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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. Why does the thermometer break when Bridie puts it in boiling water?

2. Who is Julia Power’s ward nurse, whom she replaces?

3. Why is it important for a birthing mother to lay on her left side, rather than her right?

4. What does Dr. Prendergast prescribe for Ita to calm her?

5. If Dr. Lynn were in charge of the world, what would not happen before the age of 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Julia become the acting ward sister?

2. Why does Julia believe that Dr. Lynn is coming into the hospital to help out of the kindness of her heart?

3. How does Julia feel about her own physical appearance after Delia’s delivery? Why might she feel this way?

4. How does Julia describe what she calls a “weird malady?”

5. What are two examples given at the beginning of "Red" that there is disease in the city?

6. Why does Julia count herself lucky, regarding the pandemic?

7. Julia is contemplative on her commute home from the hospital in "Brown." Of what does she think?

8. What are two ways that Julia checks vital signs?

9. What does Tim do to surprise Julia for her birthday? How does this affect her and why?

10. Describe the makeshift shrine that Julia passes in "Red."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The young surgeon, Dr. MacAuliffe, returns in Blue. Again, he is seen as inexperienced and rough in his handling of the patients. What might this say about the medical profession at this time? How does he differ from Julia, Bridie and Dr. Lynn? Why might there be such a discrepancy between these various medical professionals and hospital staff?

Essay Topic 2

From where does the name influenza come? What is the significance of this? How does this term, its meaning, and events in the story change Julia’s view of free will and fate?

Essay Topic 3

Along with medical knowledge of the early twentieth century, there are several mentions of old wives' tales regarding medical care. Give two examples and describe what Julia thinks of them. Why might they continue with these antiquated practices?

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This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample