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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. Where is John when the apartment fire happens, so he knows nothing of the event?

2. What has John brought back with him when he comes home from his business trip?

3. What did Martha find herself doing with John when she was on her own and not eating?

4. What made Martha the ideal test case patient for new nurses that were in the medical center?

5. One of Martha's classmates misinterprets her comment about _________, which shows her that she is not the only one who isn't smart enough.

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the story that Deirdre shares that is surprising like Martha's?

2. What were some of the struggles that Martha faced when she began the new semester?

3. How did Martha find out that she might not have been rescued as she thought she had?

4. Why did Martha find herself growing weaker and weaker when she was taking care of Katie on her own?

5. What happened right when John leaves for his next trip for his consulting job, so he doesn't know this has happened?

6. What did Martha and John plan to do when they were on a Christmas holiday from Harvard?

7. What happened to Martha after she begins to feel ill all day, though she ignores it?

8. What did the daycare that was closest to Harvard require in order to admit Katie to their program?

9. What did Martha begin to think of when she saw her baby for the first time on the ultrasound?

10. What were some of the accomplishments that Martha Beck lists within the context of this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though it is a holiday, John and Martha continue to work on their degrees while arguing about the holidays.

Part 1: Why do you think the holidays are a time of problems for many families?

Part 2: Do you think the Becks should have simply taken time to relax?

Part 3: What do you normally do when you are on vacation from school?

Essay Topic 2

John and Martha's relationship is strained during the problems with her pregnancy.

Part 1: Why do you think there are so many problems between John and Martha?

Part 2: Do you think John and Martha needed to get counseling to help them out?

Part 3: How do you think John and Martha could have handled their situation better?

Essay Topic 3

John begins to feel guilty that he's not closer to being done with his dissertation than he should be, according to his adviser.

Part 1: Why do you think John feels guilty about not being closer to finishing his dissertation?

Part 2: Do you think John needs to be easier on himself?

Part 3: How do you think John might want to handle the situation with his adviser and his dissertation?

(see the answer keys)

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