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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. Who begins to taunt George with the idea of the bugs he could have caught on the boat?

2. What does McMurphy want the item in #98 for?

3. What is the color of the patients' uniforms?

4. Who does McMurphy appoint as the captain of the fishing trip?

5. Whose name is the last name of Chief Bromden?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the ways that the men begin to bond together during the fishing trip?

2. 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?

3. When the men begin to talk about McMurphy and the things he does, what does Harding remind the men of?

4. What is Nurse Ratched's reaction to the window that McMurphy breaks?

5. Why does McMurphy want a day pass from the ward?

6. What does Nurse Ratched finally do in order to begin to topple the reign of McMurphy?

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

8. What almost cancels the fishing trip altogether?

9. What does McMurphy receive from the doctor?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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)

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