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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 is the only thing that makes Karana sad?

2. How do the Ghalas-at tribesmen prepare for the confrontation with Captain Orlov?

3. Why does the number of men in the Ghalas-at tribe change suddenly?

4. Why is Karana leaving the raging battle of sea elephants?

5. Why did Ramo want to go back to Ghalas-at?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Karana build a fence to protect her from the wild dogs?

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

3. Why is Karana angry with the Aleuts for hunting the sea otters?

4. Does Chief Chowig accept the black chest of beads as full payment from Captain Orlov and the Aleuts? Explain.

5. Why isn't the autumn and winter peaceful in Ghalas-at, even though there is plenty of food for everyone?

6. When Karana goes to the spring to gather more water in her baskets, she seeks refuge from the wild dogs in a cave. She plans to turn the cave into another house. What does she do to the cave to make it habitable?

7. What events take place after Chief Chowig demands the rest of the chests be brought to shore before the otter pelts are loaded onto the ship?

8. After the tribe recovers the school of white bass that are stranded on the rocky ledge, two of the Aleuts come to ask for some. What does Chief Chowig tell them?

9. Karana moves her home to a high rock ledge, but the wild dogs continue to circle below. She decides to go against the tribe's taboo about women making weapons. What does she fear will happen if she makes the weapons?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story takes place on a remote island off the southern coast of California.

1) How does this setting affect Karana's situation and experiences?

2) How does living on the island affect the final resolution?

3) What does the setting symbolize in Karana's life?

Essay Topic 2

1) Evaluate the elements of cause and effect in this story using examples from the novel.

2) Choose three events from the story which then cause Karana's life to undergo a change.

3) How does she react to the events and their effects?

Essay Topic 3

1) Discuss how Karana grows as a character from the beginning of the novel to the end.

2) How do her attitudes change toward the wild dogs?

3) How do her feelings change toward the Aleuts?

4) How do her feelings toward life on the island differ from the beginning to the end of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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