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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 does the girl with the dark hair do in Winston's dream?

2. In Newspeak, what word will eventually replace "bad"?

3. What is the prole woman doing outside the window in Part 2, Chapter 4?

4. What smell is common to Winston's apartment building?

5. What is the Newspeak word for individualism?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Winston really feel about Big Brother and the Party?

2. In Winston's dream, the man O'Brien says "We will meet in the place where there is no darkness." What do you think he meant by this?

3. How have Winston's feelings towards Julia changed by Part 2, Chapter 4?

4. What is the difference between Winston and Julia's feelings about their future?

5. What might the woman singing in the street symbolizes?

6. Syme explains that the most important part of Newspeak is not the creation of new words, but the deletion of old words. Why might this be more important? What is the true purpose of Newspeak?

7. Why are the proles the only force capable of overthrowing the Party?

8. What is the significance is behind Winston's dream about his mother? How might she have died?

9. Explain Julia's attitude towards the Party. What does this reveal about her character?

10. How would you have reacted to the note? What would you have done differently, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The slogan of the Oceania's government is "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." Any act of independent thought, even writing a diary, are punishable by death. Explain the difference between life in America and life in Oceania. Are there any similarities? In your conclusion, write about some ways in which the American people can ensure that future governments do not abuse citizens like in Nineteen-Eighty-Four.

Essay Topic 2

In Oceania, children are encouraged to spy on their parents and turn them in to the Thought Police if they notice any "suspicious behavior." Would you ever turn your parents over to the police? Why or why not? In what situation would you do it? What alternatives would you have?

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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