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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 Yakov when Aleksei is led behind the blue door in Chapter 19?

2. What does Abby say is the worst time of the day in Chapter 20?

3. Why does Victor Voss remove the wildflowers Nina Voss has been admiring in her sick room in Chapter 18?

4. What does Mark accuse Abby of in Chapter 17?

5. Why is the cook irritated when Yakov and Aleksei visit him in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Yakov dislike Nadiya?

2. Why is Abby's locker searched in Chapter 13? What is found?

3. Where does Abby go to find answers on Kunstler and Hennessy? Who sees her there and chases her down for a discussion?

4. How does Abby gain access to medical records of heart transplant patients in Chapter 17? For what reason?

5. Why does Helen Lewis from NEOB call Abby? What does she tell Abby?

6. What story does Abby tell Katzka and Lundquist in Chapter 18? Do they believe her?

7. Of whom does Yakov dream in Chapter 14? What does she look like?

8. What really happens behind the blue door in Chapter 19?

9. How does Mary Allen die? Who pronounces her death?

10. What complaints does Elaine's mother-in-law make about her method of grieving in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the overall lesson and/or controversy of this novel. This novel discusses some very important moral questions about modern medicine. Discuss what these moral questions are and how they are addressed in this novel. Cite examples or offer quotes from the novel to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of the novel in detail, including discussion about each of the following:

1) Bayside Hospital

2) Massachusetts General Hospital

3) Boston

4) The freight ship.

Essay Topic 3

Abby is accused of medical malpractice several times in this novel. What is malpractice? What is someone claiming Abby did wrong? Why does Mary Allen's niece not want her aunt to get morphine? What is Abby overheard saying about administering morphine to Mary Allen? Why does Abby become angry and abusive toward the niece when she objects to the administration of morphine? Did Abby want to kill Mary Allen? What benefit would Abby get from killing Mary Allen? Why is Abby accused of this murder? What evidence is there? What is the end result of this evidence?

(see the answer keys)

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