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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 pilot do a stunt when Hema is flying with him?

2. How does the person who takes the twins feel about it?

3. What do ShivaMarion do to avoid flying bullets?

4. For what purpose has Eli's church been sending Matron money?

5. What happens to many of the passengers on the ship Mary Praise takes to Africa?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Marion responsible for the death of a soldier?

2. What does Marion remember about being a toddler?

3. What does Hema do about Shiva not talking, what angers Marion and what does he yell at her?

4. What is Shiva like intellectually?

5. Who does Marion run into when he gets mad at Hema and runs out of the house, and why is that person there?

6. What devastates Mary about the boat trip, and what does Dr. Stone ask her when they reach Addis Ababa? What is Mary's response to his question?

7. How does Dr. Stone find out Mary is pregnant?

8. What do the students do at the beginning of the coup, and how successful are they?

9. What happens when Dr. Stone is close to death?

10. What does Hema do with Mary, and what does she find out is the problem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Would you call the ending of "Cutting for Stone" happy? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Cutting for Stone" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why the book is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Cutting for Stone" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Cutting for Stone".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Cutting for Stone". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Cutting for Stone". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,196 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample