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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. Jerry Graff buys a list of names of people in what profession?

2. What does Moss ambiguously suggest someone should do in the office?

3. How far back does Levene say he was pitching these same leads?

4. How much money does Levene offer to pay up front for the premium leads?

5. How does Moss know so much about Jerry Graff?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Roma introduce real estate to the conversation?

2. What offer has Jerry Graff made to Dave Moss?

3. How does Moss initially broach the idea of robbing the office?

4. What betrayal does Ricky Roma pull at the end of the play?

5. What is Shelley Levene's objective in having lunch with Williamson?

6. Describe George Aaronow.

7. What is the status of the salesmen at the end of Act 1?

8. Explain the distinction between "speaking" and "talking" in this scene.

9. How does Williamson figure out that Levene robbed the office?

10. What does Levene say to Williamson when he first comes to the office?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In accordance with his interest in misdirection and scheming, Mamet's work is know for its critique of the English language. Primarily, the playwright argues that the language is misleading and imprecise. Write an essay on Mamet's ambiguous language, focusing on Moss's interchange with Aaronow regarding the robbery. How does Moss parse the words "talking" and "speaking?" How does this allow him to entrap Aaronow?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the setting of the play. What is Mamet saying about the world that these men inhabit? Does he believe they can ever escape it, or does the constant grinding follow them everywhere they go? What lives do they have outside of this world? Divide the essay into two parts analyzing the significance and connection between these two locations:

Part 1) The Chinese restaurant

Part 2) The office

Essay Topic 3

One of the central drivers of plot in the play is the sales contest. Write an essay on this contest in three parts:

Part 1) Williamson is the bearer of new from Mitch and Murray, and he endeavors to explain the reasoning behind the contest. How does he defend the contest to Levene? Do you think it is intended to increase revenue, reduce the work force, or both?

Part 2) Levene, Moss, and Aaronow all decry the idiocy of the contest in the first act. What are their points regarding it? How was the business run in the past in terms of compensation? Do you think these men have a point?

Part 3) What unintended consequences result for the institution of this contest? Does the company ultimately benefit from it? What problems does it cause for Williamson and the salesmen?

(see the answer keys)

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