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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. What happens to many of the passengers on the ship Mary Praise takes to Africa?

2. Why does Sister Mary go to the Missing Hospital?

3. Who is John Melly?

4. What is Marion's life like as a toddler?

5. What does Hema agree to do concerning Ghosh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Dr. Stone is close to death?

2. What happens the moment Hema arrives back at Missing?

3. What do the students do at the beginning of the coup, and how successful are they?

4. What confuses Hema for a moment about Gebrew's message?

5. How is Marion responsible for the death of a soldier?

6. By the time the twins are six how are they known, and what do they realize about Shiva?

7. What is Ghosh doing while Hema is with Mary and Dr. Stone, and how does he find out about Mary's death?

8. What devastates Mary about the boat trip, and what does Dr. Stone ask her when they reach Addis Ababa? What is Mary's response to his question?

9. How does Mary end up at Missing Hospital?

10. What incident shapes Shiva to become the doctor he becomes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marion and Shiva. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Genet and Tsige. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Cutting for Stone" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Cutting for Stone", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Cutting for Stone". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Cutting for Stone" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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