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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 does Julia think is really launching the rocketbombs?

2. What is not statistical, as stated in Part 2, Chapter 8?

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

4. How does Winston feel towards Big Brother?

5. What makes Winston cry in Part 3, Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What "progress" has Winston made by Part 3, Chapter 4? What does Winston have to do before his re-education is complete?

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

4. What does Winston admire about his mother?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the most important theme of Nineteen Eighty-Four, 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

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 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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