View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Orwell find was the basis of the diet for families of the unemployed?
(a) White bread, butter, roast beef, sugared tea and carrots.
(b) White bread, butter, chipped beef, sugared tea and carrots.
(c) White bread, margerine, corned beef, sugared tea and potatoes.
(d) White bread, butter, tinny beef, sugared tea and potatoes.

2. What was a favorite refuge for the unemployed man in Wigan?
(a) The shopping areas.
(b) The alleys.
(c) The movie theatre.
(d) City Hall.

3. Why did Orwell think the upper-middle class were drawn to India, Kenya and Nigeria?
(a) Because they could pretend to live the life of gentlemen.
(b) Because they were unable to speak the language and were considered intelligent.
(c) Because they could effect social change.
(d) Because they were considered royalty in those countries.

4. What did Orwell envision a home in the future?
(a) Glass and steel furniture, no libraries and more children.
(b) Invisible heaters, glass and steel furniture and fewer children.
(c) Forced air heating, larger grocery stores and mechanical doors.
(d) Electricity will run all functions in the home.

5. What portion of the population of Wigan was living on unemployment, including family members?
(a) One eighth.
(b) One third.
(c) One forth.
(d) One half.

6. How did Orwell describe the attitude toward education in the working class?
(a) A child could not wait to get out of school and go to work to earn money.
(b) A child could be educated without ever going to school.
(c) A child could not wait to get out of school and move south to Dover.
(d) Education was important only to the middle class.

7. What did Orwell believe was the deeper implications of Socialism?
(a) Socialism stands for democracy and common goals.
(b) Socialism stands for better housing for the working poor.
(c) Socialism stands for justice and common decency.
(d) Socialism stands for better wages and better working conditions.

8. What did the Socialists think of the occupational centers?
(a) They believed the centers were there to keep the unemployed quiet and hopeful.
(b) They believed the centers were run by Marxists.
(c) They believed the centers should do more training.
(d) They believed the centers were brainwashing men.

9. What four words did Orwell discuss in detail as the reason for class distinctions?
(a) The upper class steal.
(b) The upper-middle class cheat.
(c) The middle class lie.
(d) The lower class smell.

10. What was the number of people underfed in England based on Orwell's calculations?
(a) Over eleven million.
(b) Under seven million.
(c) Over ten million.
(d) Over twenty million.

11. What is left when a slag heap sinks into the ground?
(a) Soggy ground and bamboo.
(b) Ugly brown grass and soggy ground.
(c) Dry land and weeds.
(d) A small hill of dirt.

12. What did Orwell think was more important than changes in dynasties or changes of religion?
(a) Changes of housing materials.
(b) Changes of clothing and cloth.
(c) Changes of diet.
(d) Changes of the seasons.

13. How did a Northerner visiting Southern England see that part of the country?
(a) As snobbish, effeminate and lazy.
(b) As snobbish, uneducated and fantastic.
(c) As snobbish, cruel and wealthy.
(d) As snobbish, wealthy and unconcerned.

14. What did Saintsbury say about unemployment insurance?
(a) It was simply "woefully inadequate to deal with the problem."
(b) It was simply "contributing to the support of lazy ne'er-do-wells."
(c) It was simply "a manifestation of the ignorance of capitalism."
(d) It was simply "contributing to the poverty of the entire nation."

15. What was the most obvious sign of malnourishment in the families of the unemployed men?
(a) Bad eyesight.
(b) Bad hearing.
(c) Bad teeth.
(d) Bad speech.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Orwell go before he turned twenty?

2. How long was Orwell a member of the Indian Police?

3. What did Orwell think was the result of efforts at reducing class distinctions in England?

4. What was "the flock mattress?"

5. Who did Orwell believe was doing the best work for the unemployed in the thirties?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 719 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample