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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 much does the narrator earn per month at the restaurant?

2. What two words does the narrator associate with a plongeur's work?

3. At what time do people start getting depressed?

4. How many gas stoves are there in the restaurant kitchen?

5. What does the landlady tell her tenant not to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the narrator's routine as a plongeur.

3. Describe the Russian society in chapter 8.

4. Describe the story Valenti tells in chapter 15.

5. Describe the working conditions at the Auberge.

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

7. Describe Boris and the narrator's interview at the Auberge.

8. Describe the narrator's Saturday nights.

9. How does the narrator get money in chapter 4?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Down and Out in Paris and London focuses on poverty.

1) Why was poverty such an issue in 1930's Europe?

2) What problems did Orwell highlight concerning poverty?

3) What problems concerning poverty in Europe could Orwell focus on today?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Orwell use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the novel and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Why? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

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