View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When did Vivian lose her hair?
(a) She shaved her head before she began chemotherapy.
(b) It is still falling out.
(c) Between the fourth and fifth cycles of chemotherapy.
(d) After the first cycle of chemotherapy.

2. What does Vivian describe as “mildly uncomfortable” in Scene 5?
(a) The first two days of a treatment cycle.
(b) An electrocardiogram.
(c) A chest x-ray.
(d) A proctosigmoidoscopy.

3. Who did Vivian study Donne under?
(a) Posner.
(b) Ashford.
(c) Kelekian.
(d) Bearing.

4. What was Vivian's principal task during her time with Ashford?
(a) Responding to fan mail.
(b) Alphabetizing index cards.
(c) Grading freshman essays.
(d) Organizing manuscripts.

5. What does Vivian say she is learning to do during her course of chemotherapy treatment?
(a) To suffer.
(b) To survive.
(c) To be patient.
(d) To sleep.

6. What food does Susie offer Vivian?
(a) Jell-O.
(b) Soup.
(c) A Popsicle.
(d) A slushie.

7. How does Vivian understand the poem, as explained by Ashford?
(a) A puzzle.
(b) Uncompromising.
(c) Truth.
(d) Wit.

8. How much does Vivian vomit in Scene 5?
(a) Several ounces.
(b) A "bucketload."
(c) 300 cc's.
(d) "Less than it feels like."

9. What author does Vivian quote at the end of Scene 1?
(a) William Shakespeare.
(b) William Wordsworth.
(c) John Keats.
(d) John Donne.

10. How would Vivian tell her students to think of her situation?
(a) As irony.
(b) As wit.
(c) As a puzzle.
(d) As allusion.

11. How many visitors has Vivian had since arriving at the hospital?
(a) Only a few.
(b) Several.
(c) None.
(d) Enough to fill a lecture hall.

12. Who takes Vivian's medical history in Scene 4?
(a) A technician.
(b) Susie.
(c) Kelekian.
(d) Jason.

13. What fruit is the same size as Vivian's tumor?
(a) Kiwi.
(b) Apple.
(c) Lemon.
(d) Grapefruit.

14. What question does Vivian discuss in her opening monologue?
(a) “How are you feeling today?”
(b) “Does that sound good?”
(c) “Do you have any questions?”
(d) “Do you understand?”

15. How long does each cycle take to complete?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) Three weeks.
(c) One week.
(d) One month.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sonnet is Vivian's paper about that must be done over?

2. How does Vivian think her colleagues would honor her memory?

3. When does Scene 6 open?

4. What does Vivian think would be a great loss to her discipline?

5. What is the definition of the word Vivian struggles with as she reads on her birthday?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 417 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample