The Doctor’s Word

By R.K Narayan
1. What does "on one's last legs" mean?
a. Very sick
b. Weak and about to die
c. Not in one's good health
d. All of the above

2. When did people come to Dr. Raman?

a. When the patient was very sick
b. When the patient had almost no hope
c. When the patient collapsed
d. When the patient had recovered a little

3. Why did Dr. Raman often burst out when he found the patient in his last breath?
a. Why wasn't he brought to him earlier
b. Why was he taken to another doctor
c. Why had the family members treated him wrong
d. Why was his condition so serious

4. What was Dr. Raman's visiting fee?

a. Twenty Rupees
b. Twenty-five Rupees
c. Thirty rupees
d. Thirty-five Rupees

5. What fact did people like to avoid?

a. That the patient had less hope
b. That the visiting fees of Dr. Raman was high
c. That Dr. Raman means death sentence
d. That the patient couldn't be saved no matter what

6. The patient's relatives always tried to avoid calling in Dr. Raman; for them there was
something _____ in the very association.
a. serious
b. unnecessary
c. threatening
d. shirking

7. So, when the big man came on the scene it was always _______.
a. the last moment
b. critical for the patient
c. a quick decision to make
d. late
8. What has long years of practice bred in the doctor?
a. Exprience to save lives
b. A certain manners of rudeness
c. A certain degree of kindness
d. A certain curt of truthfulness

9. Why was the doctor's opinion valued?

a. For his experience
b. For his kindness
c. For his truthfulness
d. For his expertise

10. Dr. Raman was not a mere doctor expressing an opinion but a/an _______.
a. judge pronouncing a verdict
b. kind man helping patients
c. expert saving lives
d. experienced consultant

11. What did the patient's life hang on?

a. Dr. Raman's experience
b. Dr. Raman's treatment
c. Dr. Raman's words
d. Dr. Raman's kindness

12. What did Dr. Raman never believe?

a. True words can save life
b. Mere words can save life
c. Agreeable words words can save life
d. God's will can save life

13. Why did Dr. Raman think that it was not any of his business to provide unnecessary hope to
the patients and their family?
a. Because they would ultimately know the truth in few hours
b. Because it was none of his business
c. Because he was not that kind hearted
d. Because it was not his duty to give people hope

14. What would Dr. Raman do if he glimpsed the faintest sign of hope?
a. Pause all other works and perform operation
b. Do whatever he could to save the patient
c. Give hope to the patient and his family
d. Prepare to fight with death
15. Why did Dr. Raman needed someone to tell him soothing lies?
a. Because his dearest friend was ill
b. Because he had lost all hope
c. Because he was heartbroken
d. `Because he knew soothing lies can save lives

16. How long had Dr. Raman and Gopal been friends?
a. Twenty years
b. Thirty-five years
c. Forty years
d. Fifty years

17. How long have Dr. Raman and Gopal been associated?
a. From their kindergarten days
b. From their nursery days
c. From their high school days
d. From their college days

18. Why couldn't Dr. Raman and Gopal meet often?

a. They had a fight
b. They didn't like each other that much
c. Being busy in their lives
d. Gopal was sick

19. How was the friendship of Dr. Raman and Gopal?

a. Happy
b. Old
c. Untouched by changing circumstances
d. Unaltered by their responsibilities

20. What would the two friends do occasionally on Sundays?

a. Watch a picture
b. Dine together
c. Talk about their lives
d. All of the above