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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When asked who the top ten greatest men living in 1920, who was most often named in Orwell's school class?
(a) Lennon.
(b) Lenin.
(c) Trotsky.
(d) Hardy.

2. Where did Orwell first go to sleep with the beggars and criminals of the working class?
(a) Wigan and Sheffield.
(b) Limehouse and Whitechapel.
(c) Orangehouse and Greychapel.
(d) London and Sheffield.

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

4. What did Orwell say was the primary preoccupation of a single unemployed man in winter?
(a) Finding work.
(b) Finding food.
(c) Begging for money.
(d) Keeping warm.

5. What things did Orwell believe a good writer needed that an unemployed man could not find?
(a) Peace of mind, and quiet.
(b) Peace of mind, and a room of his own to work.
(c) Peace of mind, and a new, modern typewriter.
(d) Peace of mind, and extra cash.

6. Who was the typical Socialist of the late 1930's in England?
(a) A member of the lower class.
(b) A woman.
(c) A member of the middle class.
(d) A man.

7. Who said "an army marches on its stomach?"
(a) Aristotle.
(b) Homer.
(c) Napoleon.
(d) Hitler.

8. When Orwell said he was "advocatus diaboli" what did he mean?
(a) He was certain the devil was keeping the masses away from Socialism.
(b) He did not really believe in Socialism.
(c) He knew the devil was in the details of the propaganda campaigns.
(d) He was being the devil's advocate for the sake of argument.

9. What did Orwell say was the only way to abolish class distinctions in England?
(a) You must be willing to abolish part of yourself.
(b) You must be willing to move to northern England.
(c) You must be willing to eat fish and chips.
(d) You must be willing to incite a revolution.

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

11. Who was John Galsworthy?
(a) A poet.
(b) A playwright.
(c) A revolutionary.
(d) A doctor.

12. What class did Orwell say he was born into?
(a) The middle-upper class.
(b) The middle-upper-middle class.
(c) The lower-upper-middle-class.
(d) The lower-middle-upper-class.

13. What did Orwell think was the result of efforts at reducing class distinctions in England?
(a) It gave people a chance to see how the other half lived.
(b) It mostly brought children together from all classes of society.
(c) It was the reason for class warfare.
(d) It simply intensified prejudice.

14. What did Orwell say was the distinguishing mark of the upper-middle class before the war in England?
(a) It consisted of mainly military, official and professional people.
(b) It was known for its gluttony.
(c) It allowed no other people in its ranks.
(d) It believed in the power of money and education.

15. With what, according to Orwell, is socialism inextricably connected?
(a) The idea of overthrow of the rich.
(b) The idea of workers' solidarity.
(c) The idea of machine production.
(d) The idea of better housing and working conditions.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Orwell find amazing about the unemployed men he met after returning from Burma?

2. Why did Orwell say Socialism had not taken hold in England despite its common-sense doctrine?

3. What was one way the middle class worked to abolish class distinctions?

4. What was a favorite refuge for the unemployed man in Wigan?

5. What were the "Clothing Clubs?"

(see the answer keys)

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