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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. Who does the clerk's questions impress?
(a) Lear.
(b) Ballas.
(c) Hana.
(d) Gross.

2. What does Gross carry with him throughout Scene 2?
(a) The memorandum.
(b) A roll.
(c) A pen and paper.
(d) The new log book.

3. What is Gross symbolically holding when Ballas and Pillar return to his office in Act 1 Scene 4?
(a) A paper weight.
(b) A Ptydepe Dictionary.
(c) An empty box.
(d) A fire extinguisher.

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

5. What does Gross finally concede to do in Act 1, Scene 4?
(a) Apologize to Stroll.
(b) Talk to the Staff Watcher.
(c) Purchase a new rubber stamp.
(d) Authorize the continued use of Ptydepe.

Short Answer Questions

1. One main point in Act 1, Scene 4 is to display that Ballas and the higher-ups are after power for what purpose?

2. What habit does Hana have that prevents her from doing work?

3. In modern times, what is a term used to describe the act of portraying something negative in a positive way?

4. Who receives an A, scoring better than Gross, on their knowledge of Ptydepe?

5. Who does Helena introduce herself as?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lear explain the complexities of Ptydepe to the class?

2. Who is Thumb and what does the character represent?

3. What do the cigars symbolize and how are they used to introduce the Staff Watcher's place in the play?

4. How does Gross justify his situation to himself towards the end of Act 1, Scene 4?

5. In the final scene of the play, what theme is brought to the forefront and what is the message Havel delivers?

6. What do we notice right away about the relationship between Ballas and Pillar?

7. What possibility does Lear's empty classroom at the end of Act 2, Scene 8 symbolize?

8. What is it about the letter Gross receives that gets his attention, why is it significant to the play, and how does Gross react to it?

9. What do Hana's habits and actions symbolize?

10. What are the noticeable habits of Hana, the secretary, that are displayed in the beginning of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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