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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. Does McMurphy move the item in #40 as he says he can?

2. What does McMurphy say the previous doctor he had diagnosed him with?

3. Who are those who still have hope of being cured in the mental hospital?

4. Who is an epileptic?

5. What does Nurse Ratched remind McMurphy of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has McMurphy's rebellious spirit caused the men of the ward to begin to do?

2. What is so special about Harding in relation to the rest of the patients on the ward?

3. What changes McMurphy's mind about the way he has been acting on the ward?

4. What causes Nurse Ratched to fly into a rage at the start of the novel?

5. What does Nurse Ratched tell the young black men to do before breakfast?

6. How will the men be punished for the rebellious behavior they exhibited during the World Series?

7. Who is described as being alert and chipper, unlike other new admissions?

8. Which patients are the ones whose brains have been altered beyond repair from shock therapy and tranquilizers?

9. How could Billy Bibbit be described?

10. What is the cleaning crew of the mental hospital called?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harding is the character in the story that seems to be the most well-adjusted, aside from McMurphy. So, why do you think he is in the ward to begin with? Is he hiding from his wife or is he genuinely trying to change himself? Why do you think he has so many troubles with his wife in the first place? Why do you think Harding married his wife?

Essay Topic 2

The trips the patients take seem to be the times when the patients are the happiest. Why do you think this is the case? Is it merely because of the change of scenery or because of the trips' activities? Do you think these trips were a good idea for the patients? Why or why not? Were these trips a good idea for the nurses who allowed them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The patients of the ward all seem to have their own troubles and issues, but as a whole, they don't seem to be an unhappy bunch. Or do they? What signs do you see that point to the well being of the characters in this book? Which characters are more well adjusted than others? Why do you say this? Which characters are the least well adjusted? Why do you say this?

(see the answer keys)

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