Death of a Salesman Study Guide

1. Where does the Loman family live?

• Queens
• Boston
• Long Island
• Brooklyn

2. What is Happy's real name?

• Harlan
• Harold
• William
• Benjamin

3. Why does Willy believe his sons will be more successful than Bernard?

• That more women like Happy shows that he will be more successful.
• Biff's athletic accomplishments will get Biff into a better college.
• Bernard is "liked, but not well liked."
• Biff and Happy have better business connections because of Willy.

4. What does Willy promise the woman in the hotel room?

• Stockings
• Jewelry
• Flowers
• Marriage

5. Where did Ben become rich?

• Alaskan oil fields
• African diamond mines
• Mexican gold mines
• Montana ranches

6. Why does Linda believe that her sons should treat Willy kindly?

• He is a successful man who can teach his family a great deal.
• He is a human being, and "attention must be paid."
• He has provided well for his family.
• He has been a dedicated father.

7. Which character states "nobody dast blame this man?"

• Biff
• Charley
• Linda
• Ben

8. What object does Howard have in his office that frightens Willy?

• wire recorder
• electric typewriter
• television
• radio

9. Why does Biff not go to college?

• Willy cannot afford to pay for college.
• He refuses to go to summer school to pass math.
• He cannot get an athletic scholarship, as he expected.
• Biff preferred to go west and work on a ranch.

10. Which of the following is not a problem that Biff has that Willy ignores?

• Biff never trains properly for his games.
• Biff is too tough with the girls.
• Biff is constantly stealing.
• Biff does not study for the Regents exam.