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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 does the boy do when he flings himself onto the floor of the canoe?

2. What does the sky cast upon the tiny canoe?

3. What would cause Mafatu to lose his spear or line?

4. Suddenly, what does the bird do?

5. How does Mafatu feel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Mafatu head?

2. What happens to Mafatu and his companions during the second major storm?

3. What happens that foreshadows a larger storm?

4. What has resulted because of Mafatu's fear?

5. What does Mafatu think about his father?

6. How is Mafatu treated?

7. How does Chapter 2 end?

8. What has happened when Mafatu has attempted to overcome his fear?

9. How does Mafatu feel when he sees land in the distance?

10. How does Mafatu struggle through the day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After arriving on the island, Mafatu finds a spearhead.

Part 1) Why does he take it? How is taking the spearhead a victory?

Part 2) What does the spearhead symbolize?

Part 3) To what does this victory lead? How does this one event change his life forever?

Part 4) Describe an event that had a large impact on your life.

Essay Topic 2

Mafatu chooses to leave before the others wake.

Part 1) Why does he do this? What does he wonder about his tribe?

Part 2) What do you think were the reactions of the tribe? Use the text to support your response.

Part 3) How would your family react if they woke up one morning and you were gone? Compare and contrast their reaction to what you believe might be Mafatu's tribe's reaction.

Essay Topic 3

Mafatu's story is timeless.

Part 1) Why is it timeless?

Part 2) What can various cultures around the world learn from this story?

Part 3) How is this story significant to you?

(see the answer keys)

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