1984 Orwell

In what two ways is the information about Winston in paragraph 3 important to the development of the central ideas in the excerpt?

• It demonstrates that Winston yearns for a better life

• It proves that Winston attempts to distinguish himself from other citizens.

• It hints at the extent of the effects that Big Brother has on Winston’s life and appearance.

• It explains the reasoning behind Winston’s opinions of Big Brother

• It creates a contrast between Winston’s frailty and Big Brother’s strength as described in the previous paragraph.

Answer explanation

The description of the voice’s omnipresence and Winston’s physical fragility indicate the oppression he suffers.

The description of Winston’s physical appearance as frail and fair contrasts to Big Brother’s strong, dark appearance.

What is the intended contrast between Winston’s viewpoint and that of the reader?

• Winston’s viewpoint is apparent tolerance of the conditions of his life, but the reader sees the harshness of his situation.

• Winston’s viewpoint is eager curiosity about the conditions of his life, but the reader sees that his situation is fairly typical.

• Winston’s viewpoint is minor annoyance about the conditions of his life, but the reader sees that his situation is actually bearable

Answer explanation

Winston seems to not be aware of the harshness of his conditions or how they could be different, but the reader is made more aware of harshness by the details shared by the author.

In paragraph 4, what does the word fitfully most nearly mean?

• Restlessly

• Faintly

• Distantly

• Raggedly

Answer explanation

The poster’s flapping “alternately covering and uncovering” conveys a restless feeling.

Part B: How does this word (fitfully) most strongly impact the meaning and tone of the excerpt?

• The word supports an oppressive tone by showing that the even objects in the character’s surroundings seem unsettled

• The word supports a judgmental tone by showing that the main character criticizes anything negative around him.

• The word supports a respectful tone by focusing on the attention the Thought Police paid to small details.

• The word supports a fanciful tone by giving an inanimate object a sense of being.

Answer explanation

“Fitfully” supports an oppressive tone by conveying tenseness and anxiety.

Part A: In which paragraph does the author most strongly develop the idea of totalitarianism, or complete government control over its citizens?

• Paragraph 1

• Paragraph 3

• Paragraph 5

Answer explanation

Paragraph 5 most strongly develops the concept of totalitarianism by explaining multiple ways the government controls its citizens

The author makes references such as “Hate Week” “and “the Ninth Three-Year Plan,” which are not explained in this excerpt from the story.

What is the most likely inference that can be made about the role of these references?

• They are elements of Big Brother’s agenda that do not affect Winston’s life.

• They are aspects of Big Brother’s governance that Winston supports.

• They are methods by which Big Brother maintains control over the population.

Answer explanation

These programs are another way Big Brother oppresses the citizens

How do these references help propel the action in the excerpt?

• By establishing a stronger sense of Big Brother’s authority

• By foreshadowing what will happen to Winston

• By easing the reader’s concern that Winston will be harmed

• By highlighting the more promising aspects of Big Brother’s reign

Answer explanation

These programs affect the daily lives of citizens and convey Big Brother’s powerful presence.

What is a central idea of this excerpt

• Despite his young age, Winston is in poor health which is a direct result of his living environment

• Lacking personal privacy, Winston is cautious about his words and actions because Big Brother is constantly watching him.

• Although Big Brother’s control can be stifling, Winston appreciates the sense of order that Big Brother’s management provides.

• After a long and difficult winter, Winston looks forward to the changes that Big Brother will bring in the springtime.

Answer explanation

The constant oversight of Big Brother and the impact on citizens are developed throughout the excerpt.

How does the setting support this central idea?

• The widespread presence of the large, colorful Big Brother posters suggests Winston’s feelings of admiration for his leader.

• The details about Winston’s run-down building help to convey Winston’s feelings of helplessness.

• The references to the changing seasons hint at Winston’s feelings of hopefulness for the future.

• The descriptions of the chilly, bleak surroundings emphasize Winston’s anger about having limited resources to survive the winter.

Answer explanation

The dilapidated condition of Winston’s building mirrors his health and his outlook on Big Brother.

Reread the following sentences from the excerpt:

"The patrols did not matter, however. Only the Thought Police mattered"

According to details in the excerpt, what is the most logical reason that the patrols do not “matter” but the Thought Police do matter?

• People are already accustomed to helicopters flying near their windows, but the idea of Thought Police is recent and unfamiliar.

• People are pleased to have helicopter patrols keeping everyone safe, but they don’t see how the Thought Police keep them safe.

• People can see when the patrols are snooping but cannot ever know exactly when the Thought Police are snooping.

Answer explanation

The Thought Police matter because their presence cannot be discerned, while the patrols are clearly visible.