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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 has killed all the baby phoebes?

2. What condition does Lusa have to treat in her herd?

3. What does Deanna feel is a human mistake?

4. As a child, what did Lusa raise in shoeboxes?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Nannie and Garnett call each other, at the end of Chapter 28?

2. Even though Nannie drives Garnett crazy, why does he feel it is his responsibility to give her the shingles in his garage?

3. What reasons does Lusa give Jewel for wanting to adopt her children?

4. In Chapter 24, what reason does Lusa give Jewel for using every bit of produce from her garden?

5. In Chapter 30, Lusa starts to think of Cole in a different manner. What is this?

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

7. In Chapter 18, Lusa spends quality time with Crys. What are some things that she finds out about her?

8. Why is the first cold day a day that Deanna will never forget?

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

10. Nannie is upset because the church fumigated for bees and now honey is oozing out of the walls. What does she think they should have done instead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Prodigal Summer", Nannie attempts to explain the "Volterra Principle" to Garnett. Explain, in depth, what this is. What does it have to do with pesticide use? Why, according to Nannie, is it being kept quiet and by whom?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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