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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. In Chapter 20, what does Nannie say that Mary Edna has?

2. When telling people about her plans, Lusa says that she is going to do what?

3. What insect does not eat plants?

4. According to Nannie, there is nothing as important as having what?

5. What has killed all the baby phoebes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What secret does Lusa tell Crys, in Chapter 21?

2. Why does Deanna think that falling trees will never crush her cabin?

3. What is the "decrease predator - increase prey" concept that Deanna tries to explain to Eddie in Chapter 19?

4. In Chapter 16, why is Deanna embarrassed when Jerry brings her supplies?

5. Garnett has previously ignored his doctor's suggestion to have cataract surgery but is now reconsidering. Why?

6. Why is Deanna anxious about Eddie reading her thesis?

7. In Chapter 19, Deanna is exhibiting what symptoms that causes Eddie to think that she is anemic and Deanna to think she is menopausal?

8. In Chapter 18, Lusa spends quality time with Crys. What are some things that she finds out about her?

9. What does the snake, leaving the cabin, symbolize for Deanna, in Chapter 22?

10. What does Garnett tell Nannie is the reason that he will not reach out to his son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Prodigal Summer", we read of the departures of various people. Choose one of the following people: the father of Jewel's children, Cole, Eddie. Discuss the effects that their departure has had on others. What are the short-term and long-term effects? What might have been different, had they stayed? Are others better off for them having left?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Eddie Bondo is portrayed as a character that is easy to distrust. Citing examples from the book, discuss what you think his true character is. Has he been accurately portrayed? Would you consider him a good person or not? What are Deanna's expectations of him? Did this have an effect on how you viewed him?

(see the answer keys)

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