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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. According to Burnham, what place do workers occupy in the new socialist structure?
(a) Burnham does not discuss the socialist position of workers, only managers.
(b) They are semi-slaves, who are at the bottom of the pyramid.
(c) They are near the top of the pyramid.
(d) They are somewhere in the middle of the pyramid.

3. What crucial element of Shakespeare's works does Tolstoy fail to recognize, according to Orwell?
(a) Shakespeare's lack of education.
(b) The social commentary in Shakespeare's works.
(c) The fact that Shakespeare deliberately incorporated flaws into his work.
(d) Shakespeare's status as a poet.

4. How does Orwell propose to aid the English language?
(a) He does not think there is anything that can be done.
(b) To address the issue to teachers of the language.
(c) To inject clear thinking into the process aiding readers in fundamental remedies.
(d) To appeal to writers of grammar books and dictionaries.

5. How does the elephant die?
(a) It dies quickly and painlessly.
(b) It kills two people before finally collapsing.
(c) It is shot twice but dies slowly.
(d) It doesn't die, it escapes.

6. What does Orwell feel can help to reverse the downward trend of the English language?
(a) Common sense.
(b) Nothing.
(c) Better education.
(d) Caring more.

7. How do the Burmese treat the narrator?
(a) They are respectful to his face, but sneer at him behind his back.
(b) They are openly violent at times.
(c) They are respectful and grateful to him.
(d) They harass and insult him whenever they can.

8. What does the creature do as the prisoner is being led to his execution?
(a) Bites the executioner.
(b) Rampages through the crowd of spectators.
(c) Jumps up and tries to lick the prisoner's face.
(d) Stings the attending guard.

9. What was the substance of the second speaker's argument, in Chapter 8?
(a) He argued that freedom of the press and freedom of speech are not necessarily the same.
(b) He argued that liberty was a good thing, in very specific circumstances.
(c) He argued against freedom of the press.
(d) He felt liberty was a good thing, but spoke in a very general way.

10. Why does the narrator hesitate to kill the elephant?
(a) He feels compassion for it.
(b) He doesn't want to lose face.
(c) It is a large and expensive piece of machinery.
(d) He is afraid of the repercussions from the angry crowd.

11. What does Orwell mean by the phrase "verbal false limbs"?
(a) Unnecessarily turning a word into a phrase.
(b) Adding unnecessary phrases to a sentence.
(c) Unnecessary prefixes and suffixes.
(d) Using an incorrect word in place of another.

12. How is the Burmese jail described?
(a) Small and dank.
(b) Wet and unsanitary.
(c) Spacious and institutional.
(d) Old and musty.

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

14. Tolstoy wrote a biting criticism of what playwright's work?
(a) Shakespeare.
(b) Molière.
(c) Marlowe
(d) Aeschylus.

15. What does the narrator call the hospital?
(a) "L'hopital du mort."
(b) "Hopital X."
(c) "The Tomb."
(d) "Nurse Ratchet's wing."

Short Answer Questions

1. What two groups does Orwell name as an example of people for whom Satyagraha would be an ineffective political tool?

2. In what country is the narrator, in Chapter 3?

3. Why does the narrator eventually shoot the elephant?

4. In Chapter 7, Orwell wonders if Gandhi was motivated by what vice?

5. How does Orwell feel about Gandhi's involvement in politics?

(see the answer keys)

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