AnswersGosciewski WCA 0431 English 12 - 1st 9 weeks 26-27Part 5: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Summary and Plot Development

Argument in George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” Answers

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Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.I said earlier that the decadence of our language is probably curable. Those who deny this would argue, if they produced an argument at all, that language merely reflects existing social conditions, and that we cannot influence its development by any direct tinkering with words and constructions. So far as the general tone or spirit of a language goes, this may be true, but it is not true in detail. Silly words and expressions have often disappeared, not through any evolutionary process but owing to the conscious action of a minority. Two recent examples were explore every avenue and leave no stone unturned, which were killed by the jeers of a few journalists.

A
He provides statistics showing the number of times a silly word is used.
B
He quotes an expert who gives suggestions on eliminating useless language.
C
He poses a hypothetical situation in which simple language is used.
D
He gives an example of two phrases that lost popularity with writers.
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Read the paragraph.School administrators should be encouraged to increase funding for music education. Many feel that school music programs are expensive and time-consuming. However, participating in band, orchestra, or chorus has been shown to improve student learning. Studies show that children who participate in school music programs achieve higher grades than students who do not. They also perform better on standardized tests.

A
School music programs are expensive and time-consuming.
B
Participating in music programs has been shown to improve student learning.
C
Studies show children who participate in music achieve high grades.
D
Children who participate in music also perform better on standardized tests.
3

Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.Probably it is better to put off using words as long as possible and get one’s meaning as clear as one can through pictures or sensations. Afterwards one can choose—not simply accept—the phrases that will best cover the meaning, and then switch round and decide what impressions one’s words are likely to make on another person. This last effort of the mind cuts out all stale or mixed images, all prefabricated phrases, needless repetitions, and humbug and vagueness generally.

A
Orwell’s purpose is to inform his readers about political events. He achieves this by listing important events of his day.
B
Orwell’s purpose is to inform his readers about political events. He achieves this by quoting a current news article.
C
Orwell’s purpose is to persuade his readers to use simple language in political writing. He achieves this by suggesting steps writers can take to choose their words carefully.
D
Orwell’s purpose is to persuade his readers to use simple language in political writing. He achieves this by giving an example of a well-written political speech.
4

Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.Silly words and expressions have often disappeared, not through any evolutionary process but owing to the conscious action of a minority. Two recent examples were explore every avenue and leave no stone unturned, which were killed by the jeers of a few journalists.

A
examples
B
quotations
C
hypotheticals
D
statistics
5

A rebuttal explains why a counterclaim is

A
correct.
B
flawed.
C
important.
D
interesting.
6

Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.By this morning’s post I have received a pamphlet dealing with conditions in Germany. The author tells me that he "felt impelled” to write it. I open it at random, and here is almost the first sentence that I see: "[The Allies] have an opportunity not only of achieving a radical transformation of Germany’s social and political structure in such a way as to avoid a nationalistic reaction in Germany itself, but at the same time of laying the foundations of a cooperative and unified Europe.”

A
Orwell uses an example and statistical evidence in this excerpt.
B
Orwell uses an example and a quotation for evidence in this excerpt.
C
Orwell uses hypothetical and factual evidence in this excerpt.
D
Orwell uses hypothetical and statistical evidence in this excerpt.
7

Which is an example of hypothetical evidence?

A
Most politicians hire professional speech writers to prepare what they say.
B
In his latest speech, Mayor Johnson said, “It is time for cooperation among our citizens.”
C
Two-thirds of American students believe political speeches are difficult to understand.
D
Imagine how politics would change if leaders wrote their own speeches.
8

Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.There is a long list of fly-blown metaphors which could similarly be got rid of if enough people would interest themselves in the job; and it should also be possible to laugh the not ‘un-’ formation out of existence, to reduce the amount of Latin and Greek in the average sentence, to drive out foreign phrases and strayed scientific words, and, in general, to make pretentiousness unfashionable. But all these are minor points. The defense of the English language implies more than this, and perhaps it is best to start by saying what it does not imply.

A
to entertain readers with complex words
B
to entertain readers with clever ideas
C
to persuade readers to use more Latin and Greek in writing
D
to persuade readers to eliminate certain types of vague language
9

Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell.Things like the continuance of British rule in India, the Russian purges and deportations, the dropping of the atom bombs on Japan, can indeed be defended, but only by arguments which are too brutal for most people to face, and which do not square with the professed aims of political parties. Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness.

A
to inform readers of political events happening in his day
B
to inform readers of strong language used in political writing
C
to persuade readers that vague language is often used to soften harsh reality
D
to persuade readers that political speech should be softer and less specific

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