The Censors

Explain the symbolism of the post office in 'The Censors'.

• The post office symbolizes the power of the government to censor and control communication.

• The post office symbolizes the importance of delivering mail on time.

• The post office symbolizes the freedom of communication and expression.

• The post office symbolizes the corruption of government officials.

How does the author use irony in 'The Censors'?

• By portraying the protagonist as a criminal who is praised by the government

• By portraying the protagonist as a traitor who is punished for his actions

• By portraying the protagonist as a hero who saves his country from destruction

• By portraying the protagonist as a loyal citizen who becomes the very thing he fears

“The Censors” takes place in a country ruled by a dictator. What do the details and outcome of “The Censors” suggest most clearly about dictatorships in general? Choose three options.

• They are very compassionate.

• They encourage conformity.

• They stimulate creativity.

• They can be very violent.

• They often seem absurd.

What do the details in “The Censors” suggest about the work of censoring letters?

• Few letters are actually scrutinized.

• The censors tend to be fairly lenient.

• A letter can be censored for a variety of reasons.

• The censors follow a set of unclear guidelines.

Which of these sentences from “The Censors” best supports the answer to question 2?

• He knows that they examine, sniff, feel, and read between the lines of each and every letter, and check its tiniest comma and most accidental stain.

• Ulterior motives couldn’t be overlooked in the Censorship Division, but they needn’t be too strict with those who applied.

• And when he was transferred to Section F, where letters are carefully checked for poison dust, he felt he had climbed a rung in the ladder.

• Very few letters reached him in Section B—only a handful passed the other hurdles—so he read them over and over again.

In the short story, “The Censors,” what main change has Juan experienced by the time he reaches Section B in the Censorship Division?

• He comes to despise his job as a censor.

• He becomes proud of his job as a censor.

• He wins great fame in his job as a censor.

• He grows quite lazy in his job as a censor.

Which of these sentences from “The Censors” best supports the answer to question number 4?

• The building had a festive air on the outside that contrasted with its inner staidness.

• He didn’t even worry when, in his first month, he was sent to Section K where envelopes are very carefully screened for explosives.

• He had a truly patriotic task, both self-denying and uplifting.

• He was about to congratulate himself for having finally discovered his true mission, when his letter to Mariana reached his hands.

It’s true that on the third day, a fellow worker had his right hand blown off by a letter, but the division chief claimed it was sheer negligence on the victim’s part. Juan and the other employees were allowed to go back to their work, though feeling less secure.

As illustrated by this excerpt, what main technique does the author use to convey her view of the society in which the story is set?

• She vividly describes a government agency to show admiration for the highly organized society in which the story is set.

• She recounts tense, action-packed events that show the heroism of those who oppose the society in which the story is set.

• She humorously exaggerates characters and situations, poking fun in order to criticize the society in which the story is set.

• She withholds information from readers to capture a sense of eerie mystery regarding the strange society in which the story is set.

Which word in this quotation from “The Censors” best illustrates a cynical tone?

[T]here’s nothing to stop them from going as far as that hidden Paris neighborhood, kidnapping Mariana, and returning to their cozy homes, certain of having fulfilled their noble mission.

• nothing

• hidden

• fulfilled

• noble

Which of the following quotations from “The Censors” best illustrates the story’s humorous, mocking tone?

• Without thinking twice, he [Juan] sat down at his table and wrote her [Mariana] a letter.

• But he knows that the Censor’s Secret Command operates all over the world and cashes in on the discount airfares . . .

• That’s how Juan managed to join the Post Office’s Censorship Division with a certain goal in mind.

• By working hard, he quickly reached Section E where the job became more interesting, for he could now read and analyze the letters’ contents.