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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Charley say causes an earthquake?
(a) A young man flunking Math.
(b) When people start to not smile back.
(c) The San Andreas Fault
(d) Someone having an affair.

2. How does Happy advise his brother to deal with the Bill Oliver matter?
(a) He urges Biff to return the fountain pen anonymously.
(b) He advises Biff to go back and try again in a week.
(c) He urges Biff to lie to Willy and pretend Bill Oliver is considering the matter.
(d) He urges Biff to pretend Bill Oliver has offered the money unconditionally.

3. What is Linda's response to the flowers?
(a) She knocks them to the floor.
(b) She weeps a little and puts them to her face.
(c) She weeps, then throws them right back at the giver.
(d) She smiles grimly, then puts the flowers in a vase.

4. How does Linda react to Charley's words at the beginning of the scene?
(a) She shoves him angrily.
(b) She thanks him.
(c) She does not react.
(d) She cries.

5. What is Charley's response when Linda asks him to go on ahead?
(a) He hesitates.
(b) He looks around thoughtfully.
(c) He takes off at a jog.
(d) He refuses and stands close to her.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Willy explain the Woman's presence to Biff?

2. Why does Linda stop picking up the flowers from the floor?

3. Who brings flowers for Linda?

4. What are the types of seeds Willy is planting?

5. Ben refers to ____________ when he says: 'It's dark there, but full of diamonds."

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Willy's reaction to Biff's attempt to tell the day's events truthfully?

2. Did Willy Loman die in vain?

3. Why did Willy never find true happiness?

4. What is one function of the figure of Ben in his last manifestation inside Willy's head?

5. In what way is Willy's life echoed in Biff's account of his attempt to see Bill Oliver?

6. Explain Happy's refusal to go with Biff and make a life for themselves in the country.

7. What is Willy's final fantasy?

8. Account for Linda's bewilderment at Willy's suicide.

9. In what way, according to Willy, does a man have to "add up to something" when he leaves this world?

10. Is Biff correct in saying of Willy that "He never knew who he was."?

(see the answer keys)

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