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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. Orwell worries that liberty cannot exist without what?

2. Gulliver disapproves of what sort of knowledge, according to Orwell?

3. Which play did Tolstoy criticize most harshly?

4. Why does Orwell dismiss Tolstoy's criticism?

5. What does Orwell compare to a "pre-fabricate hen-house"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What scene does Orwell describe as the setting for reading a good murder mystery?

2. How does Burnham's theory about the "manners and morals" of a given era differ from Orwell's?

3. Who is the prisoner in Chapter 2?

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

5. What pamphlet was the subject of the meeting of the P.E.N. Club that takes place in Chapter 8?

6. What is Orwell's problem with the use of words like "romantic" or "vitality"?

7. Under what circumstances does Orwell think it is possible to have a friendly sports game, and why?

8. How does Orwell describe the prisoner?

9. What does Orwell say about Burnham's theory about Stalin?

10. According to Orwell, what were Burnham's political predictions based on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the character of the crowd. What are the main characteristics of the crowd? What is Orwell's relationship with the crowd? What does the crowd represent? What is the overall significance of the crowd's character? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Orwell bemoans the lack of good contemporary murder literature. Do you agree that this situation is due to a lack of "perfect" murders? Do you think that, in the presence of more "perfect" murders, there would be more quality murder literature? Is this a desirable situation? Given media access to crime details and how they are printed much more so than in his life time, do you think Orwell's opinion may be different now? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text in defending your conclusions.

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