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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. Where is the narrator working?

2. According to Orwell, how did Swift offend Queen Anne?

3. According to Orwell, what is the basis for Burnham's political predictions?

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

5. What major change occurred in Tolstoy's life?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Orwell feel about nonsense poetry?

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

4. According to Orwell, why don't people read?

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

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

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

8. What type of children's literature does Orwell prefer?

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

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

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

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

Orwell suggests planting a tree as a form of repentance for sins. Do you agree? What do you think would happen if people began following Orwell's advice? Do you think it is possible to change a bloody legacy with Orwell's form of repentance? Why do you think the historical figures that Orwell names chose to attempt to do so? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

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