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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. Who is Oceania at war with in Part 2, Chapter 8?

2. What was the only way for Winston to save himself in Part 3, Chapter 5?

3. What were the police holding when they arrested Winston and Julia?

4. In Part 3, Chapter 6, what does Winston have plenty of these days?

5. According to Part 3, Chapter 6, who is Oceania at war with, and has always been at war with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might George Orwell have made the book's conclusion so tragic? What is he trying to express?

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

3. How does Winston feel about physical pain? How does this relate to what you know about Winston's character?

4. At the end of Part 2, Chapter 5, what does Winston realize about the Party and their orthodoxy? How does this relate to the everyday citizens of Oceania?

5. What are the two ultimate goals of the Party? What are they waiting for, and why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Limits on power are often referred to as "checks and balances." Write an essay on this subject, touching upon:

1) The checks and balances that exist in the U.S. Constitution.

2) Some examples of checks and balances that have succeeded or failed.

3) Your vision of what the ideal system of checks and balances would look like.

(see the answer keys)

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