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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. "Siwash" is a derogatory term for what?

2. It was ___ degrees when Sidney returned from checking his traps in sub-freezing temperatures at the Batza River.

3. James came to what mining camp during the Alaskan Gold Rush?

4. One of the family's most important possessions was a thermometer accurate to ___ degrees.

5. Sidney brought logs down the river in a ___, imitating a man he saw do it.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when the Koyukuk River ice started to break up mid-May in 1928?

2. How did the steamboat passengers help reunite Sidney and his siblings with their dad after Anna died?

3. How did Sidney's family protect their belongings from a flood described in Chapter 11, "The Flood?"

4. How did the Collins boys come to be at the Anvik Mission?

5. According to Chapter 8, "The Batza River Trapline," what did Sidney and his dad do one year in March in anticipation of a coming depression?

6. Why did the relationship between Victor and Ned come to murder?

7. Sidney heard rifle shots when he was 12. Why were the Nulato firing these shots?

8. When did Sidney decide to build a boat according to Chapter 10, "My First Boat," and what did he do?

9. According to Chapter 8, "The Batza River Trapline," how did Sidney and Jimmy help the family prepare for winter?

10. Why did Sidney decide to catch a grizzly in Chapter 12, "Snaring a Grizzly?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sidney learns about spear hunting grizzly bears. How does he learn about this method? What is involved in this method? Also, explain how Sidney catches a grizzly using a snare and why he did it?

Essay Topic 2

In one chapter, Sidney talks about Edwin Simon and how his "three lives" embody the changes in the Athapaskan culture. Who are the Athapaskan? Who is Edwin Simon? What are these "three lives," and when do they occur? How do they embody the changes in the Athapaskan culture?

Essay Topic 3

In the first few chapters of the book Sidney describes his life in Koyukuk as a young child under the age of six. Explain the challenges Sidney faced at this time in his life, including his mother's death, getting help for his sick dad, and his habit of wandering off at a young age. Also discuss how Sidney deals with each challenge.

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