View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How has Willy's salary rate changed?
(a) His rate of commission has been reduced.
(b) He is to be paid according to a strict time sheet.
(c) He is no longer paid overtime.
(d) He is now on commission only like a beginner.

2. What worrying news does Bernard bring?
(a) He has heard that Mr Birnbaum is leaving the school.
(b) He has heard Mr Birnbaum threatening to flunk Biff in Math.
(c) He has heard that someone else has won the sports scholarship.
(d) Biff has failed Math.

3. Where does Willy believe his company most needs him?
(a) In New England
(b) In New York
(c) In Florida
(d) In Yonkers

4. What does Willy feel is a disgrace?
(a) Not finding yourself by the age of thirty-four
(b) Not being married by the age of thirty-four
(c) Making less than thirty-five dollars per week
(d) Living on a farm

5. For what reason does Willy think the builder should have been arrested?
(a) For preventing Willy from growing carrots in his backyard
(b) For harassment and fraud
(c) For building the bad-taste apartments
(d) For cutting down two beautiful elm trees

Short Answer Questions

1. What is it about Willy that the woman says she likes?

2. What is wrong with Biff whistling in the elevator?

3. What does Willy's plan for cutting off the tree branch show us about him?

4. What excuse does Charley give Willy for his visit?

5. What change has Happy noticed in Biff?

Short Essay Questions

1. As this scene (inside Willy's head) continues, what false idea does Willy peddle to his sons?

2. In what way is the contrast between Willy's dreams and reality expressed in his conversation with Linda?

3. What erratic behavior of Willy's indicates that he is disintegrating emotionally?

4. In what way does the commercial world intrude into the wire recorder demonstration?

5. Comment on Willy's "Dave Singleman" speech.

6. What is revealed about Willy during his hallucinatory return to the past?

7. What is Linda's attitude to Willy's return?

8. Why has Willy unexpectedly returned from his journey?

9. What important idea in the play is referenced by Linda's words, 'He could be--anything--in that suit!"?

10. Comment about Willy's assertion that "I never in my life told him anything but decent things."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,223 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample