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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 is the name of the quarter in which the narrator lives?

2. Where is the tenant squashing bugs?

3. What does Yvonne stuff in her clothing?

4. What kind of children does Charlie say Yvonne had?

5. At what time in the afternoon does someone get fired?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator believe that people are kept in poverty?

2. How does the narrator spend his last days in Paris?

3. How do Boris and the narrator pass the time while they wait for the restaurant to open?

4. Why is the narrator berated for wearing a mustache in chapter 13?

5. Why does Boris fall into despair in chapter 6?

6. Describe the story Charlie tells in chapter 18?

7. Describe the Russian society in chapter 8.

8. Describe the narrator's job at the hotel.

9. Describe the ghetto where the narrator lives.

10. Describe the working conditions at the Auberge.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what way does the dining and kitchen in Hotel X symbolize the difference between the working and upper classes? What do the students think are the main difference between the classes? In such an environment is it possible for the working classes to rise into roles currently filled by the upper classes?

Essay Topic 2

Down and Out in Paris and London is a semi-autobiographical novel, adhering to the rule, writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Orwell knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Orwell does not portray a character or setting so well? What affect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Down and Out in Paris and London is a famous book which has greatly influenced modern literature. Choose a book written after Down and Out in Paris and London and discuss how you think it was influenced by the novel. Discuss there similarities in terms of

a) plot

b) character

c) themes

(see the answer keys)

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