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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 do Chandler and Joanna think happened to the Shaman?

2. Who else does Chandler see observing him?

3. What does Chandler do when Joanna passes his hiding place?

4. What is an accurate word to describe Chandler?

5. Who does Joanna spot on the canyon floor by the river?

Short Essay Questions

1. What could be a more sinister reason for Chandler giving Joanne back the arm bone of her father?

2. How is Bernie's assurance about Chandler highly ironic in the scheme of the history of Native Americans?

3. Why do you think Hillerman has Tuve disappear?

4. Why do you think Joanna avoids the violent death that may be awaiting Chandler at the hand of the water?

5. What seems incongruous about Bernie avoiding looking at the shaman?

6. Do you think the scene of Bernie finding the diamonds and arm is anti-climatic and why?

7. In Chapter 16, the reader learns more about the Hopi legend of the Skeleton Man, for which the book is named; what is this legend?

8. How does Chee view the Colorado river?

9. When the old Hopi woman warns Bernie that she shouldn't be there, the woman then warms up to her; why do you think this is?

10. What does Chee find that probably points to future events?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 10, Sherman and Chandler discuss the details of the assignment from Plymale and decide that at the very least, Billy Tuve will have to be murdered, but it will have to be made to look like an accident because of the Arizona death penalty laws. 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. What is the death penalty as it exists in the United States? Do all states have the same laws? What are the death penalty laws at the present in Arizona and New Mexico? Is the death penalty administered fairly without regard to race, sex, religion, etc.?

2. Is the death penalty a true deterrent to murder? Why or why not? Is the murder rate per capita lower in the states that have and use the death penalty regularly? Would you be willing to inject, shoot, or electrocute someone yourself if they have received the death penalty?

3. How many people who have been executed under the laws of the death penalty have later been proven to be innocent? Does this change your opinion of the death penalty? What are some alternatives to the death penalty?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of morality is an integral part of understanding both the characters and the plot. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define morality as it is used in this novel?

2. Do all the characters have the same definition of morality? How do the characters differ in the way they perceive morality and in how they perceive themselves as moral people?

3. How important is it to Joanna, Chandler, Bernie, and Plymale that they are perceived as moral people? Give examples to illustrate each person's belief. How important is it to each of those characters that they are actually moral people? Is there a discrepancy? Why do you think this is? Do you think these four characters are moral? Why or why not? Be specific.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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