Colegio Beato Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
English Department
Prof. Denisse Rosario Blanco
Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________________________
Take-home test : Unit VI
______/ 96pts.
Multiple choice: read the questions and choose the correct answer. (2pts. each)
_____1. What is Orwell’s purpose in writing “Shooting an Elephant”?
A. to describe life in Burma
B. to expose the evils of imperialism
C. to argue for wildlife conservation
D. to promote Burmese independence
______2. Orwell’s resentful feelings toward the Burmese are ironic because
A. the Burmese do nothing to hurt him.
B. the British are naturally superior.
C. he professes to be a pacifist.
D. he believes the Burmese are oppressed by the British.
______3. Why is Orwell asked to do something about the elephant?
A. The Burmese refuse to control the elephant.
B. He has experience handling elephants.
C. Only the British police force has weapons.
D. The mahout has requested his assistance.
______4. What irony is expressed in this statement?
A sahib has got to act like a sahib; he has got to appear resolute, to know his own
mind and do definite things. . . .
A. Orwell objects to the term sahib.
B. Although he knows his own mind, Orwell cannot do what he thinks he should.
C. Orwell does not appear resolute in front of the crowd.
D. Orwell cannot make a decision about the elephant, even though he knows he should.
______5. In his description of the dying elephant, what tone does Orwell create by repeating the
word tortured?
A. detached
B. anguished
C. hostile
D. respectful
_______6. What is the theme of “Shooting an Elephant”?
A. The British civil service is a model of efficiency.
B. An individual’s livelihood is as important as public safety.
C. Rarely can anyone fully understand another culture.
D. Anyone working for an imperialist power is morally compromised.
______7. In Doris Lessing’s “No Witchcraft for Sale,” Gideon is
A. a herder.
B. a local medicine man.
C. the Farquars’ cook.
D. a scientist.
_______8. Why was Mrs. Farquar fond of Gideon?
A. He was affectionate toward Teddy.
B. He had helped others in the area to accept her family.
C. He had special knowledge of native ways.
D. She knew he was wiser than she.
_______9. In “No Witchcraft for Sale,” how did Teddy respond to Gideon’s change after the
scooter
incident?
A. He was unaware of the change, not understanding Gideon’s words.
B. He missed Gideon’s closeness, but began to assume the role of master.
C. He noticed the change and was determined to receive a full explanation for it.
D. He turned to his parents to interpret the event for him.
________10. How is the relationship between the Farquars and Gideon in “No Witchcraft for
Sale”
similar to the relationship between Orwell and the Burmese in “Shooting an Elephant”?
A. Both relationships are those of “masters” and “subjects” in a colonial society.
B. In both selections, the English treat the native peoples with inhumanity.
C. In both selections, both sides dislike and distrust one another.
D. In both selections, the groups join together to struggle against a threatening animal.
_______11. In “No Witchcraft for Sale,” why is it ironic that Gideon saves Teddy from
blindness?
A. As a master, Teddy is becoming blind to the Africans as anything but servants.
B. Teddy would have remained closer to Gideon if he had actually gone blind.
C. Gideon himself remains blind to the fact that his cure could have benefited many.
D. Everyone in the story is morally blind in one way or another.
Vocabulary and Grammar
________12. The British had over the Burmese for more than fifty years.
A. despotic
B. squalid
C. dominion
D. senility
________13. The word skeptical means
A. careless.
B. unbelieving.
C. secretive.
D. hostile.
Short Answer Write your responses to the questions. Answers must be in your own word. Do not
copy answers from classmates.(10pts. each)
1. Reread the opening section of Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant.” How does Orwell
seem to feel about his job as a police officer in Burma? Cite one or two details from
the essay to support your response.
2. Explain the verbal irony in the following quotation from “Shooting an Elephant”:
“Feelings like these are the normal byproducts of imperialism: ask any AngloIndian official, if you can catch him off duty.”
3. Before he sees the elephant in “Shooting an Elephant,” Orwell prepares to shoot it
only “to defend myself if necessary.” However, Orwell shoots the elephant so that
the Burmese people will not laugh at him. Explain why Orwell’s decision to shoot
the elephant in “Shooting an Elephant” is an example of irony of situation.
4. In “Shooting an Elephant,” Orwell describes the behavior of the Burmese people
throughout his account. Based on these descriptions, what seems to be Orwell’s attitude toward
the Burmese? Support your response with one or two examples from the text.
5. In “No Witchcraft for Sale,” how do Mrs. Farquar and Gideon react when they realize
that a poisonous snake has spit in Teddy’s eyes? Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast
their reactions.
6. In “No Witchcraft for Sale,” why does Gideon refuse to show the scientist the location
of the plant that he used to heal Teddy’s eyes?
7. How do the endings of Orwell’s nonfictional piece “Shooting an Elephant” and Lessing’s
fictional story “No Witchcraft for Sale” ironically comment on similar themes: the cultural
conflict caused by British imperialism?
Please print the test, answer it and hand it in on May 1, 2015.