On the basis of the evidence from the text, mark these statements as accurate inferences, inaccurate inferences or insufficient evidence

1. The Emergency Ward where Hoffman worked catered primarily to poor people receiving public funds for their medical needs.

2. Despite technological advances, medical science often cannot do much for people suffering from disease.

3. The hospital discourages “social admissions” because such patients prevent those who really need medical care from getting a hospital bed.

4. Although Hoffman had never inserted a pacemaker, he had studied the procedure in medical school.

5. Hoffman occasionally finds it difficult not to allow his personal feelings about a patient interfere with his professional duties.

4. The author of the text compares the Emergency Ward to a theatre of war, a medieval fair etc., whereas doctors working in the EW are compared to pilots, air-traffic controllers etc. Scan the text once again and see how many other comparisons you can add to this list. Which of them do you think provides the most accurate description of the EW and its employees?

III. Follow-up activities

1. Agree or disagree: Working on the Emergency Ward of a city hospital is an exhausting, often frustrating experience.

2. Describe the work of the Emergency Ward from the point of view of a) a patient, b) a visitor, c) an intern, d) a senior.

IV. Additional tasks