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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. The author discusses the importance of whose "OncoMouse?"

2. The third camp, of ________________ successors, stood at the farthest periphery.

3. The gene, the SRC gene, is also known as the sarc, short for what?

4. On the last day of their time as a solid unit, the group began to do what?

5. The study of _________viruses is discussed.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is meant by a "Risky Prediction?"

2. Why was Phyllis Clauson at first not believed? Is this surprising? Why or why not?

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

4. 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?

5. What problems could arise with genetic engineering?

6. Why did doctors dismiss the cancer found in chimney sweeps? How did cancer continue to be dismissed by others throughout time?

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

8. What was STAMP? How did this bring hope to those who suffered from cancer?

9. How did the tide begin to turn regarding Americans' view smoking?

10. How did the discovery of scrotal cancer help children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cancer is not the only disease discussed in this book.

Part 1) What are two other diseases discussed in this book? Describe these two diseases. What is the purpose of having these diseases discussed in this book?

Part 2) How do these diseases compare to cancer? Which disease do you find to be the most threatening to the American people? Why?

Part 3) What similarities can be found among various diseases including all that are discussed in this book? How is this important?

Essay Topic 2

James Watson is quoted as saying, "The National Cancer Institute, which has overseen American efforts on researching and combating cancers since 1971, should take on an ambitious new goal for the next decade: the development of new drugs that will provide lifelong cures for many, if not all, major cancers. Beating cancer now is a realistic ambition because, at long last, we largely know its true genetic and chemical characteristics." Part 6, p. 393

Part 1) What does this quote reveal about the mindset regarding cancer at the time? Is this a realistic mindset? Were these realistic goals? Why or why not?

Part 2) Is this the view of many today regarding cancer? Do many believe that cancer can be eradicated in the next decade? Why or why not?

Part 3) Do you believe that cancer will ever be eradicated? Why or why not? Can any disease ever be completely eradicated? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Four and five drug combinations were tested with success.

Part 1) How did researchers begin to test combinations of four and five drugs? How did many of these combinations affect patients? How did these studies lead to success?

Part 2) How did these successes affect cancer patients? How did these studies also lead to the idea of the "smiling oncologist?" How did this type of doctor affect the mindset of a patient?

Part 3) Is there a need for such an oncologist? Is that type of attitude towards cancer necessary? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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