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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 had Marion always been known as?

2. Why is Ghosh summoned to the palace?

3. What does the Emperor say to Matron?

4. What does Shiva do when he sees the father and barefoot girl?

5. How does Hema feel when she goes into the operating room and sees Mary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Rosina run to the palace during the beginning of the coup?

2. What confuses Hema for a moment about Gebrew's message?

3. Why are Sister Mary and Anjali on a boat,and what happens to some of the people on the boat?

4. What incident shapes Shiva to become the doctor he becomes?

5. How does Sister Mary care for Dr. Stone, and what happens while she takes care of him?

6. What does Hema realize almost instantly in the operating room, and what does she shout at Stone? What is his response?

7. 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?

8. What is Marion and Shiva's first experience with someone dying because of not getting medical care soon enough?

9. How does Hema feel about the twins after she takes them in, and why does she call Ghosh for help?

10. How does the family receive word about Mebratu's coup and what is the coup like initially?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Cutting for Stone", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Cutting for Stone". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The meeting of Genet and Marion is complex and confusing. It is unclear whether or not Genet spitefully and knowingly infected Marion with the diseases that would threaten his life, or if it is an unexpected and unfortunate side effect of a lifelong obsession. Marion's time with Genet is also disturbing because he essentially rapes Genet in his bed, forcefully having sex with her, ripping through her circumcision scars. He doesn't seem to care that Genet is bleeding all over his bed, or that he is hurting her, because he is finally claiming what he believes is his. Despite his violent reintroduction to Genet, Marion cannot stop the fantasy of being with Genet forever.

1. Do you think, knowing Genet's character, it is likely she knowingly infected Marion? Why or why not? What do you think would be her motivation for consciously infecting him? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Marion's treatment of Genet was rape? Why or why not? Would you consider it a criminal act, if not outright rape? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the problem Marion has perceiving reality in relation to Genet when he still thinks about marrying her and being with her for the rest of his life. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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