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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where was Oleg first when he was diagnosed with cancer, though he was not told of his test results?

2. What did Pavel and his wife make in order to try to bypass the normal treatment regimens in the hospital?

3. What does Vadim feel he has to contribute to the world during his short time on the planet?

4. What is Zoya studying in the book when she is talking with the other patients?

5. Who is the author of the short stories that Yefrem is reading, which causes Pavel to laugh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vera find in Oleg's cabinet before an inspection of the ward?

2. With what does Zoya ask Oleg to help her when she arrives at the hospital for her shift?

3. What does Pavel almost forget to tell his wife during their Sunday visit at the hospital?

4. What does the orderly do though she has only completed a part of her job?

5. What does Pavel find out in the paper when he finally gets a chance to read it after Oleg is done?

6. What does Zoya learn about the status of Oleg when they are talking in the doctor's lounge?

7. How does Zoya break the rules with the other patients in the ward after Kostoglotov asks to see her books?

8. Why does Zoya have trouble getting her work done when she is on shift at the hospital?

9. What is another way that Pavel decides to categorize the other patients in the ward with him, aside from the answer to #5?

10. Why has Zoya decided to wear a particular dress on the day that starts out this section of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pavel Rusanov is an important man in the Soviet Union and he expects to be treated as such, no matter where he is.

Part 1: Do you think that importance is something that should be valued in society?

Part 2: Does it seem possible for a person to always be treated as if they are the most important person in the room?

Part 3: Why do you think Pavel is a person who expects to be important wherever he goes?

Essay Topic 2

Pavel knows that he has manipulated many people in order to get the things he has, but cancer will not respond in the same way.

Part 1: Do you think there is ever a good reason to manipulate someone else?

Part 2: How do you think manipulation can work in your favor?

Part 3: Why do you think Pavel feels that manipulation is the best way to get what he wants?

Essay Topic 3

Dontsova has a thesis in progress, but she does not have the time to work on it because of her work in the cancer ward.

Part 1: Do you think that a thesis is something that should be more important than work?

Part 2: How do you think Dontsova might improve her work as a doctor if she were to be able to finish her thesis?

Part 3: Why do you think Dontsova doesn't have the time to complete it?

(see the answer keys)

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