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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. Where does the staff want to send McMurphy?

2. Who is the narrator of this story?

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

4. What does McMurphy say he will do to break out of the ward?

5. What do the men do for an entire week when the World Series is supposed to be on?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Nurse Ratched tells the men about their punishment (as described in the answer to #28), what does McMurphy declare out loud?

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

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

4. How will the men be punished for the rebellious behavior they exhibited during the World Series?

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

6. What has McMurphy's rebellious spirit caused the men of the ward to begin to do?

7. 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?

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

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

10. What is the cleaning crew of the mental hospital called?

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 nurses in the story run the gamut of nice to downright mean and manipulative. Is there a better nursing style in relation to these patients? Why did you answer the way you did? Choose one nurse character as the ideal nurse for this ward. Why did you choose this nurse? Do you think Nurse Ratched's style is well suited for this ward? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Randle McMurphy comes into the ward like a madman - which is interesting enough, given the circumstances. However, he's not crazy, at least, the reader isn't lead to believe so. However, at times, it does seem like he is someone that could benefit from therapy and even medications. Do you think McMurphy should be in the ward? Why or why not? Do you feel he needs professional help? Why or why not? Do you think McMurphy believes he needs any help at all? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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