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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. Besides his family, what was the only thing that Lusa's grandfather brought to the United States from Poland?

2. What business is Lusa interested in starting?

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

4. Why is Garnett sad?

5. What are Lusa's brothers-in-law going to plant?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Deanna ended up as a forest ranger, studying coyotes?

2. In Chapter 11, Deanna and Eddie are talking about who built Deanna's cabin. Explain the Walker family and their influence on the land in this area.

3. What is Garnett's basic persona, when we first get to know him?

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

5. What does Garnett warn Lusa about, when she wants to place an ad for goats?

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

7. What does Nannie need to do to keep her organic farming certification valid?

8. Do you think Eddie respects Deanna?

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

10. Why does Eddie make Deanna nervous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Farmers and ranchers have long been at odds with conservationists, who believe in protecting predators. Give one example from the book to defend each side of the controversy. Do you feel that we, as a society, have an obligation to protect all species, in order to keep the eco-system intact? On the other hand, do we have an obligation to ourselves and our families to protect what is ours, in order to sustain our own existence?

Essay Topic 2

Although we never meet the character, Garnett Sheldon Walker IV, we learn about him from conversations in the novel. Describe the character, based on conversations of Garnett (his father) and Jewel. What was his upbringing like? How did his parents treat him? What did he do to warrant having to leave town and to be disowned by his father? How did he treat Jewel and the children? What are their opinions of him?

Essay Topic 3

Barbara Kingsolver is a biologist originally from Kentucky, with a home in southern Appalachia. Discuss what you believe to be her intention in writing this book. Did she mean for there to be a deeper meaning to the book other than ordinary fiction? Is it merely coincidence that she writes about a place and subjects that she is well versed in? Do you believe that she is trying to sway your opinion in areas such as eco-systems, hunting, or tobacco? Give precise reasons for your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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