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

2. What is Moss planning to do with his evening?

3. Who invalidated the last lead Levene closed?

4. Why is Moss asking Aaronow for his help?

5. Who does Aaronow claim to be concerned about as he and Moss complain about the sales contest?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Williamson blow Roma's big sale?

2. How does the deal between Levene and Williamson fall apart?

3. How does Williamson respond to Levene's offer of money?

4. In what ways do people deal with the uncertainties in life according to Roma?

5. Describe the initial interchange between Lingk and Roma?

6. What big news does Levene have when he enters in Act 2?

7. How does Levene explain his current poor performance?

8. Why is Roma frantic when he enters the office in Act 2?

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

10. What competitive sales situation has Williamson created in the office?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mamet's play essentially pits men against each other who are being constantly compared by forces far above them. Write an essay about this inherent comparison of talent and success:

Part 1) Levene speaks at length about his past glory. How does his fabled past compare with his present? How does his outlook on life change along with his fortunes over the course of the play?

Part 2) How does Dave Moss respond to being pitted against his fellow salesmen? How does his final argument with Roma reflect a deep insecurity regarding his own abilities.

Part 3) To what extent is Aaronow defeated by the system? Cite his interactions with Moss and Roma to determine what his chances of survival are. Is he the type of product intended by this competition?

Essay Topic 2

Mamet's play is essentially about what is hidden in our speech. Every character in the play wants something, but he conceals his desires behind small-talk, jargon, platitudes, and vulgarity. Choose one character from the play and analyze in an essay how he conceals his objectives. What does he want? How is his personality an act to distract people from his ultimate design? Does he succeed or fail?

Essay Topic 3

The robbery is a major driver of plot in the play. Every character is either a part of the plot, affected by it, or both. Write an essay examining the relationship of three characters to the plot. Why do they becomes a part of it? What is their attitude toward its aims? How does their participation in it affect them, and what consequences do they face as a result?

Part 1) Dave Moss

Part 2) George Aaronow

Part 3) Shelly Levene

(see the answer keys)

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