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

2. The third speaker, in Chapter 8, attacked what?

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

4. According to Orwell, what were Smith's religious beliefs?

5. How does Orwell feel about scientific words and foreign phrases?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Whom does Orwell name in Chapter 17 as a well-known nonsense poet?

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

7. Orwell cites the riots after the 1936 Olympic Games as proof of what?

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

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

10. What does Orwell say about Gandhi's methods of non-violent protest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Burnham makes several inaccurate political predictions, and Orwell accuses him of power-worship. On what does Burnham base his predictions?

Essay Topic 2

Burnham states that capitalism is dying and that a socialist pyramid will replace it. Do you agree? Do you see Burnham's theory manifested in the United States in any way? If so, how? Do you agree with Orwell's assessment, that the Managerial Revolution has not greatly influenced the United States? In what countries do you think the Managerial Revolution has started to take effect? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text in defending your conclusions.

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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