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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Maria offer Helena in Act 1, scene 3?
(a) Cigarettes.
(b) Onions.
(c) A donut.
(d) A roll.

2. One main point in Act 1, Scene 4 is to display that Ballas and the higher-ups are after power for what purpose?
(a) For its own sake.
(b) To destroy Gross.
(c) To benefit financially.
(d) To cause chaos.

3. What do Stroll and Savant offer as proof for their theory that Gross "lusts after" Maria?
(a) That the Staff Watcher heard Gross call her sweetheart.
(b) That Gross always gets up when she enters the room.
(c) That Gross has asked her out on a date.
(d) That Gross has trouble speaking when she is around.

4. As explained in the play, what is Ptydepe designed to reduce?
(a) A language barrier between employees.
(b) Subordination.
(c) Clerical errors.
(d) Individuality.

5. What does Stroll tell Gross is necessary in order to prevent any further individualism?
(a) The restriction of any worker leaving the office.
(b) The authorization for all Ptydepe translations.
(c) The mandatory number of hours a worker is required to work.
(d) The authorization of all future purchases.

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

7. According to Lear, how is the best way to learn Ptydepe?
(a) With unshakeable faith.
(b) By speaking it every day.
(c) Slowly.
(d) With an abandonment of English.

8. In modern times, what is a term used to describe the act of portraying something negative in a positive way?
(a) "Spin."
(b) "Bloviating."
(c) "Get on a soapbox."
(d) "Rant."

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

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

11. What does Gross' lack of Ptydepe knowledge signal, according to Lear?
(a) That he deserved to be removed from his position.
(b) That he is smarter than the rest of the class.
(c) That he is not genuinely interested in learning Ptydepe.
(d) That he should not be working for the company.

12. What indicates the author's symbolic use of metaphors?
(a) The names of the characters.
(b) Gross' quest for information.
(c) Helena's mysterious actions.
(d) The setting.

13. What does the clerk's character symbolize?
(a) The notion of how lazy workers can advance in a company through deceit.
(b) The concerns of the common worker.
(c) The dangers of blind loyalty in a bureaucratic system.
(d) The result of a meaningless system.

14. Who is revealed to be the person that authorized the use of Ptydepe?
(a) Pillar.
(b) Ballas.
(c) Gross.
(d) Hana.

15. Lear agrees to help Gross, only if he can show that his interest in Ptydepe is what?
(a) Sincere.
(b) Mandatory.
(c) A sign of acceptance.
(d) Fabricated.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Gross tell himself to rationalize his decision in Act 1, Scene 4?

2. What leads to Ballas and Gross switching positions?

3. What is it about the letter that automatically irritates Gross?

4. Who does Gross attempt to persuade in order to bypass authorization?

5. What does Gross finally concede to do in Act 1, Scene 4?

(see the answer keys)

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