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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. Who brings flowers for Linda?

2. What makes Willy feel broken and desperate?

3. How does Biff convey his strong reluctance to see Bill Oliver?

4. What does Charley say causes an earthquake?

5. What food does Happy want served at the restaurant?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Charlie reply with just a grunt to Happy's angry attitude to his father's suicide and claim that "We would've helped him."?

3. In what way is Happy's betrayal of his father ironic?

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

5. Did Willy Loman die in vain?

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

7. How does Biff feel about lying to his father about the Bill Oliver interview?

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

9. Account for Willy's anger towards Biff.

10. How is it again made evident that Willy Loman "had the wrong dreams"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Death of a Salesman offers a pessimistic view of the citizen's place in the social world.'" Do you agree? Regardless of how you answer regarding Willy, what of his sons? Describe the likely futures of Biff and Happy.

Essay Topic 2

"The commercial world inhabited by Willy Loman is very different from that which operates in the twenty-first century. Willy's tragedy would be impossible today." Referring to the text and to your knowledge of today's world, either agree with or refute this statement.

Essay Topic 3

"Willy Loman's life is a complete waste, as is his death." Explain and discuss the significance of this comment, referring closely to the play.

(see the answer keys)

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