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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. What does Orwell feel can help to reverse the downward trend of the English language?

2. What similarity does Orwell find between the Catholic and Communist ideologies?

3. How did the first speaker, in Chapter 8, feel about freedom of the press?

4. What aspect of "Gulliver's Travels" does Orwell discuss in Chapter 5?

5. How does Orwell feel about the English language?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Orwell feel about nonsense poetry?

3. What effect does Gandhi's autobiography have on Orwell?

4. What relationship exists between Orwell and the Burmese natives?

5. According to Orwell, what changes occur in the character of Gulliver, in each part of "Gulliver's Travels"?

6. According to Orwell, what is the reason for the dearth of good contemporary murder literature?

7. What is Orwell's overall intention, according to his statements at the end of Chapter 6?

8. What happens after the prisoner's death?

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

10. What is Orwell's conclusion about the price of books in Chapter 15?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Orwell claims that Smith identified with the character of Gulliver, in "Gulliver's Travels". Do you agree? How well does Orwell present his argument? To what do you attribute the changes in Gulliver's character that Orwell describes? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text in defending your conclusions.

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

Orwell feels that good books should receive long reviews, while poorly-written books should be handled with reviews of only a few lines. How do you feel about his proposition? Have you ever gained useful information from a bad review? Have you ever thought that a good review was too long? Or do you agree that poorly-written books are undeserving of attention? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

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