War Horse - Chapter 5 — J23 Education

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Key Vocabulary

Click a word to reveal its definition.

revelled ▼

Took great delight or pleasure in something; enjoyed it wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm.

devotion ▼

Strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person or cause; dedication given wholeheartedly.

tedious ▼

Too long, slow, or dull; causing boredom through repetition or lack of variety.

snaffle ▼

A simple type of bit — the metal piece that goes in a horse's mouth — used to steer and control it.

cumbersome ▼

Large, heavy, or awkward; difficult to carry, handle, or move with ease.

trepidation ▼

A feeling of fear or anxiety about something that is about to happen; nervous apprehension.

consolation ▼

Comfort received after a loss or disappointment; something that makes a difficult situation slightly easier to bear.

Jerry ▼

British slang used during WWI and WWII to refer to a German soldier or Germany as a whole.

stallion ▼

An adult male horse that has not been castrated; often used for breeding or as a powerful working horse.

Questions

Overview

1

What impression do we get of Corporal Samuel Perkins?

(3 marks)
2

Which soldier does Joey like most?

(1 mark)
3

Does Captain Nicholls think the war will be easy? Why does he think this?

(4 marks)
4

How does Nicholls help Joey?

(2 marks)

Deep Dive

5

What does the phrase 'changed from a working farmhorse into a cavalry mount' mean?

(2 marks)
6

Why doesn't Joey like Samuel Perkins?

(2 marks)
7

What is Nicholls' hobby?

(1 mark)
8

Who is the Stubbs that Nicholls mentions? Use Google if you need to!

(3 marks)
9

What happened to the Light Brigade at Balaclava? Use Google if you need to!

(3 marks)
10

What does the Corporal of Horse say about Joey?

(2 marks)

Imagine

11

Have you ever had to learn a new skill? What was it and why was it hard?

(15 marks)

Total: _____ / 38

Chapter Summary

What Happens

Joey begins training for the army. His trainer, Corporal Samuel Perkins, is rough with him and feared by both the men and the horses. Captain Nicholls, by contrast, is kind to Joey and worried about how destructive the war will be. He intervenes to ensure Joey is treated more gently, making his training considerably easier. Joey performs exceptionally well in the drill, outrunning every other horse except Topthorn, a powerful black stallion. With training complete, it is now time to leave for France.