View a FREE sample

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 mean by the phrase "verbal false limbs"?

2. Why does Orwell dislike words such as "constitute" and "phenomenon"?

3. What does Burnham write about the atrocities Stalin committed?

4. Where did the elephant come from?

5. According to Orwell, what was Gandhi's youth like?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Orwell define a "Good Bad Book" in Chapter 16?

2. What are Orwell's criteria for a "perfect" murder?

3. According to the evidence Orwell presents from "Gulliver's Travels", how does Gulliver feel about science?

4. What treatments does Orwell undergo in Hopital X?

5. Orwell feels that international sporting events have what effect on the relations between the countries involved?

6. What happens after the prisoner's death?

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

8. What flaws are shared by all of the examples of "bad English" that Orwell offers?

9. Who is the prisoner in Chapter 2?

10. What does Orwell think of children's stories such as "Tom Sawyer"?

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

Orwell attempts to refute the criticisms of people who don't believe that spring is something he should be writing about. Do you agree with the claims of his critics - that social injustice is a more important topic, and that people who work outdoors don't want to read about nature? Or do you agree with Orwell - that nature is just as important, and those who work outdoors have even more appreciation for nature? Provide evidence (not already provided by Orwell) to back up your opinion. Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of the elephant. What does the elephant represent? What is Orwell's relationship with the elephant? How has the incident with the elephant affected Orwell? What relationship did the elephant have with the crowd? What is the overall significance of the elephant's character? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample