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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 verb is used to describe the movement of the horses of Omelas?
(a) Waited.
(b) Galloped.
(c) Trotted.
(d) Pranced.

2. What element of Omelas does LeGuin describe as "magnificent" (3)?
(a) The Farmers' Market.
(b) The library.
(c) The town square.
(d) The art gallery.

3. Who is said to be exercising horses on the Green Fields?
(a) Girls and women.
(b) Boys and girls.
(c) Boys and men.
(d) Young boys.

4. What verb is used to describe the moving of the processions throughout Omelas?
(a) Winding.
(b) Marching.
(c) Creeping.
(d) Flowing.

5. What event is said to cause the birds to start taking a particular action in the first line of the story?
(a) The clamor of the ocean.
(b) The clamor of the train.
(c) The clamor of the crowd.
(d) The clamor of bells.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is NOT a role LeGuin names in order to demonstrate the citizens' level of self-awareness?

2. When LeGuin mentions several inventions that have yet to be created, what is NOT an object she mentions?

3. The birds mentioned in the first line of the story are taking what action?

4. What part of each horse is decorated colorfully?

5. What particular aspect of consumer culture LeGuin say Omelas lacks?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe a point at which the narrator suggests that the reader give their own input into the vision of Omelas.

2. LeGuin sees what kind of danger in modern society's method of perceiving evil?

3. What is the second question asked within Paragraph 2 and how does it contrast with the story so far?

4. The narrator at one point worries that what elements of her portrait of Omelas will make it seem too "goody-goody" (3) for the reader?

5. LeGuin laments the tendency for modern society to consider evil and pain in what way?

6. After the narrator states that Omelas sounds "like a city in a fairy tale," (3) what action does she suggest the reader take?

7. What is ironic about the way in which horses are treated in Omelas?

8. Describe an instance when the narrator directly engages with the reader of the story.

9. What purpose does LeGuin have for involving the reader in the creation of Omelas?

10. What do the bells symbolize within the celebration of the Festival of Summer?

(see the answer keys)

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