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. Which part of society do The People feed first?

2. What is the first reason why the women determine to leave the fall camp?

3. What does Sa' cook for their first meal in the old campsite?

4. Why does Sa' say they are both like babies?

5. What forces Chi'idzigyaak to get up in the morning when she wants to stay asleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has hardship taught the two women and failed to teach the two women about each other?

2. Why do the two old women decide that they cannot remain in the camp where they have been abandoned?

3. How do the two old women make sleds to pull their possessions?

4. What good deed have The People done for the two women as they leave them behind?

5. Where do the two old women decide to go when they feel they cannot remain in the camp where they have been abandoned?

6. How does the group react to the chief's announcement that the two old women would be left behind?

7. How do the two old women react to the chief's announcement that they will be left behind?

8. How does Sa' kill a squirrel?

9. Why does Sa' smile when Chi'idzigyaak notices that they have arrived at the creek, but are on the wrong side?

10. Why do the two women boil the squirrel meat and drink the broth rather than eating the meat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The style of this book has been described as "simple," "humble," "lean," and "muscular." In your essay, find instances from the story to support these descriptions and explain why this style is or is not appropriate to the setting of the tale itself.

Essay Topic 2

The affection and tolerance with which The People treated the two old women weakened them and ultimately worked to their detriment, while the betrayal and abandonment made them strong and self-sufficient. In your essay, discuss how it is that actions that had kind intentions caused harm to the recipients.

Essay Topic 3

At the beginning of the story, the old women thought themselves incapable of change. Their constant complaining had led them and those around them to believe that they were useless. Did the women bring about their own abandonment by the attitude they displayed over the years? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 958 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample