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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Orwell compares the price of a book to the price of what other luxury?
(a) A carriage ride.
(b) A bottle of whiskey.
(c) A Cuban cigar.
(d) An expensive seat at the cinema.

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

3. Orwell says, in Chapter 12, that he has occasionally found what in summer?
(a) A patch of wheat.
(b) A den of fox kits.
(c) A toad that never woke up from hibernation.
(d) A salamander, under a log.

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

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

6. 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) People aren't interested in reading it.
(d) Crimes are becoming less memorable.

7. Orwell compares "Helen's Babies" with the works of what other author?
(a) Orson Scott Wells.
(b) Mark Twain.
(c) Jules Verne.
(d) Ernest Hemingway.

8. In "Good Bad Books", what kind of books does Orwell write about?
(a) Books that are well written, and underappreciated by critics.
(b) Books that survive the test of time, but aren't necessarily "good" books.
(c) Books that aren't well written, but are popular because their authors are well known.
(d) Books that are good, but obscene.

9. What relationship does Orwell establish between social justice and nature?
(a) Nature is a blessing that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of the social injustices they endure.
(b) Only the oppressors are free to truly appreciate the beauty of nature.
(c) Nature can only be truly appreciated by those who are oppressed.
(d) There is no relationship between the two.

10. In Chapter 15, Orwell tallies the price of what commodities?
(a) Food, clothing and books.
(b) Alcohol and food.
(c) Movies, books and records.
(d) Alcohol, cigarettes and books.

11. What nonsense poet is named in Chapter 17?
(a) Christopher Isherwood.
(b) Mervyn Peake
(c) Ogden Nash.
(d) Edward Lear.

12. What does Orwell suggest as an act of contrition for someone who has committed a sin?
(a) Working to right their wrong.
(b) Confessing to a priest.
(c) Volunteerism.
(d) Planting a tree.

13. According to Orwell, what are the feelings between two teams in a sporting event?
(a) Sportsmanship.
(b) Friendliness.
(c) Ill-will.
(d) Hospitality.

14. According to Orwell, how do international sporting events affect relations between countries?
(a) They worsen relations between citizens, but improve relations between leaders.
(b) They make them better.
(c) They have no effect.
(d) They make them worse.

15. What does Orwell use as an example of a new form of children's literature?
(a) The "Nancy Drew" series.
(b) The "Penrod" series.
(c) The "Hardy Boys" series.
(d) The "Superman" comics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Orwell states that books are the least expensive media pleasures, next to what?

3. How does Orwell feel about Jack the Ripper?

4. According to Orwell, when is the best time to read a good murder mystery?

5. According to Orwell, spring is more noticeable for people in what areas?

(see the answer keys)

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