Question

Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered. He seldom talked, and when he did it was usually to make some cynical remark—for instance he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. If asked why, he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at. Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking.

–Animal Farm,
George Orwell

Which line from the passage best supports the description of Benjamin as "cynical”?

“Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered.”
“He would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.”
“Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer.”
“The two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard.”

Answer 1

“He would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.”

This line shows Benjamin’s skeptical, negative outlook—an example of a cynical remark.