View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who were three of the original survivors of the revolution of whom Winston saw a picture?

2. Who is Julia?

3. What does the Junior Anti-Sex League do?

4. What is Parsons collecting money for in Part 1, Chapter 5?

5. What does Julia think is behind the picture in Part 2, Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Try to imagine what it would be like to live in a country like Oceania where you are constantly watched by government agents. How would you feel?

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

3. Doublethink is believing that something is true when you know it is false. Do you really think that doublethink is possible? Can you find any examples of doublethink in the real world?

4. Judging by the dream Winston has about the girl with dark hair, how does he appear to feel about her?

5. Why will no Party woman wear perfume?

6. When Winston was young, he and his family had to take shelter in a subway station because London was being attacked. An old man was crying, "We didn't ought to have trusted them." Who should not have trusted?

7. Why does the Party turn a blind eye to prostitution? What type of sex will it not allow?

8. Describe Winston's marriage. Why did he separate from his wife?

9. When Winston kisses Julia, he feels "incredulity and pride ... but he had no physical desire." Why do you think he feels this way? What does it reveal about why he needs Julia?

10. In your own words, how does Winston describe Mr. Parsons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oceania has been at war ever since Winston can remember. However, the country that it has been at war with has changed, and it seems that the Party wants Oceania to constantly be at war with someone. Why would a government want to have a permanent state of war? What benefits could a government get from it? Be sure to use real-world examples to back up your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Love is one of the most fundamental human emotions. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, love and sexual affection are outlawed so that citizens will reserve their love for Big Brother. Write an essay explaining:

1) Why love is (or is not) important.

2) The ways that love can fundamentally change a person's life.

3) Whether or not love can really "conquer all." Examples, both literary and real, are encouraged.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,125 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample