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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 does Genet ask Marion to do?

2. What does the person who comes to the house want to know?

3. Why doesn't Marion beat Genet?

4. How do the rich hospitals collect organs from Marion's hospital?

5. What is the chief surgical resident's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Marion meet because of her baby, what does he do with her and what is her response?

2. What does Stone tell Marion about how he ended up in Africa?

3. How does Marion finally end up having sex with Genet, and what does she do after they are together?

4. How does Marion find out about Shiva's sex life, and what does Shiva tell him when confronted about it?

5. How does Marion meet Stone?

6. What does the famous doctor suggest to Deepak?

7. What does Stone do after Marion lets him know how he feels?

8. How does Marion feel when Genet returns, and why does Rosina complain?

9. What does Rosina do about Genet's sex drive and what happens as the result of that action?

10. What do the nurses ask Marion to do when Popsy enters the operating room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Cutting for Stone" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Cutting for Stone"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Cutting for Stone" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marion and Shiva. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Genet and Tsige. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Cutting for Stone" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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