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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 leads Joanna down the most dangerous part of the trail and leaves her some water?

2. What do Chandler and Joanna decide?

3. Why doesn't Cowboy need any more water?

4. Why does Bernie know how to use the pistol?

5. What does the old shaman who lives on the side of the canyon claim?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think is the purpose in Chapter 15 of the narrator reiterating many facts already known to the reader?

2. What reveals Bernie's training as a tribal police woman?

3. What might be the implications of Bernie and Chee's relationship from the way they are interacting at the end of Chapter 28?

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

5. Why do you think Chandler gives Joanne back the arm bone of her father?

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

7. What does Hillerman use Bernie for and why?

8. 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?

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

10. After Joanna passes Chandler's hiding place, he calmly confronts her--why do you think she is so careless after having spotted Chandler on the canyon floor earlier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, Chandler brings up the idea of "birthright." Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research the term "birthright," and define it and give examples. How has the concept of "birthright" changed over the centuries?

2. Do you agree with Chandler that he should have all his material wants fulfilled because of having been born in a wealthy family? Should anyone born into a wealthy family be supplied with everything s/he wants? Why or why not?

3. What are other things one gets by "birthright"? What have you received by birthright? Are you happy with all of it? (Think of the term birthright in very broad ways). Can you change any circumstances that are yours by birthright? How would you do so?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Getting the most out of this novel requires some familiarity with the Hopi and Navajo cultures. 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. Who are the Hopi? What are some of their beliefs? How do the Hopi live in today's world?

2. Who are the Navajo? What are some of their beliefs? How do the Navajo live in today's world?

3. How do the Navajo and Hopi cultures inform the plot and actions of this novel? Give examples.

4. Compare and contrast the cultures of the Navajo and Hopi.

(see the answer keys)

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