Brave New World Test

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  • 1/20 Questions

    What genre is the novel, Brave New World?

    • Dystopian
    • Shilling Thriller
    • Epistolary Novel
    • Frame Narrative
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About This Quiz

This quiz assesses understanding of Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', focusing on key characters, themes, and philosophical questions raised in the novel. It evaluates comprehension and critical thinking about societal structure and individual roles within the narrative.

Brave New World Test - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Brave New World was published in __________.

    • 1932

    • 1929

    • 1923

    • 1941

    Correct Answer
    A. 1932
    Explanation
    Brave New World, a dystopian novel written by Aldous Huxley, was published in 1932. The novel depicts a futuristic society where technology and genetic engineering are used to control and manipulate the population, exploring themes of conformity, individuality, and the dangers of a totalitarian regime. The publication year of 1932 is significant as it reflects the author's vision of a future world and provides a historical context for the ideas and criticisms presented in the novel.

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  • 3. 

    From what perspective does Huxley write?

    • As one who is optimistic about the future after the end of the Great War.

    • As one who has witnessed severe changes in society throughout his lifetime, and he fears that one day his society will be unrecognizable.

    • As a champion of communism to help remedy the global depression.

    • He wrote the novel as pro-war propaganda piece, to scare people of the possibility of dictatorship, and to urge Great Britain to go to war.

    Correct Answer
    A. As one who has witnessed severe changes in society throughout his lifetime, and he fears that one day his society will be unrecognizable.
    Explanation
    Huxley writes from the perspective of someone who has experienced significant societal changes and is concerned that these changes will ultimately lead to a society that is unrecognizable. This suggests that Huxley's writing is influenced by his observations of the world around him and his anxieties about the direction in which society is heading.

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  • 4. 

    What book does Mustapha Mond show to John?

    • The Holy Bible

    • Beowulf

    • Paradise Lost

    • The Vanity of Human Wishes

    Correct Answer
    A. The Holy Bible
    Explanation
    page 230

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  • 5. 

    Who best serves as Bernard's foil?

    • Lenina

    • Benito

    • The Controller

    • Helmholtz

    Correct Answer
    A. Helmholtz
    Explanation
    Helmholtz best serves as Bernard's foil because he is portrayed as a contrast to Bernard's character. While Bernard is insecure, socially awkward, and rebellious against the norms of the World State, Helmholtz is confident, popular, and charismatic. He represents the ideal citizen of the society, fully embracing its values and conforming to its expectations. This sharp contrast between Bernard and Helmholtz highlights Bernard's outsider status and further emphasizes his dissatisfaction with the society he lives in.

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  • 6. 

    What is the tone of Helmholtz's poem?"Yesterday's committee, Sticks, but a broken drum, Midnight in the City, Flutes in a vacuum, Shut lips, sleeping faces, Every stopped machine, The dumb and littered places Where crowds have been: … All silences rejoice, Weep (loudly or low), Speak–but with the voice Of whom, I do not know. Absence, say, of Susan's, Absence of Egeria's Arms and respective bosoms, Lips and, ah, posteriors, Slowly form a presence; Whose? and, I ask, of what So absurd an essence, That something, which is not, Nevertheless should populate Empty night more solidly Than that with which we copulate, Why should it seem so squalidly? 

    • Elation

    • Melancholy

    • Caustic

    • Mocking

    Correct Answer
    A. Melancholy
    Explanation
    The tone of Helmholtz's poem can be described as melancholy. The poem uses imagery and descriptions of silence, absence, and emptiness to convey a sense of sadness and longing. The speaker reflects on the quiet and deserted places, the absence of loved ones, and questions the purpose and meaning of existence. This creates a somber and reflective mood throughout the poem.

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  • 7. 

    What is the theme of Helmholtz's poem?"Yesterday's committee, Sticks, but a broken drum, Midnight in the City, Flutes in a vacuum, Shut lips, sleeping faces, Every stopped machine, The dumb and littered places Where crowds have been: … All silences rejoice, Weep (loudly or low), Speak–but with the voice Of whom, I do not know. Absence, say, of Susan's, Absence of Egeria's Arms and respective bosoms, Lips and, ah, posteriors, Slowly form a presence; Whose? and, I ask, of what So absurd an essence, That something, which is not, Nevertheless should populate Empty night more solidly Than that with which we copulate, Why should it seem so squalidly? 

    • Courage

    • Solitude

    • Acceptance

    • Loyalty

    Correct Answer
    A. Solitude
    Explanation
    The theme of Helmholtz's poem can be inferred as solitude. The poem describes various instances of silence and absence, emphasizing the empty and deserted nature of the surroundings. The speaker questions the essence and presence of something that is not tangible, highlighting the feeling of loneliness and isolation. The use of words like "absence," "empty night," and "squalidly" further reinforce the theme of solitude.

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  • 8. 

    What type of rhyme does the poem use?"Yesterday's committee, Sticks, but a broken drum, Midnight in the City, Flutes in a vacuum, Shut lips, sleeping faces, Every stopped machine, The dumb and littered places Where crowds have been: … All silences rejoice, Weep (loudly or low), Speak–but with the voice Of whom, I do not know. Absence, say, of Susan's, Absence of Egeria's Arms and respective bosoms, Lips and, ah, posteriors, Slowly form a presence; Whose? and, I ask, of what So absurd an essence, That something, which is not, Nevertheless should populate Empty night more solidly Than that with which we copulate, Why should it seem so squalidly? 

    • End rhyme

    • Internal rhyme

    • Rich rhyme

    • Identical rhyme

    Correct Answer
    A. End rhyme
    Explanation
    The poem uses end rhyme, which is evident in the repetition of similar sounds at the end of each line. This can be seen in words such as "drum," "vacuum," "machine," and "been." The use of end rhyme helps to create a rhythmic and melodic quality to the poem, as well as providing a sense of structure and cohesion.

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  • 9. 

    What likely inspired Huxley's Brave New World?

    • Dictators taking over as a result of fear, anger, and uncertainty.

    • Hitler's invasions.

    • The Easter Rising of 1916

    • Working class resentment after WWII

    Correct Answer
    A. Dictators taking over as a result of fear, anger, and uncertainty.
    Explanation
    Huxley's Brave New World likely drew inspiration from the idea of dictators taking over as a result of fear, anger, and uncertainty. This theme is reflected in the dystopian society depicted in the novel, where a totalitarian government controls every aspect of people's lives. The fear, anger, and uncertainty of the masses are exploited by the ruling class to maintain their power and control. This concept aligns with the historical context of the time when Huxley wrote the novel, as dictators like Hitler were rising to power by manipulating the fears and discontent of the people.

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  • 10. 

    Helmholtz found himself in trouble with the authorities over a poem he wrote and shared with his Advanced Emotional Engineering students.  Who turned him in?

    • Bernard Marx

    • Benito Hoover

    • One of his students

    • The principal of the school

    Correct Answer
    A. The principal of the school
    Explanation
    page 180

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  • 11. 

    What appears to be Huxley's attitude towards communism?

    • He feared it.

    • He championed it.

    • He believed it could benefit a society as long as the right leaders were in power.

    • He had no opinion on communism.

    Correct Answer
    A. He feared it.
    Explanation
    Huxley's attitude towards communism can be inferred from the statement "He feared it." This suggests that Huxley had a negative view of communism and possibly saw it as a threat or danger.

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  • 12. 

    John expects that he will react to the World State like ____________ did to the island in The Tempest, but he actually turns out to be more like ___________.

    • Prospero, Miranda

    • Miranda, the savage

    • The savage, Miranda

    • Miranda, Prospero

    Correct Answer
    A. Miranda, the savage
    Explanation
    John expects that he will react to the World State like Miranda did to the island in The Tempest, but he actually turns out to be more like the savage.

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  • 13. 

    What was a common characteristic of writers during WWI.

    • They were optimistic about the future.

    • They mainly wrote pro-war propaganda.

    • They shared a profound sense of disillusionment.

    • They mainly wrote about the horrors of war.

    Correct Answer
    A. They shared a profound sense of disillusionment.
    Explanation
    During WWI, writers commonly shared a profound sense of disillusionment. This means that they felt a deep disappointment and loss of faith in the ideals and values that they once held. The horrors and atrocities of war had shattered their optimism and made them question the meaning and purpose of life. This sense of disillusionment was reflected in their writings, which often portrayed the grim reality of war and its devastating effects on individuals and society.

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  • 14. 

    What does Ford symbolize in Brave New World?

    • The advancement from cars to helicopters that they use for transportation.

    • Huxley is satirizing Christianity, arguing that deities are irrelevant.

    • The lead controller of the World State, Ford, is god-like, so Huxley is likening dictators to deities.

    • Huxley deifies Ford to represent the citizens commendation of mass production and consumerism.

    Correct Answer
    A. Huxley deifies Ford to represent the citizens commendation of mass production and consumerism.
    Explanation
    Huxley deifies Ford to represent the citizens' commendation of mass production and consumerism. This means that Huxley portrays Ford as a god-like figure in order to emphasize the citizens' worship and admiration of mass production and consumerism. By elevating Ford to a deity, Huxley is critiquing the society's obsession with materialism and the dehumanizing effects of a consumerist culture.

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  • 15. 

    Why does Mustapha Mond say that sending Bernard Marx to an island is more of a reward than a punishment?

    • The islanders will recondition him so that he will be able to return to society and happily fit in.

    • There are no rules on the island, and each person is free to live as they choose.

    • The most interesting men and women in the world live there.

    • The island is full of beautiful scenery, unlike anything they have in the World State.

    Correct Answer
    A. The most interesting men and women in the world live there.
    Explanation
    page 227

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  • 16. 

    What is one thing Huxley satirizes in Brave New World?

    • Nationalism and the British Commonwealth of Nations

    • The British government's maltreatment of the native islanders.

    • The Bloomsbury Group

    • The depth of global depression

    Correct Answer
    A. Nationalism and the British Commonwealth of Nations
    Explanation
    In Brave New World, Huxley satirizes nationalism and the British Commonwealth of Nations. He criticizes the idea of blind loyalty to one's country and the notion of a hierarchical global organization. Huxley portrays a dystopian society where individuality and personal freedom are suppressed in favor of a homogeneous world order. By satirizing nationalism and the Commonwealth, Huxley highlights the dangers of sacrificing individuality for the sake of conformity and the negative consequences of a global power structure.

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  • 17. 

    Why does the Director tell John that the citizens of the World State will not understand Othello?

    • They no longer take literature classes in school.

    • Othello is too old and the language and culture are too remote for them to understand.

    • In order to have tragedy, one must have social instability.

    • The story of Othello is too unpleasant, and they would not understand it because they would not make it to the end of the play.

    Correct Answer
    A. In order to have tragedy, one must have social instability.
    Explanation
    page 220

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  • 18. 

    How is the novel, Brave New World structured?

    • Chronologically

    • In media res

    • Frame narrative

    • Epistolary novel

    Correct Answer
    A. In media res
    Explanation
    "In media res" is the correct answer because it refers to a storytelling technique where the narrative begins in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning. This structure is often used to engage the reader immediately and create a sense of intrigue. In the case of Brave New World, the novel starts with the protagonist already living in the dystopian society, and the backstory and world-building are gradually revealed throughout the story.

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  • 19. 

    Mustapha Mond explains that "the optimum population...is modelled on the iceberg..." (Huxley 223).  What does he mean?

    • There can only be a few leaders to a majority of followers.

    • Citizens should only know what little they need to know about their reality.

    • If there is no social stability, society will dwindle like a melting iceberg until there is nothing left.

    • Outsiders only see what is on the surface of their society, but in order to truly understand it, and appreciate it, you have to look deeper.

    Correct Answer
    A. There can only be a few leaders to a majority of followers.
    Explanation
    Mustapha Mond's statement about the optimum population being modeled on an iceberg suggests that in a stable society, there should be a small number of leaders who guide and control the larger population of followers. This analogy implies a hierarchical structure where a few individuals hold power and make decisions for the majority. Just as the visible tip of an iceberg is only a small fraction of its total size, the leaders represent a small portion of the population but have a significant influence and control over the society.

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  • 20. 

    What is the meaning of the italicized text?"Yesterday's committee, Sticks, but a broken drum, Midnight in the City, Flutes in a vacuum, Shut lips, sleeping faces, Every stopped machine, The dumb and littered places Where crowds have been: … All silences rejoice, Weep (loudly or low), Speak–but with the voice Of whom, I do not know. Absence, say, of Susan's, Absence of Egeria's Arms and respective bosoms, Lips and, ah, posteriors, Slowly form a presence; Whose? and, I ask, of what So absurd an essence, That something, which is not, Nevertheless should populate Empty night more solidly Than that with which we copulate, Why should it seem so squalidly? 

    • The World State's culture seems absurd to him.

    • An unknown presence makes Helmholtz feel as though having sex is dirty.

    • The unknown essence that penetrates the night seems squalid.

    • The empty night is populated with copulating couples.

    Correct Answer
    A. An unknown presence makes Helmholtz feel as though having sex is dirty.
    Explanation
    The passage suggests that there is an unknown presence that affects Helmholtz's perception of sex, making him feel as though it is dirty. This is evident in the lines "Slowly form a presence; Whose? and, I ask, of what So absurd an essence, That something, which is not, Nevertheless should populate Empty night more solidly Than that with which we copulate, Why should it seem so squalidly?" The use of words like "absurd," "squalid," and "populate" implies a negative connotation towards sex, indicating that Helmholtz views it as dirty due to this unknown presence.

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  • Current Version
  • Apr 25, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 09, 2016
    Quiz Created by
    Jessicaleague
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