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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 point was Orwell making in his explanation of the coal miner's pay?
(a) They are paid the same as any other laborer.
(b) They are actually paid very little.
(c) They are actually well paid.
(d) They are paid more than the mayor of the town.

2. What creature did Orwell see a surprising abundance of in the coal mine?
(a) Rats.
(b) Moles.
(c) Bats.
(d) Mice.

3. How did D. H. Lawrence come to Orwell's mind as he rode the train?
(a) He met a passenger whose name was Lawrence.
(b) He looked at a beautiful girl.
(c) He was reading a book of poetry.
(d) He looked out over snow-covered hills.

4. What was one "perk" given to miners that was actually off-set by transportation costs?
(a) Bonus for meeting coal goals.
(b) Reduced cost of the coal for their houses.
(c) Bonus for on-time work.
(d) Free tool sharpening.

5. How did Orwell react to the train moving into the countryside?
(a) He was confused as to where the train was headed.
(b) He was happy to be seeing his family again.
(c) He was sad to be leaving his home.
(d) He was happy to be out of the dark and dirty city.

Short Answer Questions

1. What were newspaper canvassers?

2. Who was Old Jack?

3. What is "traveling?"

4. At what time of year does the coal industry slack off?

5. What is a "blind back?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the coal mines like for Orwell? How did he see the men who mined the coal?

2. How did Orwell describe his room at the Brookers?

3. Who were some of the boarders at the Brooker's rooming house? How were thought of by the Brookers?

4. How did Orwell come to write "The Road to Wigan Pier?" When did he write the book? For whom? What were the three parts of the book when it was originally published?

5. What were the newer government (Corporation) houses like? What were the positive and negative aspects of the housing?

6. What was one major convenience added to the more modern mines in England? What myth often told about miners did this modern convenience dispel?

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

8. What is nystagmus? How is it contracted? How is it cured? What happened to a miner in Orwell's time who contracted nystagmus?

9. What were the two largest causes of death to a miner on the job? What were the causes of these hazards?

10. Describe the meals Orwell was offered while living at the Brookers. Who cooked the meals? What were the boarders given to eat for dinner?

(see the answer keys)

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