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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 song did the author's pre-med students begin singing as they departed camp in "The Sound of Silverbells"?

2. What is the Anishinaabe new year, or Maple Sugar Moon called, among the author's people?

3. What is referred to as the "bellybutton" of bean pods in "The Three Sisters" (164)?

4. What is one of the names for the cattail in the Potawatomi language, meaning "we wrap the baby in it" (275)?

5. What is the scientific name of the common plantain?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it important for native peoples to ask for permission when harvesting or hunting? How do they do so?

2. What uses for cattails did the author teach her students in “Sitting in a Circle"?

3. What lessons did Nanabozho learn from the animals, according to the narrative in “In the Footsteps of Nanabozho: Becoming Indigenous to Place"?

4. What reassured the author as her field trip with her students concluded in “The Sound of Silverbells”?

5. What findings did Laurie's thesis produce in “Mishkos Kenomagwen: The Teachings of Grass”?

6. Who did Nanabozho meet when he traveled to the West?

7. Why is the concept of circular time important in Native American lore?

8. Why is it important to understand that the earth loves people, according to the author in “Epiphany in the Beans”?

9. What does the author remark about White Man's Footstep in “In the Footsteps of Nanabozho: Becoming Indigenous to Place"?

10. How is individuality treated by the author's people? Why is it important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the overarching theme of reciprocity in Braiding Sweetgrass. What does reciprocity mean in relation to the environment and its plants and animals? What does it mean in relation to people? Why is reciprocity important?

Essay Topic 2

How is motherhood treated as a theme in Braiding Sweetgrass? What symbols and metaphors relate or connect to this theme? How has motherhood influenced the author in her examination of nature and her traditional heritage?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the meaning of maple trees for the author and her people. What do maple trees represent? How do their actions influence humankind? How might we learn from maple trees?

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This section contains 997 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample