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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 major topic of discussion about leaving Ghalas-at?

2. What is the reason for a fence at the new house?

3. Who vainly packs earrings and blue clay into the luggage?

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

5. What is a reason Karana delays her shot at the sea elephant?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is aboard the ship that arrives at Ghalas-at island? What do they want with the villagers?

2. What is the emotional state of the villagers after losing so many men in the battle with the Aleuts?

3. How does Karana get sea elephant teeth for her spear points?

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

5. 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?

6. Ramo decides to go to where the canoes are hidden and bring one back to Coral Cove, so he and Karana can fish and look around the island. What happens when he goes on this mission?

7. Karana leaves the island in one of the hidden canoes. She is forced to turn back to the island after the canoe starts to leak badly. On the way back, she has two good fortunes. Describe what these good fortunes are.

8. After Karana finishes building her home, she decides it is time to kill the wild dogs on the island. What does she need to do the job?

9. Why didn't Karana want to return to the Island of the Blue Dolphins after her canoe starts to leak?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) What is the message O'Dell is trying to convey in the novel?

2) Does he depict a realistic and relevant view of human nature through Karana's character?

3) Are the human qualities of the character too sentimental, cynical, or unwilling to change? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

1) Analyze the structure of the novel. What is the central conflict?

2) Summarize the plot's climax and resolution.

3) Are the characterizations in the story realistic?

Essay Topic 3

1) Summarize the survival skills Karana develops.

2) Include her methods of constructing and building her shelters.

3) How does she find and prepare food?

4) How does she tame animals?

5) What are her fishing methods?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample