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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. In principle, with whom does the narrator side?

2. According to Orwell, what flaw is apparent in all of the examples of "bad English" that he presents in Chapter 6?

3. Why does Orwell dismiss Tolstoy's criticism?

4. How much does Orwell think the managerial revolution, which Burnham writes about, has influenced the United States?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tolstoy's main target in his Shakespearean criticisms, and why?

2. Whom does Orwell name in Chapter 17 as a well-known nonsense poet?

3. Based on Orwell's description, what is the life cycle of a toad?

4. What is Orwell's occupation, in the first chapter?

5. What treatments does Orwell undergo in Hopital X?

6. How has Orwell's situation been reversed in Chapter 3?

7. Orwell wonders if entering the world of politics had what effect on Gandhi?

8. How does the elephant die?

9. What is the substance of the four speakers' speeches, as relayed by Orwell in Chapter 8?

10. What are some of Tolstoy's criticisms about Shakespeare?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Orwell defends freedom of the press by saying that freedom of the political writer, and freedom of the non-political writer go hand-in-hand. Do you agree? Is it possible to have freedom of speech without freedom of the press, or vice versa? How does Orwell feel about the current trend of literary freedom? Do you agree? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

Orwell's essay about Gandhi is not flattering, but he grudgingly admits that Gandhi impresses him, in some ways. What does Orwell dislike most about Gandhi, and his practices? How does Orwell's opinion of Gandhi change, after reading his autobiography? How does Orwell feel about Gandhi's policy of "Satyagraha," and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Tolstoy's criticism of Shakespeare's work. What criticisms does Tolstoy offer? What evidence does he present to back up his criticisms? Is the evidence he presents accurate? How does Orwell respond? Do you agree with Orwell, or Tolstoy? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

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