Black Beauty
"In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice:
“I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished horse like that.”
“'Handsome is that handsome does',” said my master; “you are only taking him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back.”
I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said:
“That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now.”
A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself.
“White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot just in that place;” then looking at the middle of my back—“and, as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?—little Joe Green, that almost killed you?” And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed.
I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up to him, and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so pleased."
Read the extract above carefully, then answer the following question:
Question: Describe the specific physical characteristics that Joe Green observes on Black Beauty, and explain how these observations lead him to conclude the horse's true identity. What is Joe Green's immediate emotional reaction upon this realisation?
💡 Writing Tips
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Scan the text for descriptive words related to Black Beauty's appearance. List each physical mark or characteristic that Joe Green mentions. Then, explain how these individual details combine to form his complete understanding. Finally, identify words or phrases that show Joe's feelings right after he recognises Black Beauty.
📝 Sample Answer
Joe Green observes several specific physical characteristics on Black Beauty that lead him to his realisation. Initially, he notices the horse's 'star in the forehead' and comments that the height is similar to Black Beauty. As he cleans the horse, he then finds 'a little knot' in the skin on its neck, where the horse had previously been bled. Finally, he sees 'that little patch of white hair that John used to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'' on Black Beauty's back. These distinctive marks, along with the star and height, combine in Joe's mind to confirm Black Beauty's identity.
Joe Green's immediate emotional reaction is one of profound joy and excitement. The text states that 'He almost started, and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself.' His exclamation, 'It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?—little Joe Green, that almost killed you?', conveys disbelief and overwhelming happiness. He then demonstrates his joy physically, 'patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed,' and Black Beauty remarks, 'I never saw a man so pleased,' further highlighting Joe's immense delight.
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