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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 do the villagers think about as they keep watch of the Aleut hunt from the cliffs?

2. What is the reason Karana believes her father is defeated by Captain Orlov.

3. Why is Karana searching the beach sand at Coral Cove?

4. What awaits Karana upon her return to the cave?

5. Why does Ramo get up in the darkness and leave Ghalas-at alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. What fills Karana with happiness the morning after she returns to the island in the leaking canoe?

2. What does Karana do after she discovers Roma's lifeless body?

3. How many men come in the Aleut ship under the command of Captain Orlov. What do they want from the people of Ghalas-at village?

4. How do the men of Ghalas-at village react when the Aleut ship sails into Coral Cove?

5. Explain the image Karana uses to describe Roma's eyes.

6. How do the people of the Ghalas-at village know when the Aleutians are planning to leave the island?

7. How do the sea elephants help Karana decide where to build her new home?

8. Describe the preparations the people of the village make in case the Aleuts return and they have to escape?

9. How does Karana describe the Aleutian ship as it nears the island?

10. Explain why the ship won't turn back toward the island so that Ramo can come on board?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Examine what it means to be a member of Chief Chowig's tribe.

2) What characteristics distinguish tribal life on Ghalas-at?

3) What problems do the villagers face? How do they show pride and courage?

4) Back up the answers with examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

1) Imagine you are an historian reading the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

2) Would you see the story as historically accurate?

3) Use details from the story to support your answer.

4) What plot or setting descriptions would you change to make it more historically accurate?

Essay Topic 3

1) Explain the belief by the tribe of Ghalas-at with regard to women hunting.

2) How does this belief affect Karana when she is stranded on the island?

3) What are her feelings toward the belief?

4) In what way is Karana justified in her reaction to the Ghalas-at belief?

(see the answer keys)

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