Page 42 - 1012

2012 ‫מועד אוקטובר‬ - 41 - ‫ פרק ראשו ן‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Text II (Questions 18-22)

(1) Like other famous nineteenth-century novels, Black Beauty – the adventures of a horse by
that name – is often published today in abridged editions that omit portions of the narrative
and simplify the language. As a result, the work is generally considered to be just another
children's story about animals.

(5) Yet Black Beauty was not originally intended for juvenile audiences. Its author, Anna
Sewell, wrote the novel as both an impassioned plea and a reasoned argument for the humane
treatment of horses. This was an issue of no little significance in post-Industrial Revolution
England, where horse-drawn vehicles were the principal means of transportation but the
animals that drew them were often perceived as hardly different from the steam engines that

(10) pulled trains. Overworking, whipping, and otherwise mistreating horses were common and
accepted practices. In addition, it was fashionable in many circles to harness driving horses
with a "bearing rein," which forced the horses to hold their necks high – creating a supposedly
elegant look at the expense of the animals' comfort and health.

Appalled by what she saw around her, Sewell conveyed her message in a manner that left
(15) no doubt about her opinions. Indeed, today she would likely be accused of excessive

preaching. However, in an era when pamphlets on moral issues were commonly circulated
and even novelists frequently lectured their readers directly, Sewell was relatively subtle in
her approach. She employed the innovative literary device of telling the story from the
perspective of a horse. Black Beauty is not only the main character but also the narrator of
(20) the novel, which is subtitled The Autobiography of a Horse.

Since its first publication in 1877, over 30 million copies of Black Beauty have been
printed – a number unmatched by any other work of fiction. Shortly after it appeared, George
Ansell, the founder of an American animal welfare organization, arranged for the printing of
100,000 copies, which were distributed to people who worked with horses. In the years that

(25) followed, the use of bearing reins was abandoned and the treatment of horses improved
significantly.

Questions

18. It can be inferred from the first paragraph that many readers of Black Beauty today -

(1) do not believe that it is appropriate for children
(2) find it exciting and full of adventure
(3) do not read the complete, original edition of the book
(4) prefer other children's stories about animals

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬