Argument in George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” — Quiz
Question 2 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell. What is above all needed is to let the meaning choose the word, and not the other way about. In prose, the worst thing one can do with words is to surrender them. When you think of a concrete object, you think wordlessly, and then, if you want to describe the thing you have been visualizing, you probably hunt about till you find the exact words that seem to fit it. When you think of something abstract you are more inclined to use words from the start, and unless you make a conscious effort to prevent it, the existing dialect will come rushing in and do the job for you, at the expense of blurring or even changing your meaning. George Orwell’s purpose is to persuade readers to use simple language in political writing. How does he achieve this purpose in the excerpt?
Answer
A
He provides a quotation that uses abstract words to describe an idea.
B
He gives an example of a writer who uses abstract words to describe a simple idea.
C
He provides a quotation that uses simple words to describe an idea.
D
He gives an example of finding words to describe concrete items and abstract ideas.
Explanation
Orwell contrasts how people describe concrete objects with how they describe abstract ideas. For a concrete object, he says people first picture it and then search for exact words; with an abstract idea, familiar wording can take over and blur the meaning. This supports his point that writers should choose words carefully rather than rely on ready-made language, so B is correct.
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