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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a bane to sheep and cattle herders throughout the American Southwest?
(a) Dry waterholes.
(b) Cacti.
(c) Cat's Claw Acacias.
(d) Rattlesnakes.

2. Why is Joanna reluctant to climb off the ledge when Bernie thinks it is safe?
(a) She is afraid of Chandler.
(b) She still sees water on the floor.
(c) She can't swim.
(d) She is afraid of heights.

3. Why does Chee call the Park Service?
(a) For a rescue helicopter.
(b) To tell them they will not be climbing out that day as planned.
(c) To tell them they have found a body.
(d) To ascertain their position.

4. What is Chandler's reply?
(a) Joanna might become dangerous if she has her gun.
(b) He hands her a gun.
(c) The woman obviously does not have a gun or she would have stopped them already.
(d) She can use her charm to convince the woman not to hurt them.

5. At whom is Chee staring?
(a) Joe Leapman.
(b) Bernie.
(c) Cowboy Dashee.
(d) Joanna.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is prohibited in the Park Service boundaries?

2. What does Bernie ask Joanna?

3. What is Chandler planning as he spots Joanna?

4. What are other significant finds that Bernie makes?

5. For what does Joanna ask before searching for Bernie?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hillerman emphasize his attitude towards the "white man"?

2. In Chapter 16, the reader learns more about the Hopi legend of the Skeleton Man, for which the book is named; what is this legend?

3. What do you think Joanna's decision to continue down to the canyon floor indicates?

4. Do you think the scene of Bernie finding the diamonds and arm is anti-climatic and why?

5. In Chapter 21, why do you think Chee is alarmed that none of the tracks comes back out of the canyon?

6. What seems surprising in this story at this point in the book?

7. How does Chee view the Colorado river?

8. How does Chandler unconsciously give away his intentions in the scene where he and Joanna discover the snuff cans?

9. How is Bernie's assurance about Chandler highly ironic in the scheme of the history of Native Americans?

10. When the old Hopi woman warns Bernie that she shouldn't be there, the woman then warms up to her; why do you think this is?

(see the answer keys)

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