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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 Nurse Ratched give to Chief Bromden to calm him?

2. Who said that he would never make his mark as the head man of the crappers?

3. Who says the men are not brave men like McMurphy is?

4. What does Nurse Ratched fear the men will think of McMurphy if he is sent away?

5. How many people vote for the World Series on the second vote?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Chief describe the days in the ward?

3. What does McMurphy see as his ticket out of the mental ward?

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

5. What causes Nurse Ratched to fly into a rage at the start of the novel?

6. Which patients are the ones whose brains have been altered beyond repair from shock therapy and tranquilizers?

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

8. Why does Chief Bromden understand the sudden shift in McMurphy's behavior?

9. How could Billy Bibbit be described?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The rumors that Nurse Ratched spreads are a part of a passive aggressive strategy to undermine McMurphy's authority in the ward. Do you think these rumors were the best possible plan? Why or why not? What other things could she have done to create a soured image of McMurphy? Why do you think Nurse Ratched prefers more subtle methods of manipulation?

Essay Topic 2

This novel is often seen as a scathing review of mental health in the United States, and in this sense, it's quite timeless. Though facilities have changed, do you think this novel presents an accurate representation of mental health facilities today? Why or why not? What things seem like they would never happen in today's world? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The many rebellions against Nurse Ratched show the characters' ability to take action when they want to, but are these rebellions the best idea? Why or why not? What are the benefits of these rebellions? What are the downsides? Can you think of any other way the characters could have dealt with the nurse's manipulations?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 701 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample