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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is wrong with Biff whistling in the elevator?
(a) It is tuneless.
(b) It annoys other people in the lift.
(c) It indicates he is irresponsible and childish.
(d) It indicates he is over confident.

2. Where was Ben living when he died?
(a) Australia
(b) Alaska
(c) Africa
(d) Arkansas

3. What great regret does Willy mention to Happy?
(a) Not buying new stockings for Linda
(b) Not talking to Mr Birnbaum about Biff's Math results
(c) Driving badly in Yonkers
(d) Not going to Alaska with his brother

4. What suggests to us that Biff has returned from a journey?
(a) Biff's suitcase is in the hall.
(b) Linda mentions that Biff has "just got off [a] train."
(c) A partially unpacked suitcase is on Biff's bed.
(d) Linda tells Willy she met the train.

5. What does Linda suggest is "not nice?"
(a) That Biff has Bernard help him cheat at Math.
(b) That Biff has stolen a football.
(c) That Biff is driving a car without a licence.
(d) That Biff is "stuck up."

6. To what does Bernard attribute Biff's lack of success after the age of seventeen?
(a) Bernard says people do not trust Biff to commit.
(b) Biff has never trained himself for anything.
(c) Biff has never been well-liked.
(d) Bernard simply has no idea.

7. For what reason does Biff believe the Lomans are unsuccessful?
(a) They do not have a clear mission statement.
(b) They are not competitive enough.
(c) They are not loyal and committed.
(d) They do not belong in the city and should be working with their hands.

8. Why does Willy need to borrow money from Charley?
(a) He has a loan shark after him and is terrified.
(b) He cannot afford his insurance premium.
(c) He cannot afford his next car payment.
(d) He has no money to buy Linda a birthday present.

9. In what way does Willy contradict himself in this opening scene?
(a) He first asks Linda for a sandwich, then says he'll just drink some milk.
(b) Willy first describes Biff as "a lazy bum," then a few seconds later says "Biff--he's not lazy."
(c) He first says that Biff is not lazy, then calls him "a lazy bum."
(d) He boasts about his sales, then says he's a hopeless salesman.

10. What is Happy's reaction to the news that his father has been attempting suicide?
(a) He says this is terrible and he must do something.
(b) He says Willy is a "poor fool."
(c) He is angry with Linda for not telling them sooner.
(d) He says Willy is a "damned fool."

11. ___________ says "And, by God, I was rich."
(a) Ben Loman
(b) Bill Oliver
(c) Willy Loman
(d) Ketchikan

12. Why does Willy admire Dave Singleman?
(a) He travels in the smoking car and has green velvet slippers.
(b) He keeps his high sales figures until well into his nineties.
(c) He brokers a sponsorship deal with the Yankees.
(d) Even at the age of eighty-four, he is a successful salesman.

13. What is it that Linda almost forgets to tell Willy?
(a) That he is to meet Bill Oliver at Frank's Chop House.
(b) That he is to give Charley an answer about a job.
(c) That she needs two hundred dollars to cover the month's expenses.
(d) That he is to meet the boys for dinner at Frank's Chop House.

14. When Linda says "You notice?", what is she referring to?
(a) That she has dyed her hair
(b) The smell of shaving lotion pervading the house
(c) The new night dress she is wearing
(d) The aroma of the Irish stew she made for dinner

15. Why didn't Biff attend the university?
(a) Willy couldn't afford the outrageous tuition fees.
(b) He was unsuccessful in getting a football scholarship.
(c) He flunked high school Math.
(d) Biff didn't want to have to leave home.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Willy pay for Biff's radio correspondence course?

2. What does Howard say about his new wire recorder?

3. According to Linda, in what way does Willy compare with many other people?

4. What does Linda think will happen in Biff's meeting with Bill Oliver?

5. How did Ben make his fortune?

(see the answer keys)

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