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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 is the specialty gin of the cafe?

2. What is the object of power, according to O'Brien?

3. What does Winston realize about secrets?

4. What is the only efficient thing in Oceania?

5. What was smashed during the arrest of Winston and Julia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Winston and Julia mean when they say "We are the dead?"

2. Describe the forced-labor camps, according to the common criminals.

3. Winston tells Julia that she is "only a rebel from the waist downwards." What does he mean by this, and is it true?

4. What does Winston's betrayal reveal about his character? What do you think of him now?

5. What does Winston think O'Brien will say is the reason the Party seeks power?

6. What is unusual about O'Brien? Do you think he can be trusted? Why or why not?

7. What does Winston think the Party and the Ministry of Love can never do? Why?

8. How does Winston feel towards O'Brien in Part 3, Chapter 2? Why do you think this is?

9. How can Winston still achieve victory over the Party in Part 3, Chapter 4?

10. What is the significance of O'Brien's reference to Syme?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Revolutions are not simple things. Many revolutions end up being "betrayed," as the government that follows the revolution often ends up being very different from how the revolutionaries originally intended. In the book, Big Brother turns against the other architects of the revolution, discredits them, and has them executed. The Party of Winston's day bears little resemblance to the society that its founders imagined, at least from Winston's perspective.

Find a real-world example of a revolution that you think has been "betrayed," showing the difference between what the revolutionaries originally intended and what eventually happened. If there is some historical disagreement about the revolution, be sure to show both sides of the argument in addition to your own thoughts.

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

The Party relies on two key human attributes to guarantee their power - ignorance and fear. The fear comes from the power of Big Brother and the Thought Police to kill anyone, at anytime. The ignorance comes from the failure of the majority of citizens in Oceania to understand the inherent lies of Ingsoc.

Which attribute, fear or ignorance, do you feel is the most important and useful to the Party? Write an essay explaining your thoughts, and try to use real-world examples of governments who have ruled through fear, ignorance, or both.

(see the answer keys)

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