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Reading Comprehension Quiz (George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”

Read “Politics and the English Language” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question In the second sentence, Orwell writes that “Our civilization is decadent and our language—so the argument runs—must inevitably share in the general collapse.” What does Orwell imply about civilization?

1. In the second sentence, Orwell writes that “Our civilization is decadent and our language—so the argument runs—must inevitably share in the general collapse.” What does Orwell imply about civilization?

Progress is being made and things are going well.

Civilization is undergoing a gradual collapse.

Language never changes while civilizations do.

No one pays attention to the consequences of using poor language skills.

Question In paragraph two, Orwell claims that the collapse of language is caused by

2. In paragraph two, Orwell claims that the collapse of language is caused by

individual writers.

students not learning the correct usage.

people learning English as a second language.

political and economic causes.

Question Orwell claims that clear thinking and proper language use are

3. Orwell claims that clear thinking and proper language use are

directly connected.

dissimilar in all ways.

the source of corruption in government.

threatened by poor penmanship.

Question In paragraph four, Orwell reaches his main point that

4. In paragraph four, Orwell reaches his main point that

Writers are not being specific and are using vague imagery.

Writers are writing with fewer phrases and more concrete words.

Writers are consciously trying to publish false statements.

All of the above.

Question Orwell claims the problem with the use of metaphors is that

5. Orwell claims the problem with the use of metaphors is that

readers don’t understand the imagery associated with new metaphors.

writers don’t use fresh metaphors; rather, they rely on dead or mixed metaphors.

writers aren’t using enough clichéd metaphors to get their point across.

metaphors are unnecessary and should not be used at all.

Question In the section “Operators or Verbal False Limbs,” Orwell suggests that

6. In the section “Operators or Verbal False Limbs,” Orwell suggests that

writers should attempt to disguise their meaning with lengthier phrasing.

prepositional phrases are overused to the point of redundancy.

verbs should be simple and to the point.

All of the above.

Question Orwell wants writers to

7. Orwell wants writers to

work harder to create new and interesting words, as existing ones are vague and slovenly.

use the most descriptive and glorious words available for the sake of writing with authority.

simplify explanations and descriptions in order to avoid false impartiality and airs of scientific judgment.

None of the above.

Question In paragraph 11, Orwell claims that modern prose is

8. In paragraph 11, Orwell claims that modern prose is

gravitating toward more detailed imagery

limiting the number of syllables in any given sentence

brilliant with descriptions and meaning

moving away from concrete meaning

Question Orwell writes “you also don’t have to bother with the rhythms of your sentences, since these phrases are generally so arranged as to be more or less euphonious.” What does “euphonious” mean?

9. Orwell writes that “you also don’t have to bother with the rhythms of your sentences, since these phrases are generally so arranged as to be more or less euphonious.” What does “euphonious” mean?

pleasant sounding

unpleasant sounding

precise

authoritative

Question Based on this article, what can be inferred about Orwell’s feelings on politics and politicians?

10. Based on this article, what can be inferred about Orwell’s feelings on politics and politicians?

They are a necessary evil.

They work to obscure their meanings when addressing their constituents.

They often don’t have much to say.

All of the above.