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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. How old is the main character?

2. How does the main character feel about his/her body?

3. Which capacity of the main character is enhanced by his/her disability?

4. What additional form of memory can people with Jimmie G.'s disorder lose?

5. What is the name of the main character mentioned in the postscript?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does A. R. Luria advise Sacks to present case histories as stories? What aspect of his stories does Sacks focus on as a result?

2. To what degree does Sachs see himself as a novelist? And to what degree does he see himself as a scientist?

3. What is Witty Ticcy Ray's treatment? Why doesn't he like it at first? How does he cope with it?

4. What is proprioception? What does losing it prevent you from doing?

5. What central feature of all humans is Sacks worried that Jimmie lacks? Why is Sacks so worried? And what alleviates his worry?

6. How does Sacks see the theme of 'what science leaves out' play into the chapter? What does he thinks this leaves out?

7. What is Natasha K's affliction? What is its cause? How does it affect her? Does she like it or dislike it?

8. What is the main character's disorder? Which capacity does it diminish? Which capacity does it enhance?

9. What is the twins' unique ability? In what venues do they use it? Does it give them intelligence in other areas?

10. To what extent can William escape his affliction? Which activities allow him to escape it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Witty Ticcy Ray's condition and his ultimate choice to take his medication during the week and go off of them on the weekends. Is this a wise decision or not? Spell out your answer in detail. Make sure to give arguments for your position.

Essay Topic 2

Outline what you believe to be one main theme of Sacks' book. For instance, how does he treat his patients? You must use three examples from the book to illustrate your point. The paper must be five pages, double-spaced.

Essay Topic 3

Sacks often tries to argue that science leaves out important facets of his patients' lives. Please select two examples from the book where Sacks does this and then use the examples to discuss what you think the limits of science are in explaining the human experience, using the two cases you selected as illustration. The paper must be four pages, double spaced.

(see the answer keys)

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