View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Native American history shows how other cultures have come to see their race as ____________.

2. Alvord's grandmother _________ understands the complexities of living two lives, as she comes from a mixed background.

3. Alvord believes that patient _______ are dehumanizing and inharmonious, according to her description.

4. Who tells Carolyn that the cancer is her fault, according to the description in this section of the book?

5. As a child, Alvord often has to decide whether to play with the _________ or the whites in their neighborhood and schools.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the background of Alvord's parents which makes her distinctly capable of working within two worlds of thought?

2. Who has an alcohol problem, which leads Alvord to see alcoholism as a disease?

3. Why are end of life decisions difficult for many Navajos to make, according to Alvord's observations?

4. What does Alvord think about patient histories and how they describe the patients?

5. What was the background of one of Alvord's grandfathers, which allows her grandmother to understand Alvord's conflict?

6. What does Alvord have to do as a child growing up that causes her to choose between her heritages?

7. What are the Navajo discouraged from doing in order to become more humble?

8. What does Alvord seek to treat when she is managing her patients, a way that develops over time?

9. What are some of the roles that a woman may play within the matriarchal society of the Navajo?

10. What kind of job does Alvord have when she is fourteen and living on the reservation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Navajo believe the cancer is something that is caused by a bad deed or an evil action.

Part 1: Do you believe the cancer might be partially caused by an action or an emotion?

Part 2: How do you think science shows that cancer is caused by evil actions?

Part 3: Do you think that cancer is something of which to be frightened today?

Essay Topic 2

Alvord has troubles with dissecting a cadaver as the Navajo believe the dead should not be touched.

Part 1: Why do you think it is not respectful to touch the dead, according to the Navajo tradition?

Part 2: Do you think Alvord should have dissected the cadaver anyway?

Part 3: What might you have done if you were in Alvord's position?

Essay Topic 3

Alvord's mother was unlike other Navajo mothers, encouraging her daughters to want more in life.

Part 1: Do you think it's a good idea to encourage children to want more out of life?

Part 2: Why do you think the Navajo do not encourage children to want more from life?

Part 3: How do you feel about wanting more out of your own life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample