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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 oozing out of the church walls?

2. Why does the coyote like Nannie's orchard?

3. In Chapter 28, what Garnett thinks is a stranger by Nannie's garden, turns out to be what?

4. What insect does not eat plants?

5. What has killed all the baby phoebes?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Lusa respond to Little Rickie's invitation to have sex?

3. In Chapter 23, what are Garnett and Nannie's differing views on old age?

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

5. In Chapter 17, what remark does Nannie make that causes Garnett to wonder if he may have been responsible for his wife's death?

6. In Chapter 30, Lusa is finally beginning to feel like what?

7. How does Garnett embarrass himself in Chapter 28?

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

9. What does Hannie-Mavis tell Lusa is the real reason that Cole's family does not seem to embrace her?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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.

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