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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 poet is quoted by the author in the Introduction with the line, “Oh Lord, give each of us his own death”?

2. According to Dr. Nuland in Chapter 3, the molecules in a living organism are what?

3. Where do Sherwin B. Nuland, M.D. and his family currently live, according to the Introduction?

4. How old was the woman that the author described having operated on for early-stage breast cancer in the Introduction?

5. What is the title of Chapter 4 of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. How treatable are cardiac events, according to the author in Chapter 1?

2. What medical advances does the author cite in the study of myocardial infarction in Chapter 2?

3. What does the author write of the “mystery” and “myth” of death in the Introduction?

4. How does the author begin his Introduction? What does he say of the primary avenues leading to death in this section of the book?

5. What information does the author relate of stroke fatalities in Chapter 4? Whose assistance does he cite in this chapter?

6. What medical procedure did Dr. Nuland Perform on James McCarty? What was the outcome?

7. What medical progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, according to the author in Chapter 5?

8. When did the author encounter James McCarty? How is McCarty depicted in Chapter 1?

9. How does the author describe the metabolic changes of aging in Chapter 3?

10. What does Dr. Nuland suggest as the cause for the sense of peace that describes certain individuals who die through severe trauma in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss John Seidman’s experiences with death as discussed in Chapter 9. What did Seidman experience as he lost friends and family to AIDS and cancer? How did he describe the healing process that took place during the deaths of his loved ones? Have you experienced the death of a loved one? If so, how did your experience relate to those of Seidman?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of endorphins and their role in easing death for trauma patients as well as “near-death experiences.” Why does the author state that the theory of endorphin release after trauma has insufficient evidence for proof? How is the theory illustrated in the case study of Katie Mason?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author’s case study of the woman with breast cancer presented in the Introduction. What are the fears that are illustrated in this example regarding death? What caused the woman the greatest concern about her mother’s passing? How did Dr. Nuland address these fears?

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