View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Helena's constant need for Maria to help her make coffee symbolize?
(a) That she has no regard for Maria's time.
(b) That the people who have power cannot do anything for themselves.
(c) That she really likes coffee.
(d) That she is impatient.

2. What does Gross tell himself to rationalize his decision in Act 1, Scene 4?
(a) That he had no choice.
(b) That he was too weak to resist it.
(c) That Ballas was right.
(d) That he could better serve the company in his new position.

3. The parallels Havel draws in Act 1, Scene 4 are between Ballas and what?
(a) Bureaucracy.
(b) Hypocrisy.
(c) Incompetence.
(d) Irrational thinking.

4. How does Stroll exit in Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) Involuntarily.
(b) Slowly.
(c) Angrily.
(d) Suddenly.

5. Gross is being intentionally forced to lose more of what?
(a) His independence of thought.
(b) His earnings.
(c) His responsibility.
(d) His employees.

6. Who does Gross talk to while he is waiting for Helena?
(a) George.
(b) Hana.
(c) Savant.
(d) Himself.

7. The irony of the events in Acct 1, Scene 5 is that Gross' lack of knowledge prevents him from gaining what?
(a) His management position back.
(b) Knowledge.
(c) Power.
(d) His dignity.

8. What is the goal of the higher-ups in explaining the necessity for Ptydepe?
(a) To change the company's policy.
(b) To cause tension between the workers.
(c) To justify something that is obviously senseless.
(d) To help the workers understand it better.

9. What habit does Hana have that prevents her from doing work?
(a) She is always late.
(b) She asks too many questions.
(c) She combs her hair.
(d) She talks too much.

10. Who does Gross attempt to persuade in order to bypass authorization?
(a) Helena.
(b) Stroll.
(c) Ballas.
(d) Maria.

11. What is Gross rumored to be using inappropriately?
(a) His authority.
(b) The company vehicle.
(c) Company funds.
(d) A rubber stamp.

12. What does Gross fear if he does not agree to the switch?
(a) He will have to talk to the Staff Watcher again.
(b) He will have a lawsuit filed against him.
(c) He will be even further demoted.
(d) His career will be over.

13. What does Gross do with the letter?
(a) He reads it out loud.
(b) He ignores it.
(c) He burns it.
(d) He throws it away.

14. What is Gross's new title?
(a) Deputy Manager.
(b) Assistant Manager.
(c) Assistant Director.
(d) Deputy Director.

15. What is the overall point that Havel is making in Act 1, Scene 5?
(a) Gross does not belong in Ptydepe class.
(b) Everyone is smarter than Gross.
(c) Ptydepe is a waste of time.
(d) Gross has no idea that he is being manipulated.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the higher-ups apparently approve in return for the office using Ptydepe?

2. What is further illustrated in Scene 2?

3. What does Ballas ask Gross at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 4?

4. What indicates the author's symbolic use of metaphors?

5. What overall theme does the author use the office to illustrate?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 536 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample