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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 7 — Hard Conversations.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Gawande characterize the decline of health for people with “chronic illnesses—emphysema, liver disease, and congestive heart failure”?
(a) A high line that ends abruptly.
(b) A high line that runs flat then falls quickly.
(c) A series of minor decreases in a slow decline toward death.
(d) A series of dips followed by recoveries that approach the horizontal axis of death.

2. How does Gawande say the problem of care for the sick and dying will be solved?
(a) Through mass organizing.
(b) Through legislation.
(c) Through well-publicized cases drawing public scrutiny.
(d) One person at a time.

3. How does Gawande characterize the trend among geriatrics departments in hospitals?
(a) Closing more than opening.
(b) No change from the past 30 years.
(c) Opening in more and more hospitals.
(d) Mostly closing down.

4. What does Gawande say Montaigne said about dying of old age?
(a) It is the most natural form of dying.
(b) It is the extremest form of dying.
(c) It is the cruelest form of dying.
(d) It is the kindest form of dying.

5. How does Gawande characterize the change over time in blood vessels, joints and the valves of the heart?
(a) Softening.
(b) Weakening.
(c) Stiffening.
(d) Thinning.

Short Answer Questions

1. What percent of Americans does Gawande say died at home at the end of the second World War?

2. Which finger does Gawande say has 40% of the hand’s muscles?

3. What does Gawande say led Keren Wilson to focus on assisted living facilities?

4. What does Gawande say is the greatest threat elderly people face?

5. What view does Gawande ultimately take, on the question of why we age?

(see the answer key)

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