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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. Who tells a story to support Joe's theory?

2. What do Sherman and Chandler think will be easier than finding John Craig's arm?

3. What is Brad Chandler doing?

4. What does Chandler learn about Joanna?

5. Who is Hal Simmons?

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems to be a likely foreshadowing of a coming event?

2. How does Hillerman use the story of the cat in Chapter 6 for more than one purpose?

3. At the beginning of Chapter 1, what is there that would clue the reader in on the possibility that this book will be based upon a flashback to an earlier date?

4. At this point in the story, do you believe it when Joanna says that she seeks only her father's arm to end his pain in the afterlife and is not interested in the diamonds?

5. Do you think Louisa's condemnation of the modern pollution of ancient myths is totally logical?

6. What about the difference between white and Native American culture does Hillerman seem to be again emphasizing. Why do you as a reader respond to this obvious stereotyping?

7. How does Joe illustrate his thoughts about events arising from a complex and often invisible series of causes and effects?

8. The fact that Sherman survives the shooting by Joanna could have several implications; name one of them.

9. What in this chapter may foreshadow a future event?

10. What besides Billy's brain injury could be a reason for his inability to give a date of his Kiva ritual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in Skeleton Man are a mixture of complex (or three dimensional) and flat (or stereotypes) Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Joanna Craig. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate her. Is this character round or flat? What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Chandler. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. Is this character round or flat? What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Craig and Chandler and write about them in relationship to both Chandler and Craig. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Bernadette Manuelito, or Bernie, for short is first introduced in this chapter and later evolves to be a major figure in the story. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Describe Bernie fully, including physical description and personality traits. Comb through the book looking for all the information you can find about her.

2. In chapter 28, when Bernie is reassuring Joanna, Bernie says that she is a policewoman; however, Bernie is no longer working as a cop. Do you think this statement foreshadows Bernie going back to work for the tribal police? What do you think this statement says about how Bernie sees herself?

3. Judging from Bernie's actions throughout the story, how good a policewoman do you think she was? Give examples to support your stance.

Essay Topic 3

One of the overlying themes in this book and indeed most of Hillerman's books is the differences between White, Western culture and that of Native Americans. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Choose two of the following areas and compare and contrast the White, Western culture with the Native American culture: religion, nature, politics/government, marriage, death, war, gender roles.

2. Using the entire novel, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives Native American culture.

3. Using the entire novel, write an essay on how you think Hillerman perceives white, Western culture.

(see the answer keys)

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