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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What were the first sounds Orwell heard in the morning when he woke at the Brookers?
(a) The sound of hammering at the house next door.
(b) The sound of birds chirping in the trees.
(c) The sound of mill girls' clogs down the cobbled street.
(d) The sound of Mrs. Brooker bustling around the kitchen.

2. What were "caravan dwellings?"
(a) Trailers that were brought in after the war for housing.
(b) Trailers for the government workers in the city.
(c) Housing set up for criminals.
(d) Traveling circus employees' tent cities.

3. Why did men chew tobacco in the mines?
(a) It was a deterrent to thirst.
(b) It was a stimulant.
(c) It was good for headaches.
(d) It was medicinal.

4. How did one member of the press see Orwell's presence in Wigan?
(a) Orwell did not understand the suffering of the poor.
(b) Orwell was a fascist.
(c) Orwell was there to snoop into poor people's lives.
(d) Orwell was there to vilify humanity.

5. Where was Orwell's bed in his room at the Brooker's house?
(a) On the east wall.
(b) Against a dresser.
(c) In the center of the room.
(d) In the right hand corner nearest the door.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what did Orwell compare the sound of the conveyor belt in the mine?

2. Upon what did Orwell believe our civilization is based?

3. What physical attributes did the fillers share?

4. What is one superstition miner sometimes hold to?

5. What is a "blind back?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the typical coal mine Orwell explored while studying the work conditions in the mines.

2. What were the three terms Orwell used to describe the construction of the substandard housing in Wigan and Sheffield? How are they each affected by the lavatories available to them?

3. When people moved into the Corporation housing, what were some of the restrictions by which they had to abide?

4. Who were the Brookers? How did Orwell describe them? What did they look like? Behave like?

5. What were some of the common conditions in the houses Orwell studied for his book?

6. There were three shift in the mines Orwell discussed. What happened in each of the three shifts?

7. How did a miner clean up upon returning home? Why was cleaning up after work such a difficult task?

8. Why did Orwell believe that our civilization is founded on coal? How did he relate this belief to the coal miner?

9. What were some of the reasons Orwell gave for a miner's pay being much lower than his publicized wage?

10. What did Orwell learn about the reality of the seven hour shift worked by the typical miner?

(see the answer keys)

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