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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Did those two oncogenes perform as expected?
(a) Yes.
(b) Almost.
(c) Somewhat.
(d) No.

2. The Ministry asked the Medical Research Council to arrange a conference of experts to study the rise of lung cancer. How were the results?
(a) Somewhat conclusive.
(b) Conclusive.
(c) Very conclusive.
(d) Mixed and not even remotely conclusive.

3. How was this letter first seen?
(a) As a surprise.
(b) As a nuisance.
(c) As a wonderful find.
(d) As a hoax.

4. Geneticists needed to learn what?
(a) To "see" the gene in a new way.
(b) To "find" the gene.
(c) To "hunt" the virus' gene.
(d) To "track" the gene in a new way.

5. Mukherjee discusses the links between what?
(a) Various types of cancer.
(b) Various types of genes.
(c) Various types of leukemia.
(d) Various types of chemotherapy drugs.

Short Answer Questions

1. A "Risky prediction" is a term coined by who?

2. Einar produced the __________ uniform he had been given and had worn to every treatment.

3. Scientists begin to analyze genes that were altered in mutant viruses and attempted to isolate what?

4. What question arose from the study of these two genes?

5. Phyllis Clauson said she felt that the world needed to know what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the similarities between AIDS and cancer? Is this important? Why or why not?

2. Who were virologists?

3. What is the role of a laboratory scientist? What type of people are suited for this work?

4. How does Carla say she survived? Is this valid? Why or why not?

5. Who was Oscar Auerbach? What role did he play in connecting lung cancer to tobacco? Was he a good choice? Why or why not?

6. Why did the author end the book with Germaine's story? Is this a good ending? Why or why not?

7. How does the cure for cancer parallel the story of Achilles?

8. What was the oncomouse? Was this successful? Why or why not?

9. What are two reasons why studies into the connection between lung cancer and tobacco were inconclusive?

10. Mukherjee discusses the successes of others in this story. Why does he credit the survival of patients to the work of those in the 1950s and 1960s?

(see the answer keys)

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