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. Whom does Omakayas listen to while he/she talks in his/her sleep?

2. What does Mama do with the food when it is dried?

3. What does the family have for supper when Old Tallow returns?

4. What does Andeg bring to Omakayas?

5. What has Angeline learned in the missionary school which she teaches the family?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ten Snow help Omakayas get started in beadwork and what does Omakayas make?

2. What is in Nokomis' bundle that she says speaks to her?

3. Which two characters die as a result of the smallpox outbreak?

4. What skill does Ten Snow have and what item does she make for her husband Fishtail?

5. What preparations do Mama and Nokomis make for the family's food to get them through the winter?

6. What is the event that saved the family's bodies and the one that saved their souls according to Omakayas?

7. How does the author explore the themes of the relationship between humans and nature and Omakayas' journey of transformation?

8. What happens to Omakayas after the smallpox deaths, and who is the one who is able to help her?

9. How are things looking up for the family as winter ends?

10. What is Nokomis' advice to Omakayas regarding the bears?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spirituality takes on an almost human persona in this book. What role does spirituality play in the lives of the characters? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Mama. What did she look like? What were her positive personality traits? What were her dreams and fears? What was most valuable to her in her world?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,132 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample