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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 does Orwell mean by the phrase "verbal false limbs"?

3. In principle, with whom does the narrator side?

4. In what country is the narrator, in Chapter 3?

5. In what stage of Tolstoy's life did this major change occur?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are sporting events similar to combat, according to Orwell?

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

3. What are some of the books that Orwell names as "Good Bad Books", and what flaw do they share?

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

5. How does Orwell describe the book reviewer in Chapter 14?

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

7. What is the substance of Burnham's "Managerial Revolution", as relayed by Orwell in Chapter 9?

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

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

10. What does Orwell say about the sanitation of Hopital X?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Orwell states that he doesn't see the point of creating or reading nonsense poetry. In your opinion, why do some poets choose to create nonsense poetry? Is it inferior to other kinds of poetry? Do you think that the people who read or create nonsense poetry are different from those who read or create other kinds of poetry? If so, how are they different? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text in defending your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Tolstoy criticizes Shakespeare in a variety of ways. Do you agree with any of Tolstoy's criticisms? If so, which ones? What do you think of Orwell's rebuttals for each point made by Tolstoy? Do you believe Tolstoy's claims about how Shakespeare got his reputation, or do you believe that his reputation was earned? How would you respond to the points Tolstoy makes about "King Lear"? 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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