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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the main characteristic of the poems, written by the poet mentioned in Chapter 17?
(a) They are obscene.
(b) They have an ABAB rhyme scheme.
(c) The first and last lines share the same rhyme.
(d) They are popular with children.

2. Why is the reviewer having such difficulty writing his reviews?
(a) He is afraid of offending the works' authors.
(b) The works he is reviewing are boring.
(c) He is too busy to write them.
(d) He keeps getting interrupted.

3. What kind of person would be Orwell's ideal murder-mystery protagonist?
(a) A celebrity.
(b) A lower-class citizen.
(c) A rich aristocrat.
(d) A local professional.

4. Orwell refers to what form of medieval art to back up his claims about outdoor workers and nature?
(a) Ballads.
(b) Stories.
(c) Paintings.
(d) Sculpture.

5. According to Orwell, what flaw is shared by all of the titles he mentions in Chapter 16?
(a) A boring plot.
(b) Unmemorable characters.
(c) A kind of absurdity.
(d) Poor writing skill.

6. Orwell feels that it is possible to play sports, for fun and recreation, in the absence of what?
(a) Fans.
(b) The players' personal pride.
(c) Nationalist spirit.
(d) Monetary concerns.

7. How does Orwell feel about people bonding through sports?
(a) He thinks it is the best way to bond.
(b) He thinks there are better ways to bond.
(c) He doesn't offer an opinion.
(d) He doesn't believe it is possible.

8. What conclusion does Orwell reach about the prices of the commodities he compares in Chapter 15?
(a) Alcohol is more expensive than food, but well worth it.
(b) The only way to afford books is to cut out other luxuries, such as movies and records.
(c) For the price of a year's worth of alcohol and cigarettes, one could purchase a respectable collection of books.
(d) Books are more expensive than food and clothing, and Orwell doesn't understand why.

9. According to Orwell, what is the reason that people don't read?
(a) Books are too expensive.
(b) Reading a book takes too much effort.
(c) They would rather go to movies, to pubs, or watch dog racing.
(d) The plots of most books are boring.

10. How many crimes does Orwell mention as being turned into great literature?
(a) Nine.
(b) Three.
(c) Seven.
(d) Eleven.

11. What does Orwell cite as a reason for the quality of contemporary murder literature?
(a) The government is censoring it too much.
(b) There are currently no good writers.
(c) Crimes are becoming less memorable.
(d) People aren't interested in reading it.

12. How many works is the person in Chapter 14 attempting to review?
(a) Four.
(b) One.
(c) Two.
(d) Five.

13. According to Orwell, what ideal is at stake in international sports competitions?
(a) Prestige.
(b) Fairness.
(c) Sportsmanship.
(d) Skill.

14. Orwell remarks that no one ever plants what type of tree?
(a) Maple.
(b) Apple.
(c) Oak.
(d) Walnut.

15. What types of sporting events does Orwell support?
(a) Youth events.
(b) Events held for charity.
(c) Local, friendly games.
(d) International sports.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Orwell, how would reviews be handled in an ideal world?

2. Which of these is NOT one of the books Orwell names as a "good bad book"?

3. Why does Orwell claim that his readers think farmers and fishermen wouldn't be interested in reading his essays about nature?

4. What does "Helen's Babies" say about America, according to Orwell?

5. In Chapter 15, Orwell tallies the price of what commodities?

(see the answer keys)

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