A rope or strap fitted around a horse's head, used to lead or tie it.

paddock ▼

A small enclosed field or pen where horses are kept.

plough ▼

A farming tool that cuts and turns over soil to prepare it for growing crops.

foal ▼

A horse that is less than one year old.

muzzle ▼

The projecting part of an animal's face, including the nose and mouth.

torment ▼

To cause great suffering or distress; to be a source of ongoing pain or misery.

loft ▼

A storage space just under the roof of a barn, often used for hay.

Questions

Overview

1

Name the characters in the text and write a sentence about who they are.

(10 marks)
2

What is unusual about the main character? How do you think it will affect the story?

(3 marks)
3

What impression do you get of Albert's father?

(2 marks)
4

How does each family member feel about the horse? Give evidence.

(3 marks)

Deep Dive

5

Do you think three guineas is a lot of money? Why?

(2 marks)
6

Why do you think the farmer's friends are 'red faced'?

(1 mark)
7

How old is Albert?

(1 mark)

Imagine

8

How would you feel in Joey's situation in this chapter?

(15 marks)

Total: _____ / 37

Chapter Summary

What Happens

Joey is a colt who is sold at auction to a drunk farmer. He is taken back to the farm alongside Zoey, an old horse, where he meets Albert and his mother. Despite the farmer's rough and reckless behaviour, Joey and Albert form an immediate and powerful bond.

Key Characters

Joey — the narrator of the story; a young colt experiencing the world for the first time. His perspective as a horse gives the reader a unique and innocent view of events.

Albert — a young boy who falls instantly in love with Joey. He is kind, gentle and determined.

Albert's father (the farmer) — impulsive and irresponsible; he buys Joey while drunk, despite the horse being unsuitable for farm work. He creates tension within the family.

Albert's mother — practical and anxious; she is unhappy about the purchase and worried about money.

Zoey — the old farm horse who already lives at the farm when Joey arrives.

Key Themes

Friendship and loyalty — the bond between Joey and Albert is central from the very first chapter.

Class and money — the three guineas paid for Joey represents a reckless extravagance for a struggling farming family.

Innocence — told from Joey's point of view, the chapter carries a sense of wonder and vulnerability.

Discussion — watch after completing the questions