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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. Why does Mafatu build up a large fire?

2. What does he notice as he begins ripping leaves from a banana tree?

3. What does he need to make a fishhook?

4. What does Mafatu spot as he and Uri head toward the reef on the raft?

5. How does he feel now that his knife is finished?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mafatu realize there are humans nearby?

2. What does Mafatu spot at the sacred platform? Why does he need it?

3. What does Mafatu make for dinner?

4. How does Mafatu go about making a raft? Why is the raft important?

5. What has Mafatu done by saving his dog?

6. What does Mafatu remember and believe when he wakes up the next morning?

7. How does Mafatu prepare the pig?

8. Why does Mafatu become frightened?

9. Why does Mafatu go after his knife?

10. Why does Mafatu decide not to go to his lookout?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mafatu is the main character.

Part 1) Why was he called "The Boy Who Was Afraid?" Who called him this? How does he change throughout the story?

Part 2) What changes him?

Part 3) How are you known to others? How does this affect your behavior?

Part 4) Would you like to change how others think of you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Mafatu wants to make a boar's tooth necklace.

Part 1) Why?

Part 2) What makes him decide to do this?

Part 3) What is the reaction of his tribe when they see it? Why do they react this way?

Part 4) What in our culture would cause others to react in a similar way as Mafatu's tribe? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Mafatu spends much of his life in isolation.

Part 1) How has he been isolated up to the point his journey begins?

Part 2) How does this journey amplify his isolation?

Part 3) Will he be in isolation after his journey? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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