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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Following his second fall, how long did Sacks wait before surgery was performed
(a) Two hours.
(b) Three hours.
(c) Half an hour.
(d) Eight hours.

2. Why is the phrase "uneventful recovery" misleading?
(a) Recovery is the greatest event of the patient's life.
(b) Recovery has no relationship to events.
(c) The phrase implies a peaceful recovery, which is never possible.
(d) Recovery is actually a series of events.

3. According to Head, when dealing with body alienation, what is of "fundamental importance" (Chapter Seven, pg 200)?
(a) A clear chronology.
(b) A detailed description of the medical circumstances.
(c) An understanding of the factors involved in recovery.
(d) A thorough understanding of the emotions involved.

4. How did one of the surgical registrars refer to being a patient?
(a) As an opportunity.
(b) As a test of patience.
(c) As a long trek into the light.
(d) As a pilgrimage.

5. Once he began walking again, what time had arrived for Sacks?
(a) The time for great changes.
(b) The time for community.
(c) The time for thinking.
(d) The time for doing.

6. What was Sacks's general opinion about the patients in the convalescent home?
(a) None of them had as compelling a story as he did.
(b) They were all smarter than the doctors.
(c) They were pretty knowledgeable about the world and their places in it.
(d) They were generally stupid and clueless.

7. What advantage did the mystics and metaphysical poets offer?
(a) Deep expressions of despair.
(b) Hope without a specific religion.
(c) Beautiful language to express hope.
(d) Vivid pictures of the abstract concepts which Sacks sought.

8. Why did Sacks sit looking out the window for hours on end?
(a) He was realizing how cut off from life he was.
(b) He was starved to look at anything green.
(c) He was eager to see other people.
(d) He was tired of his hospital room.

9. In Montaigne's words, who is a true doctor?
(a) The man who has experienced every illness he wants to cure.
(b) The man who can sympathize with his patients.
(c) The man who also understands art.
(d) The man who sees his patients as people rather than as problems.

10. In the quote about patient waiting, why must the person not think?
(a) He must combine love and thought.
(b) He is not strong enough for thought.
(c) He is not ready for thought.
(d) He must combine hope and thought.

11. What was the name of the convalescent home where Sacks recovered?
(a) Because he is caught up in the intricacies of his disease.
(b) Because his frame of reference has also shrunk.
(c) Because his mental faculties are not engaged in the world around him.
(d) Because, if he has strong familial support, the world's shrinking does not matter.

12. To what does Einstein compare creating a new theory?
(a) Tearing down a house to build a skyscraper.
(b) Climbing a mountain.
(c) Building a skyscraper.
(d) Rediscovering the world.

13. How many days did Sacks spend in his small hospital room?
(a) Thirty.
(b) Twelve.
(c) Eight.
(d) Twenty.

14. While under the spinal anesthesia, how did Sacks perceive his body?
(a) His feet were far away.
(b) His body was very thin.
(c) He had no upper half.
(d) He terminated in the middle.

15. Previous to his accident, how did Sacks think things were accomplished in the world?
(a) By external impetus.
(b) By love and understanding.
(c) By sheer willpower.
(d) By reason and will.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sacks had written to Luria explaining his accident and the subsequent alienation he felt. What was Luria's response?

2. Once the cast was removed, Sacks gingerly touched his leg. How did it feel?

3. What was the oddest thing that happened while Sacks's shoulder and arm were in a cast?

4. At what moment did Sacks's leg "return" to his body?

5. How has Sacks always liked to think of himself?

(see the answer keys)

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