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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much is Don giving to Earl for putting him in contact with the potential buyer?

2. Who is Don speaking with at the beginning of Act I?

3. How much money does Bob ask Don for before the break in?

4. In Act I, what does Teach mention about Bob that Don objects to?

5. What time of day is it in the first scene of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Teach revise Don's plan for the break in?

2. What does Don try to teach Bob at the beginning of the play?

3. Why does Teach need a nap in the final scene of Act I?

4. What does Bob reveal about why he bought the nickel after he has been hit?

5. Why does Teach object to Don eating yogurt for breakfast?

6. How does the issue of Fletcher's whereabouts finally get resolved?

7. How does Don seem to get angry with Bob over the news about Fletcher?

8. How does Bob try to make peace between Don and Teach when they begin to argue in Act II?

9. Why does Don say that Fletcher did not steal the pig iron from Ruthie?

10. What new information does Bob tell Don after he returns with breakfast?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Ruthie and Grace's impact on Teach. Why is he so angry with them? Is his jealousy a factor in his perspective of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the importance of setting in the novel. How does Don's Resale Shop create a useful backdrop for the characters and their schemes?

Essay Topic 3

Describe several instances of the way humor is used in American Buffalo. Does David Mamet use humor effectively? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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