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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was smashed during the arrest of Winston and Julia?

2. What does Winston's bed feel like in Part 3, Chapter 2?

3. What differentiates the way O'Brien speaks from other Inner Party members?

4. What is the last line of the rhyme in Part 2, Chapter 8?

5. If independent thought and a diary are the first step, what is the last step?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Winston's betrayal reveal about his character? What do you think of him now?

2. What does O'Brien say is the real reason the Party seeks power? How are they different from past governments?

3. What does Winston think O'Brien will say is the reason the Party seeks power?

4. What does Winston admire about his mother?

5. What is the significance of O'Brien's reference to Syme?

6. What is unusual about O'Brien? Do you think he can be trusted? Why or why not?

7. How can Winston still achieve victory over the Party in Part 3, Chapter 4?

8. When questioned by O'Brien, Winston and Julia state that they are willing to commit many crimes, including the killing of innocent people. Do you think this is justifiable, given the terrible nature of the Party?

9. Why might George Orwell have made the book's conclusion so tragic? What is he trying to express?

10. How is the Brotherhood organized, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Revolutions are not simple things. Many revolutions end up being "betrayed," as the government that follows the revolution often ends up being very different from how the revolutionaries originally intended. In the book, Big Brother turns against the other architects of the revolution, discredits them, and has them executed. The Party of Winston's day bears little resemblance to the society that its founders imagined, at least from Winston's perspective.

Find a real-world example of a revolution that you think has been "betrayed," showing the difference between what the revolutionaries originally intended and what eventually happened. If there is some historical disagreement about the revolution, be sure to show both sides of the argument in addition to your own thoughts.

Essay Topic 2

The Party relies on two key human attributes to guarantee their power - ignorance and fear. The fear comes from the power of Big Brother and the Thought Police to kill anyone, at anytime. The ignorance comes from the failure of the majority of citizens in Oceania to understand the inherent lies of Ingsoc.

Which attribute, fear or ignorance, do you feel is the most important and useful to the Party? Write an essay explaining your thoughts, and try to use real-world examples of governments who have ruled through fear, ignorance, or both.

Essay Topic 3

Fear is a common theme in literature, and a motivating factor for many characters. Write an essay that shows at least two examples of fear in literature, touching upon:

1) The type of fear, be it personal, fear for the safety of others, fear of pain, etc.

2) How the characters overcame the fear, or were overcome by it.

3) The source of the fear, and its relation to the main character.

(see the answer keys)

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