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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does "Helen's Babies" say about America, according to Orwell?

2. Why is the reviewer having such difficulty writing his reviews?

3. According to Orwell, when is the best time to read a good murder mystery?

4. According to Orwell, what is not a popular subject in his essays?

5. How does the animal discussed in Chapter 12 discern the sex of other members of its species?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Orwell tallies the price of books, and proves that the price of books is not the reason why people choose not to read. Do you agree? What effect do you think economical situations have on literacy? Given the choice between a movie and a book, which do you think most people would choose and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

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.

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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This section contains 359 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample