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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 Mafatu wonder about his father, Tavana Nui?

2. How does Mafatu feel about his inability to conquer his fears?

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

4. What does Mafatu's mother finally decide to do?

5. Why does Mafatu decide to do this?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what are the boys preparing?

2. How does Chapter 2 end?

3. What happens that foreshadows a larger storm?

4. What does Mafatu think about his father?

5. What happens during the first major storm?

6. How is Mafatu treated?

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

8. How does Mafatu and his mother end up in danger?

9. What role does Kivi play in Mafatu's plans?

10. What improves his mood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Seeing land is symbolic.

Part 1) When does he first see land on his journey? What does this symbolize?

Part 2) When looking at a neighboring island, what does he see? What does this foreshadow?

Part 3) Name two other times in history when seeing land has been significant. Explain the significance.

Essay Topic 2

Mafatu is very self-sufficient.

Part 1) How is he self-sufficient? What can one learn about Mafatu's culture through his self-sufficiency?

Part 2) How does this new independence and knowledge both help and hurt him?

Part 3) Do you believe that people in our modern culture are self-sufficient? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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