26. The Age of Anxiety, 1880

Quiz for Evaluating the Evidence 26.3: George Orwell on Life on the Dole

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1. What did Orwell believe was important to understand about official unemployment figures?

That they were socialist propaganda

That they vastly underestimated the actual level of economic distress

That they led to an exaggerated estimation of the number of people interested in working

That they were compiled with extraordinary scientific precision

Correct. The answer is b. Orwell argued they led to an underestimation of the actual level of economic distress because they did not include dependents or the under-employed.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Orwell argued they led to an underestimation of the actual level of economic distress because they did not include dependents or the under-employed.

1. What did Orwell believe was important to understand about official unemployment figures?

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2. How did Orwell account for the fact that extreme poverty was less evident in the industrial North than in London?

Because cities in the industrial North provided generous unemployment benefits

Because the industrial North was economically robust

Because the traditional communal way of life had not yet broken down

Because cities in the industrial North forced the unemployed to leave the region

Correct. The answer is c. Unlike London, people in the industrial North could rely on friends and family to provide a home in times of need.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Unlike London, people in the industrial North could rely on friends and family to provide a home in times of need.

2. How did Orwell account for the fact that extreme poverty was less evident in the industrial North than in London?

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3. According to Orwell, which of these was a consequence of prolonged high levels of unemployment?

Widespread psychological depression and despondency among the working classes

The emergence of a politicized, revolutionary working class

The adjustment by the working classes to an altered reality

A growing sense of shame and self-loathing among the working classes

Correct. The answer is c. According to Orwell, instead of taking to the streets or falling into despair, the British working classes sought to make the best of their changed circumstances.

Incorrect. The answer is c. According to Orwell, instead of taking to the streets or falling into despair, the British working classes sought to make the best of their changed circumstances.

3. According to Orwell, which of these was a consequence of prolonged high levels of unemployment?