Girl, Interrupted

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What does Kaysen mean when she writes that “[e]very window on Alcatraz has a view of San Francisco”?

A) People who are institutionalized are always aware of life outside of the institution.

B) People outside of the institution are always aware of life inside the institution.

C) Alcatraz has a nice view so that inmates can have one way to see the outside world during their time in prison.

D) There are many windows at McLean hospital, but they do not open.

2. Why is Kaysen feeling tired when she goes to her doctor’s appointment?

A) She needs to get more exercise.

B) She wakes up earlier than usual to get to her appointment.

C) She is hungover from drinking too much.

D) She is overwhelmed with anxiety because she thinks her doctor cannot help her.

3. What is Polly like throughout her first year at McLean Hospital?

A) She is angry and emotional.

B) She is hungry but never eats anything.

C) She is stoic and often smiles.

D) She has made great progress toward recovery.

4. Why does Jim Watson visit Kaysen at McLean?

A) He wants to tell her about his Nobel Prize.

B) He wants to take her to England.

C) He wants to watch TV with her.

D) He is concerned for Kaysen’s health.

5. What happens when Kaysen accidentally pours hot caramel on Georgina’s hand?

A) Georgina screams repeatedly.

B) Kaysen screams repeatedly.

C) Georgina and Kaysen scream repeatedly.

D) Nobody makes a sound.

6. Why does Daisy eat only chicken?

A) She is allergic to most foods.

B) She is the victim of incest.

C) She is the victim of starvation.

D) She loves the taste of chicken.

7. Where does Kaysen go after swallowing 50 aspirin?

A) To break up with her boyfriend

B) To catch up on her schoolwork

C) To McLean Hospital

D) To the store to buy milk

8. Why does Kaysen feel the doctor who admits her to McLean is deceptive?

A) He lies about how long he met with her.

B) He lies about her age.

C) He lies about how long he has been a doctor.

D) He lies about how long it will take to drive to McLean.

9. How is the seclusion room in the ward at McLean used most of the time?

A) To give patients access to better food

B) To provide patients with companionship

C) To isolate difficult patients

D) To give nurses a room where they can take a break

10. Why can only some patients go to town for ice cream?

A) They are being rewarded for good behavior.

B) Their families pay more for rewards.

C) They are being punished for behaving inappropriately.

D) They need more food than the others.

11. Why does Kaysen report that there are “a lot of hairy legs” on the ward at McLean?

A) Patients are too embarrassed to shave because they have to be supervised by the nurses to use razors.

B) Patients are only allowed to shave their legs once per month.

C) Patients do not realize they need to shave their legs.

D) Patients are not allowed to use razors to shave.

12. Why is it difficult to maintain romantic relationships at McLean?

A) Patients cannot meet anyone with whom to have a relationship.

B) Patients can only talk to their romantic partners in the waiting room.

C) Patients and their romantic partners have too much privacy.

D) Patients and their romantic partners have too little privacy.

13. What reason does Kaysen give for why her therapy is unhelpful?

A) The doctors use too much confusing jargon.

B) The doctors simplify their language.

C) The doctors do not want to help patients.

D) The doctors hate their patients.

14. Why do patients at McLean grow more docile as they watch protests on TV in 1968?

A) Their joy is acted out for them by the protesters.

B) They have all been drugged by the nurses.

C) The patients know that the protesters will get in trouble.

D) Their rage is acted out for them by the protesters.

15. What happens to Melvin after Kaysen is discharged from McLean?

A) He drives a fancy car.

B) He dies by suicide.

C) He has a stroke.

D) He marries Kaysen.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Kaysen describe what happens to mental health patients when they try to reintegrate into society?

2. In what ways does Kaysen feel that the medical establishment discriminates against her for being a woman?