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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 distinct advantage did the cave offer?

2. What animal did Jondalar see that he thought there would be no point to hunting?

3. What did the hyena manage to make off with?

4. What did the first stones from Ayla's sling show the hyenas?

5. What festival was held when the moon was new in the Clan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ayla react to the valley?

2. Why didn't Ayla get mad when Whinney ran and dumped all her things?

3. What stroke of innovation allowed Ayla to bring down a horse on her own?

4. In what ways did Whinney help Ayla accomplish the reindeer hunt?

5. What events led to Ayla making fire with flint and iron pyrite?

6. Why did Thonolan want to give up?

7. Why did Jondalar panic in regard to the blood-soaked tunic?

8. What advantages did Ayla have that other clan women did not?

9. What is the Malaise?

10. What is the difference between Thonolan and Jondalar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Ayla's relationship with Whinney. How did this relationship likely bring her through some tough times? Is Ayla's emotional attachment understandable, considering her situation? How is Ayla's relationship with Whinney different from present day relationships with horses?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Ayla's relationship with Baby. How does it differ from her relationship to the horse? What was important about this relationship, and how did it serve Ayla later? What role does Baby play in the plot development?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jondalar's inability to love. What was likely responsible for this? Do you believe in the concept of one true love for each person? Why or why not? What is the author's position on true love? How can the reader tell?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 910 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample