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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. What does Harding have that no other patient has?

2. Harding and McMurphy banter to decide who the biggest ______________ is in the hospital.

3. What is McMurphy supposed to be doing during the time in #46?

4. For whom did Chief Bromden's father make the decision he did in #65?

5. What does Nurse Ratched reprimand McMurphy for not letting the aides do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes McMurphy's mind about the way he has been acting on the ward?

2. How could the patients of the ward be described?

3. Why doesn't Nurse Ratched want McMurphy sent to the Disturbed ward?

4. What is the punishment for the men after the incident in #3 takes place?

5. While the men understand McMurphy's change in behavior, what tragic event occurs that makes the ward go back to its normal routine?

6. Why is Chief Bromden allowed to be in the meeting room when Nurse Ratched and the other members of the medical team are having a meeting?

7. What is the most surprising thing that McMurphy learns as they are waiting to be tested for TB?

8. Why does the shaving of his head upset Chief Bromden?

9. Who is described as being alert and chipper, unlike other new admissions?

10. How does McMurphy try to help Harding after the Group Meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nurse Ratched runs the ward with a briskness and calmness that in enviable in many ways. However, this lack of feeling also seems to create a higher likelihood of manipulating others for her own gain. That said, do you feel Nurse Ratched might do well to have some time in a mental ward herself? Why or why not? What are her main power issues and communication issues which need to be altered in order for her to live a more loving life?

Essay Topic 2

The story of McMurphy's childhood years shows the reader that he was not always as strong as he now is, that he had to learn that the only person who would take care of him was himself. Do you agree with this statement? Do you think this is a healthy mental state to live in or an unhealthy mindset? Why or why not? If McMurphy hadn't been ignored as a child, do you think he would have figured out the lesson on his own? Or do people need something horrible to happen before they can learn some lessons? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

McMurphy is certainly the ringleader of many an uprising in the ward, but he's not the only one with aspirations to rebel. Why do you think the rest of the ward is silent in their treatment in the ward? What makes them fear Nurse Ratched so much? Why doesn't McMurphy fear Nurse Ratched? Do you think the other patients would have rebelled without McMurphy's stay at the ward? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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