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

2. "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: ___________________"

3. With whom is Oceania at war?

4. What does Winston decide to do with the prostitute?

5. What is written on the flag that keeps flapping?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. "All history was a palimpsest, scraped clean and reinscribed exactly as often as was necessary." What is a palimpsest, and why do you think the author used this word?

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

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

6. What does Part 1, Chapter 1 show the reader about the quality of Oceania's services and products?

7. Look up the word "proletariat" in the dictionary. What does it mean? Why does the Party ignore the proles? Is this strange?

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

9. Why will no Party woman wear perfume?

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay arguing either for or against the creation of a secret police force in America. Be sure to back up your opinions with examples from history and lessons learned from past governments.

Essay Topic 3

In essay format, discuss how you would have ended the story of Winston Smith. Be sure to explain:

1) Why you feel it is necessary to change the ending.

2) The insight into human nature that your ending would provide.

3) What you would have done if you were in Winston's shoes.

(see the answer keys)

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