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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 comes to the house the day of the execution?

2. What happens with Genet as the result of Rosina's action?

3. About what does Rosina complain regarding Genet?

4. What does Marion do when Genet shows up at his door?

5. Why was Ghosh brought to the prison?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Genet in America, and why does Marion not beat her?

4. What does the famous doctor suggest to Deepak?

5. Where does Marion go when he arrives in New York and how is he surprised there?

6. What does Deepak do that attracts the interest of a visiting surgeon?

7. When are the family allowed to visit Ghosh in prison and what does he tell them?

8. How is Marion's life saved after he becomes critically ill?

9. What happens when Popsy tries to operate during Marion's first surgery?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Cutting for Stone" belongs to fictional memoir genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fictional memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fictional memoir and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

It is highly symbolic that the blood vessels that once connected Shiva and Marion as one body are the ones to explode, ultimately killing Shiva. After Shiva's death, however, Marion feels like order is restored, that he and Shiva truly are one body again, and he even begins using the word "we" instead of "I" in this first-person narration.

1. Discuss in depth the symbolism of the blood vessels that connected Shiva and Marion killing him. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Shiva would have undergone the surgery if he had known ahead of time that he would die? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Marion's attitude towards Genet and his thought that he and his twin are one again following Shiva's death may indicate he has some form of delusional thinking. Discuss the possibilities of this statement. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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