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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 is immediately noticeable about Landon when he is born?

2. Where does Teresa often see the Sparks?

3. What was the founder's stipulation for the funding he left to build a hospital?

4. Why does Claire get rushed to the hospital in Chapter 21?

5. How much is Armando's bill to date?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the Sparks family, in the four years following the events in the book?

2. Who is Cindy Walker?

3. Who was the founder of Hermann Hospital, and how did he make his fortune?

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

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

6. Why did the courts revise Hermann's will after his death?

7. What is Armando's condition, as described in the Epilogue?

8. What are the guidelines the Committee must follow regarding withdrawing life support, as set forth by Randy in Chapter 25?

9. What does Dr. Butler tell Kenny, in Chapter 23, regarding Landon's condition and treatment?

10. What are the other two hospitals in Houston?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Ethics Committee has strict rules regarding when it is appropriate to withdraw a patient's life support. Do you agree with the rules and standards they have? Why or why not? Do you believe it is ever appropriate to withdraw life support from a patient? Why or why not? If you were the family of one of the patients at Hermann, what would you have done, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Claire Sparks blames herself for Landon's condition, because he was conceived as the result of years of fertility treatments. Are fertility treatments safe for mother and baby? Do you think that the fertility treatments had an adverse effect on Landon's health? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Belkin mentions that elder care is a great burden on the medical system, and some have suggested that care be rationed to the elderly. How do you feel about this suggestion? Is it a financially practical option for the health care system? Why or why not? Why is it such a controversial idea? What would the benefits and drawbacks of such a system be? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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This section contains 882 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample