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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. Where was Winston when he discovered the war had switched again in Part 2, Chapter 8?

2. What does Mr. Charrington order the officers to do in Part 2, Chapter 10?

3. What has it taken Winston forty years to learn the nature of?

4. What is the most feared place in the Ministry of Love?

5. What does Winston's bed feel like in Part 3, Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the most important theme of Nineteen Eighty-Four, and why?

3. How does Winston betray Julia? What is the significance of this?

4. According to O'Brien, where does reality exist?

5. What does Winston admire about his mother?

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

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

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

9. When questioned by O'Brien, Winston and Julia state that they are willing to commit many crimes, including the killing of innocent people. Do you think this is justifiable, given the terrible nature of the Party?

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

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

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 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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