View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Ishi alarmed by the ditch that the saldu are digging?

2. According to the story that Grandfather tells, where did the old woman hide the fire that she had stolen from the Fire People?

3. Why does Ishi wander away when he is supposed to be watching over Tushi?

4. Why do the Yahi no longer spend the summer on the mountain?

5. What does the saldu intend to do with Tushi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Ishi and Tushi plan a Harvest Feast?

2. Why does Ishi get the privilege of shooting the first deer of the season?

3. According to Elder Uncle, why should the Yahi people not mourn for Timawi?

4. How is Ishi's bow important for his development into manhood?

5. How is Ishi's relationship with Timawi similar to his relationship with Tushi?

6. What does Grandfather say to Elder Uncle in order to reassure him after Timawi and Ishi leave?

7. How has the relationship between Ishi and Tushi changed since they first came to Wowunupo?

8. What does Tushi's dream seem to foretell, and how does Ishi respond to her dream?

9. According to Timawi, how were the seven remaining members of the Yahi tribe able to survive?

10. How is the Yahi creation story similar to the Judeo-Christian creation story (the creation story of the white man)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Ishi tells Majapa that the Yahi world is dead, Majapa replies, "I think it is not dead. You remember it, and I remember it." Remembering is an important theme in the novel, the memory of experiences, of places, and most importantly of people. Explain how "remembering" teaches and consoles the characters in the novel. Be sure to use specific examples as support.

Essay Topic 2

The novel chronicles most of Ishi's life, and in a way, the reader gets to see him grow up. Trace Ishi's development from boy, man, to "Elder Brother." Explain how different experiences help him grow into a man and mentor. Be sure to provide specific examples and quotations to support your observations.

Essay Topic 3

The novel is broken into four sections, each describing a different part of Ishi's life. Analyze each of the titles given to the sections and explain the significance of those titles. Be sure to provide evidence from each section in order to support your points.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,088 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample