Question

instructions for student
student directions: read the excerpt from the novel 1984 by george orwell. then read the inference and choose the text evidence that most strongly supports it.
the thing that he was about to do was to open a diary. this was not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws), but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death, or at least by twenty - five years in a forced - labour camp. winston fitted a nib into the penholder and sucked it to get the grease off. the pen was an archaic instrument, seldom used even for signatures, and he had procured one, furtively and with some difficulty, simply because of a feeling that the beautiful creamy paper deserved to be written on with a real nib instead of being scratched with an ink - pencil. actually he was not used to writing by hand. apart from very short notes, it was usual to dictate everything into the speakwrite which was of course impossible for his present purpose. he dipped the pen into the ink and then faltered for just a second. a tremor had gone through his bowels. to mark the paper was the decisive act.

1. the character in this text lives in a society without a formal government.

a. “... nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws.”
b. “... if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death.”

1. the character in this text lives in a society where one’s ability to communicate is controlled.

a. “apart from very short notes, it was usual to dictate everything into the speakwrite which was of course impossible for his present purpose.”
b. “the thing that he was about to do was to open a diary... but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death, or at least twenty - five years in a forced labour camp.”

1. the character in this text is planning to write in the diary he has just opened.

a. “the thing that he was about to do was to open a diary. this was not illegal...”
b. “winston fitted a nib into the penholder and sucked it to get the grease off.”

1. the society is technologically advanced.

a. “the pen was an archaic instrument, seldom used even for signatures.”
b. “actually he was not used to writing by hand.”

1. the character in this text is afraid of what will happen if the diary is discovered.

a. “he dipped the pen into the ink and then faltered for just a second. a tremor had gone through his bowels. to mark the paper was the decisive act.”
b. “... he had procured one, furtively and with some difficulty, simply because of a feeling that the beautiful creamy paper deserved to be written on with a real nib instead of being scratched with an ink - pencil.”

Explanation:

1. The lack of laws implies no formal government structure to enforce them.
2. The reliance on a speak - write for communication shows control over how one can communicate.
3. Fitting a nib into a penholder is an action indicating preparation to write in the diary.
4. The pen being archaic and seldom used suggests the existence of more advanced writing or communication methods.
5. The character's hesitation and tremor show fear of the consequences if the diary is discovered.

Answer:

1. A. "... nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws."
2. A. "Apart from very short notes, it was usual to dictate everything into the speakwrite which was of course impossible for his present purpose."
3. B. "Winston fitted a nib into the penholder and sucked it to get the grease off."
4. A. "The pen was an archaic instrument, seldom used even for signatures."
5. A. "He dipped the pen into the ink and then faltered for just a second. A tremor had gone through his bowels. To mark the paper was the decisive act."