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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Orwell learn had happened to Wigan Pier?
(a) It had been demolished.
(b) It was turned into a diner.
(c) It was a myth and never existed.
(d) It was converted into a caravan park.

2. In what position must the fillers work?
(a) On their knees.
(b) Sitting.
(c) Standing up.
(d) Slouching over.

3. Who was Old Jack?
(a) An ex-shopkeeper, around 80, who retired and sold his shop.
(b) An ex-miner, 80 years old, whose left hand had been severed in a mining accident.
(c) An ex-soldier, 75 years old, whose legs were both amputated after a battle.
(d) An ex-miner, 78 years old, who worked for over fifty years in the coal pits.

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

5. What was done with the unusable shale inside of the mines?
(a) It was added to the coal and processed.
(b) It was taken away by large trucks and brought to lakes and rivers.
(c) It was brought to the surface and dumped into "dirt-heaps."
(d) It was left in the mine in empty mine shafts.

6. Why did Orwell believe the return trip through the tunnels was worse than the initial one?
(a) Because he was forced to move very quickly.
(b) Because he was terribly hungry.
(c) Because he was alone in the dark.
(d) Because he was going slightly uphill on the return.

7. What were "cream crackers?"
(a) Oreos.
(b) Potato chips.
(c) Biscuits.
(d) Fried bread.

8. What was the average distance between the pit bottom to the coal face?
(a) Seven hundred feet.
(b) Sixty yards.
(c) A mile.
(d) Two miles.

9. What physical attributes did the fillers share?
(a) They were short, slightly overweight and broad shouldered.
(b) They were tall, broad shouldered and thick around the waist.
(c) They were small, overweight thick thighed men.
(d) They were small, broad shouldered and thin.

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

11. When a miner comes up from the pit, why does he appear to be pale?
(a) Because he is exhausted.
(b) Because he is thirsty.
(c) Because he has not been in the sun.
(d) Because of the foul air he has been breathing.

12. At what point did Orwell leave the Brooker's boarding house?
(a) When his wallet was stolen.
(b) When he found there was a full chamber pot under the breakfast table.
(c) When he had enough of the other men sharing his room.
(d) When all of his belongings were stolen.

13. 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 well paid.
(c) They are actually paid very little.
(d) They are paid more than the mayor of the town.

14. What was one common characteristic of all of the houses Orwell saw in industrial towns?
(a) None of them were high rent.
(b) None of them were brick.
(c) None of them had running hot water.
(d) None of them were less than two bedrooms.

15. What did Mr. Brooker do while grumbling that it was "women's work?"
(a) Shop for groceries and mend curtains.
(b) Watch the television in the middle of the day.
(c) Peel potatoes and clean house.
(d) Clean the bathrooms and cook oatmeal for dinner.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is the cause of the great majority of accidents in the mine?

3. What did each of the permanent lodgers get for their ten shillings a week rent?

4. How did Orwell describe Mr. Brooker?

5. How did one member of the press see Orwell's presence in Wigan?

(see the answer keys)

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