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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. Why does the class get broken?

2. What does the Chief vow not to do?

3. What does Nurse Ratched use to begin to take down McMurphy?

4. How much did the men have to chip in each for the boat rent?

5. What are the first words the Chief has spoken in years?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does McMurphy do as they are preparing and performing the electroshock therapy on him?

2. What is the first rebellious act that Chief Broom commits?

3. What almost cancels the fishing trip altogether?

4. What does Billy maintain in terms of his opinion of McMurphy?

5. What is the story that McMurphy shares with Chief Broom?

6. What has Chief Bromden been believing about McMurphy?

7. What does the nurse do when the basketball 'accidentally' breaks the nurse's station window again?

8. What does McMurphy do to Chief Bromden that makes the Chief upset about McMurphy always 'winning things'?

9. What does McMurphy do when the night attendants come to Chief Broom's bed?

10. During the going away party, they don't really have a plan for not getting caught, so Harding steps in. What does he propose they do?

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

Solitary confinement seems like one of the most horrible ways to be punished. It's used in prisons and in mental wards, after all. Why do you think this has been used as a tool of punishment for so long? Do you think it's effective? Why or why not? Are there certain people who benefit more from this seclusion than others? Why or why not? Is there a better way to punish someone?

Essay Topic 3

Chief Bromden is an interesting character in this story. Not only has he been in the ward for a long time, but he is also the one responsible for narrating the story. Pretending to be deaf and mute, he has access to more information than the other characters in the story. Why do you think Chief Broom, as he comes to be known, has pretended for so long? Why does he feel safe talking to McMurphy eventually? Do you think the staff knew of his charade? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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