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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Lois's nickname?

2. What does Deanna tell Eddie is fairly rare to find in the forest?

3. Who asked Deanna how she can "live up here alone"?

4. What animal's scent does Deanna pick up in the forest?

5. What killed Garnett's chestnut trees?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Deanna equate her husband with the typical "male animal"?

2. Do you think Eddie respects Deanna?

3. What is Deanna's main defense of coyotes, concerning the killing of farm livestock?

4. Why does Deanna physically attack Eddie, in Chapter 7?

5. How does Lusa feel that the townspeople look at her, since Cole's death?

6. Why does Lusa feel that her new sisters-in-law do not like her?

7. What is Deanna's demeanor, when Eddie leaves, after staying with her for nine days?

8. What is Eddie like, at the beginning of the book and how does Deanna react to him?

9. Do you think the way the townspeople treat Lusa at Cole's wake is right?

10. Describe Sam Hill as we meet him in Chapter 13.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jewel states, "I have a girl that acts like a boy and a boy that acts like a girl". Cite specific examples from the book that prompt her to make this statement. Do you agree with her statement? Is their behavior that different from "traditional" gender behavior? Does this cause problems for them?

Essay Topic 2

The Appalachian area is seen, by some, as being "hick" or "backward". Cite three examples from the book that would support this theory. Address regional dialect, stereotypes, and character names.

Essay Topic 3

In "Prodigal Summer", Deanna finally ends her self-imposed exile, Lusa comes into her own, and Garnett learns the fine art of compromise. Choose one of these characters that you feel has the most character development throughout the novel and describe their development. Give specific examples from the book to support your choice.

(see the answer keys)

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