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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) Someone having an affair.
(c) The San Andreas Fault
(d) When people start to not smile back.

2. What valuable observation does Biff make about his father's legacy?
(a) That there is more of him in the front stoop than in all his sales.
(b) That it should just be enough to support Linda for the rest of her life.
(c) That Willy showed them all that you needed to keep smiling to avoid failure.
(d) That they had better hurry and put in the claim for it.

3. What does Charley say is an "earthquake" for a salesman?
(a) When he drives off a bridge.
(b) When he has to spend a week in San Francisco.
(c) When people stop smiling back.
(d) When sales fall and he is sacked.

4. What does Willy find joy in recalling?
(a) Great times of comradeship with Biff
(b) Great times riding in sleighs and dressing as Santa to amuse the boys
(c) Great times in Boston with the Woman
(d) Great times on the road and many successful sales

5. What privilege does the Woman promise Willy?
(a) That she will get some silk stockings for Linda.
(b) That she will not tell anyone about their affair.
(c) That she will see he goes right through to the buyers.
(d) That she will show Willy what is in the safe.

Short Answer Questions

1. What size stockings does the woman demand?

2. What is Happy's intent for the future?

3. Which character is excited about jury duty?

4. What musical instrument can be heard as the scene changes?

5. What is Charley's response when Linda asks him to go on ahead?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Happy's gift of flowers?

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

3. Is Death of a Salesman an uncompromising indictment of "The American Dream"?

4. Why did Willy never find true happiness?

5. What information about his meeting with Bill Oliver does Biff supply to Willy?

6. What is the effect of Willy's words, "The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head."?

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

8. Which personal qualities does Happy reveal when Miss Forsythe enters the restaurant and he talks to her?

9. Account for Willy's anger towards Biff.

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

(see the answer keys)

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