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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fell on Colchester?

2. What urge is stronger than ever when Winston was finished writing about the prostitute?

3. What does Julia say is "the only way to stay safe"?

4. What is the prole woman doing outside the window in Part 2, Chapter 4?

5. What is the name of the dead hero Winston invents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about Winston's telescreen, and why is it important?

2. Why does Winston think Syme will be vaporized? What does Syme lack?

3. Syme explains that the most important part of Newspeak is not the creation of new words, but the deletion of old words. Why might this be more important? What is the true purpose of Newspeak?

4. Describe Winston's marriage. Why did he separate from his wife?

5. Why do you think Winston was unable to prevent himself from having sex with the prostitute?

6. Judging by the dream Winston has about the girl with dark hair, how does he appear to feel about her?

7. The sandy-haired woman in the cubicle next to Winston spends all day deleting any record of people who have been "vaporized," even though her own husband had been killed this way. How do you think she felt when she deleted her own husband's name? Why does she continue to do this job?

8. Look up the word "proletariat" in the dictionary. What does it mean? Why does the Party ignore the proles? Is this strange?

9. Why does the Party turn a blind eye to prostitution? What type of sex will it not allow?

10. Try to imagine what it would be like to live in a country like Oceania where you are constantly watched by government agents. How would you feel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fear is a common theme in literature, and a motivating factor for many characters. Write an essay that shows at least two examples of fear in literature, touching upon:

1) The type of fear, be it personal, fear for the safety of others, fear of pain, etc.

2) How the characters overcame the fear, or were overcome by it.

3) The source of the fear, and its relation to the main character.

Essay Topic 2

Privacy is a highly relevant issue in the modern world. Possibilities for surveillance and citizen control have expanded significantly since George Orwell's time, and this trend frequently inspires references in the news and pop culture to Nineteen Eighty-Four. Write an essay on the topic of privacy, stating:

1) What privacy means to you.

2) The importance of privacy to a society as a whole.

3) Your opinion on the current debate over privacy, security, terrorism, and the constitution.

Essay Topic 3

Julia's attitude towards sex is extremely appealing to Winston. He admires that she has had many partners because it represents a kind of victory for him against the "purity" of the Party.

Write an essay explaining your attitude towards promiscuity. Is it immoral? And when, if ever, is it justified? In your conclusion, be sure to state whether or not you think the attitude towards sex in America should change.

(see the answer keys)

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