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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. What point is the author trying to make by having Hana make separate trips for food?
(a) She is always hungry.
(b) They don't have money in the budget for a new log book, but there is money for food.
(c) She is wasting time, but no one realizes it.
(d) Gross has no control over her.

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

3. What overall theme does the author use the office to illustrate?
(a) Government bureaucracy.
(b) Office managers seldom know what is happening in their own office.
(c) How to deal with troubled employees.
(d) The problems workers have with authority.

4. What does Gross interrupt at the start of Act 1, Scene 5?
(a) A board meeting called by Lear.
(b) Lear's lecture.
(c) A conversation between Lear and Ballas.
(d) A meeting between Lear and Stroll.

5. What is Gross' main concern that leads him to become angry in Act 1, Scene 6?
(a) The abuse of power that Ballas is showing.
(b) The stupidity of Ptydepe.
(c) The unfair treatment of Maria.
(d) The complicated process of getting a translation.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does the clerk's questions impress?

2. What is Savant's primary responsibility as the Ptydepeist?

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

4. Who does Gross talk to while he is waiting for Helena?

5. What does Helena's constant need for Maria to help her make coffee symbolize?

Short Essay Questions

1. After all of the speculation throughout the play, what are the contents of Gross' memo revealed to be, and what effect does this have on him?

2. What is Ballas' new offer to Gross, and what is the cause of it as well as the reasoning behind it?

3. What subliminal warning does the character of Thumb bring from the author?

4. What does Gross' signature of the Ptydepe authorization set into motion?

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

6. What is both ironic and significant about Pillar's outburst at the end of Act 2, Scene 10?

7. What important message does Maria give to Gross at the beginning of the second part of Act 2, Scene 9, part 2 about winning, and how does it apply to his situation?

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

9. How is Gross manipulated again in Act 1, Scene 5?

10. How is Lear's explanation of Ptydepe used to display the arrogance and self-indulgent actions of bureaucrats?

(see the answer keys)

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