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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. For whom is Chee searching?

2. Whose voice do they hear?

3. What does Joanna try to convince Chandler to do?

4. Where are the tracks?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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

5. What theme seems to come to fruition in this chapter?

6. 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?

7. How does Chandler unconsciously give away his intentions in the scene where he and Joanna discover the snuff cans?

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 does Hillerman use Bernie for and why?

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

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 3, Joanna Craig is introduced and a little about her is narrated. It becomes apparent that one of the driving motivations for her actions in the story is revenge. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define revenge? How often do you think people are motivated by the desire for revenge? What do you think is the effect of holding such a desire for a long time without fulfillment?

2. Explain why Joanna wants revenge and on whom. Do you think she is justified in seeking revenge? Is the taking of revenge ever justified?

3. How does Joanna plan to take her revenge on Plymale? Does it seem like a reasonable plan? What could go wrong? Do you think Joanna will be happier if she gets her revenge?

Essay Topic 3

As the novel opens and then moves along to its conclusion, some characters seem to be more different from each other than first appears and some seem more alike to each other than first appears. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare the character of Chandler from who he seems to be during the first half of the book to the person he seems to be in last half. How is he alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why?

2. Compare the character of Joanna Craig from who she seems to be during the first half of the book to the person she seems to be in the last half. How is she alike? How different? Which "person" do you like the best? Why?

3. Compare and contrast Bernie, Chee, and Joe from who they seem to be when they are first introduced to who they are revealed to be by the end of the story. How much do they either change or become who they really are? Who did you like at first and then dislike by the end of the story--and vice versa? Which of the three characters seems to change more? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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