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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 words bring the beginning of the end for Julia and Winston?

2. In Part 3, Chapter 4, what is the third phrase Winston writes?

3. According to Part 2, Chapter 7, what remains impregnable?

4. Who wrote Goldstein's book?

5. What does everybody do when tortured?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does O'Brien say is the real reason the Party seeks power? How are they different from past governments?

3. 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?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Winston admire about his mother?

9. According to Goldstein's book, why is a state of perpetual war necessary? For what purpose?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It can be said that Winston is tragically flawed due to his continued defiance of the rules of Oceania. His actions will eventually lead to his downfall.

Think deeply about yourself and your actions. Do you know someone who has a tragic flaw, or do you yourself have one? Write an essay explaining the flaw, why you consider it to be a problem, some examples demonstrating it, and how you think you or the other person can change to fix the flaw. Remember to keep within the definition of "tragic flaw," and avoid simply writing about something that you don't like about yourself or another person.

Essay Topic 2

Privacy is a highly relevant issue in the modern world. Possibilities for surveillance and citizen control have expanded significantly since George Orwell's time, and this trend frequently inspires references in the news and pop culture to Nineteen Eighty-Four. Write an essay on the topic of privacy, stating:

1) What privacy means to you.

2) The importance of privacy to a society as a whole.

3) Your opinion on the current debate over privacy, security, terrorism, and the constitution.

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)

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