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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Kahneman say are our two selves?
(a) Experiencing and remembering.
(b) Desiring and regretting.
(c) Planning and executing.
(d) Grieving and longing.

2. What was the first place Gawande’s father wanted his ashes scattered?
(a) Cleveland Ohio.
(b) Athens, Ohio.
(c) New York city.
(d) Sacramento, California.

3. What was Thomas’ first project when he arrived at Chase?
(a) To introduce dogs and cats.
(b) To bring in children and relatives.
(c) To examine each resident and review their medical file.
(d) To give each resident house plants.

4. How does Gawande characterize the people who spend the last days of their life in the ICU?
(a) A tragedy.
(b) A malpractice.
(c) A failure.
(d) A crime.

5. How does Gawande say he answered when his patient’s family asked if his patient was dying?
(a) He could not answer.
(b) He could not bring himself to tell the truth.
(c) He could only explain all the variables.
(d) He lied and said no.

6. What does Jewel Douglas say is her lifeblood?
(a) Holding her grandchildren.
(b) Holding her husband.
(c) Eating good food.
(d) Seeing friends.

7. How does Gawande characterize “the average of a life’s moments” (238)?
(a) Mostly nothing plus some sleep.
(b) Bothers and irritations punctuated by meals.
(c) A lot of ennui with nice sunsets thrown in.
(d) One or two exceptional experiences with a lot of drudgery.

8. What does Gawande say changed Bill Thomas’ life to raise his expectations?
(a) A sports scholarship.
(b) A chance discussion with a family friend.
(c) High marks on a college prep test.
(d) An impromptu interview with a college admissions officer.

9. What does Gawande say is the priority for hospice care?
(a) To extend life.
(b) To wrap up a life.
(c) Help people have the fullest lives possible.
(d) To provide peace and comfort.

10. Where had Thomas worked before Chase Memorial?
(a) A farm.
(b) An ER.
(c) A family practice.
(d) A urology unit.

11. What does Gawande say is most important about the end of Jewel Douglas’ story?
(a) It was brief.
(b) She decided how it would go.
(c) She was alert to the end.
(d) It was painless.

12. How many people were assigned to each “pod” at the New Bridge assisted living facility?
(a) 22.
(b) 18.
(c) 12.
(d) 16.

13. What does Gawande say Jewel Douglas’ death showed him?
(a) That sometimes doing nothing is better.
(b) That we are not powerless in the end.
(c) That dignity in death takes a lot of work and planning.
(d) That family is important in dying.

14. What value did Thomas espouse in running his farm?
(a) Stewardship.
(b) Self-reliance.
(c) Sustainability.
(d) Efficiency.

15. What is the typical requirement for a patient to enter hospice care?
(a) A terminal diagnosis.
(b) Chronic pain.
(c) Running out of private funding for a nursing home.
(d) A life expectancy under six months.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Gawande’s father make Gawande promise him?

2. What does Gawande say the surgeon at his hospital recommended for his father’s tumor?

3. How does Gawande characterize the effect of introducing animals to Chase Memorial?

4. How many spoonfuls of Ganges water did Gawande drink, as part of his father’s funeral service?

5. What does Gawande say a person is assured of, if their ashes touch the Ganges River?

(see the answer keys)

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