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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. When does Mary become cooperative with Bernie?

2. What is Chandler's reply?

3. After the flooding stops, what does Chee do?

4. What does Bernie order Joanna to do?

5. What is important enough about the case to attract the FBI?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. How does Hillerman emphasize his attitude towards the "white man"?

5. How does Chee view the Colorado river?

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

7. Why do you think Hillerman has Tuve disappear?

8. Why do you think Cowboy Dashee is part of this story since it seems he did not contribute much in previous chapters and he is now out of the story because of his ankle?

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

10. What so you think is the significance in the different responses to the shaman's body between that of Chandler and Joanna?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In Chapter 12, Louisa says she heard many new myths mixed with the old ones, about bodies and things falling out of the sky from the plane collision. She notes that such modern "contamination" of ancient myths is the bane of anthropologists everywhere. 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 are some of the Hopi and Navajo myths and how do they attempt to explain situations in the lives of the Native Americans?

2. Does the white American culture have its own myths? What's the difference between a myth and an urban legend? Why are there not perhaps as many myths in white culture as in the Native American culture? Do you think cultures who are not Christian see the story of Jesus as a myth?

3. Does your family have any of its own myths? Sometimes an anecdote that is old enough takes on the proportions of a myth. Are there any such anecdotes in your family history that has done so? What about in your community? Are myths necessary in this modern world?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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