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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did the first speaker, in Chapter 8, feel about freedom of the press?
(a) It was desirable, but not necessary.
(b) It would lead to the corruption, and ultimate demise, of the government.
(c) It was desirable, but the government had a right to censor its citizens.
(d) It was a good thing - in India.

2. In what stage of Tolstoy's life did this major change occur?
(a) Middle age.
(b) Old age.
(c) Young adulthood.
(d) Youth.

3. In this story, Burma is a colony of what empire?
(a) The American Empire.
(b) The Russian Empire.
(c) The Japanese Empire.
(d) The British Empire.

4. In principle, with whom does the narrator side?
(a) The police.
(b) The British.
(c) The Burmese.
(d) The prisoners.

5. How is the prisoner going to be executed?
(a) Firing squad.
(b) Stoning.
(c) Lethal injection.
(d) Hanging.

6. How does Orwell feel about scientific words and foreign phrases?
(a) They can be used, but only when writing for a certain audience.
(b) They should only be used in certain types of literature.
(c) They are unnecessary, and should be replaced with common language.
(d) They should be used whenever possible, to elevate writing.

7. How does Gulliver believe science should be used?
(a) For practical applications, like technology, that improve the welfare of all.
(b) To wield power over those who aren't educated.
(c) To prove that some religious beliefs are absurd.
(d) As a mental exercise.

8. According to Orwell, how does Gandhi compare to other politicians of his time?
(a) He didn't accomplish as much.
(b) He didn't focus on the same issues.
(c) He left a remarkably "clean smell" behind.
(d) He accomplished much more.

9. To Orwell, freedom of the press means the liberty to do what?
(a) Express personal opinions.
(b) Put a spin on the story, as long as the facts are correct.
(c) Report anything, whether it is true or not.
(d) Criticize and oppose.

10. According to Orwell, what political structure fosters great literature?
(a) Totalitarianism.
(b) Democracy.
(c) Oligarchy.
(d) Communism.

11. Why is Orwell skeptical of Gandhi's celibacy and vegetarianism?
(a) Because Orwell doesn't think that either practice is necessary for political leverage.
(b) Because Orwell believes that Gandhi is lying about his abstinence from sex and meat.
(c) Because his reasoning is based on a view that this world is an illusion.
(d) Because Orwell doesn't understand the point of either practice.

12. What does Burnham write about the atrocities Stalin committed?
(a) The world wasn't aware of anything Stalin did until after he died.
(b) The world knew Stalin was crazy, but couldn't do anything to stop him.
(c) The world believed Stalin because he gave just enough evidence to back up his claims.
(d) The things he did were so outrageous that the rest of the world was inclined to believe his reasons for doing so.

13. What is in the prisoner's cell?
(a) A bedroll.
(b) A plank bed and water pot.
(c) A cot and toilet.
(d) Nothing.

14. The fourth speaker, in Chapter 8, defended the purges in what country?
(a) Israel.
(b) Italy.
(c) Russia.
(d) Pakistan.

15. What does Orwell say about Tolstoy's conversion?
(a) He never converted; it was a rumor.
(b) He did it to better his reputation, not because his belief was sincere.
(c) He only exchanged one form of egotism for another.
(d) He was swayed by false prophets.

Short Answer Questions

1. Overall, how does Orwell feel about "Gulliver's Travels"?

2. What crucial element of Shakespeare's works does Tolstoy fail to recognize, according to Orwell?

3. How is the Burmese jail described?

4. According to Tolstoy, Shakespeare's great reputation was propagated by whom?

5. Where do the magistrates and police convene after the prisoner's death?

(see the answer keys)

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