THE CHOICE

1. What is the "choice" referred to in the title?
The choice in this essay is the choice they give their daughter. Whether to drink the "poison" willingly, or whether the parents need to force her to drink it.
2. Is it a real choice?  Why/why not?  What is the alternative?
This choice is not really a choice at all. First, she has to drink the medicine either way. Secondly, the alternative is she dies if she doesn't take it.
3. Why does the author use the word poison in the first line?
The word poison adds a lot of emotion to the article. By appealing to emotion in the first line, the author has the reader hooked from the beginning.
4. The author's daughter wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids.  Why?  Do you agree with her?  
She wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids because she says she will not live to be that age. I agree with the fact that she has to play with it. Everyone should have something they have to do before they die.
5. If you thought you might not live to the age of 30 what would you want to do right now?
Right now, I would want to do things I have always been scared of doing. I would want to accomplish many big things in my terms.
6. Under what circumstances does it make sense to endure discomfort--or even force it on a loved one-- in service to a greater/more important cause?
I think it always makes sense until they are old enough (in her case) and wise enough to make the decision of whether they want to keep fighting and potentially suffer, or give up.
7. Is suffering a necessary condition of life and love?
Suffering is a necessary condition of life and love because through experiences which cause suffering, an individual may view things different, or become wiser in some way, or even become stronger as a person from this suffering.
8. Most readers don't share the author's circumstances, but we feel an emotional response to his words.  Why? 
Many feel emotion to his words because this girl is so young and hasn't had the opportunity to really enjoy life to its fullest. Also, in many cases, reader's can relate.