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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. How much debt does Hermann have?

2. How is Ben Taub described?

3. What is Taylor's appearance like in Chapter 13?

4. What is Claire doing at the beginning of Chapter 21?

5. What is Armando's family status?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the Committee decide to send Armando in Chapter 18?

2. What condition does Landon have, and why?

3. According to the author, what does the debate over medical ethics boil down to?

4. What does Mary try to do for Armando in Chapter 18?

5. How is Patrick's condition changing in Chapter 12?

6. Why wasn't Hermann Hospital built right away?

7. What are Hazel Mitchell's responsibilities at Hermann?

8. What happens to Armando when he arrives at his new facility?

9. What happens when Norma tells Armando about his condition?

10. What is the Committee's decision regarding Taylor, in Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the actions and personalities of Patrick and Armando. What is different about their relationships with the hospital staff, and why? What are the similarities and differences in their home situations? What do you think would have happened if they had met? Why do they have such different attitudes about their respective illnesses? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The board of trustees at Hermann Hospital was embroiled in scandals, during the early days of the hospital. How did this affect the hospital's function? How did it affect patients' opinions of the hospital? If you were a patient, would you want to choose another hospital over Hermann, because of its reputation? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Think about the debate over the purpose of medical care. What are the different views presented in the book? Which one do you agree with? Why? At what point does medical care change from improving the quality of a person's life, to simply sustaining that life? Is it selfish to keep someone alive when they have no hope of recovery? Or is it "playing God" to let someone die? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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