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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Pico do as soon as he arrives home?

2. What should have been a warning to Amabelle's father that it was too dangerous to cross the river?

3. What is the "farming of the bones"?

4. What vocation was Juana preparing for when she met Luis?

5. Where does Papi go when Senora Valencia goes into labor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of the novel's title. Be sure to include:

1) A definition of "the farming of bones."

2) The variety of meanings that the phrase takes on in the novel (beyond it's literal meaning).

3) What the phrase represents about Amabelle's life.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes The Farming of Bones explores is the role of family. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The Farming of Bones looks at the relationship between the personal (i.e., love, friendships, family) and the political (i.e., government, military, nationalism). Discuss what the novel says about:

1) The relationship between the two. Are they always the same or different? Why?

2) What influences the personal? What else influences the political?

3) What impact do the two have on each other? Is it positive or negative? Why? Can the two co-exist happily? Why or why not?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Then comment on the novel's view points. Do you agree or disagree with what the novel says about the relationship between the personal and the political? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 349 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample