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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 was one problem faced by the tenant moving from slum housing into new housing?
(a) The lack of medical care.
(b) The noise level.
(c) The outdoor plumbing.
(d) The higher expense.

2. What did the fillers wear?
(a) Thin drawers, clogs and knee pads.
(b) Long cotton pants and clogs.
(c) Shorts, light tee shirts and knee pads.
(d) Shorts, light tee shirts and clogs.

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

4. When the Corporation cleaned out the slums and moved its occupants, where did it build housing for them?
(a) On top of pre-existing housing.
(b) Below ground.
(c) In the center of town.
(d) Far away from the tenants' employment.

5. At what time of year does the coal industry slack off?
(a) Summer.
(b) Fall.
(c) Winter.
(d) Spring.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was offered a very few of the miners in the better built mines?

2. What is one superstition miner sometimes hold to?

3. What could happen to cause a miner to lose one or two days pay?

4. How long were the fillers on the job during their shifts?

5. How did Orwell describe the meals at the Brooker's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why were the fillers an important part of the coal mining business? What were their jobs?

4. What did the miners look like when they emerged from the coal mines? What were some of the first things they did upon coming above ground?

5. Orwell stated that the Brookers were typical of most people in the modern world. What characteristics did he point out as typical?

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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