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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. How many hours a day does the narrator work at the restaurant?

2. How much money is the narrator living on a day?

3. What is the name of the narrator's Russian friend?

4. Where is the tenant squashing bugs?

5. Which part of Boris' body is badly hurt?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the ghetto where the narrator lives.

2. What illusion does the narrator say the success of the restaurant destroys in chapter 21?

3. How does the narrator describe waiters in chapter 14?

4. In what way is Boris in bad shape in chapter 5?

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

6. Describe the Russian society in chapter 8.

7. Describe the narrator's Saturday nights.

8. In what way does the narrator's life get better in chapter 17?

9. Describe the story Charlie tells in the second chapter?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is the narrator is so nostalgic about going to London? How do the students think the narrator feels when proves his nostalgia was misplaced? Is this often the case with nostalgia?

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

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Orwell use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Besides from the main character examine the way Orwell uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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