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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 he notice as he begins ripping leaves from a banana tree?

2. Who used to slide down a lava slide in banana leaves?

3. He has faced a fear and come out unharmed. What is this?

4. What leads toward the sea and to a large clearing?

5. What does he need to make a fishhook?

Short Essay Questions

1. What will happen if he could kill the pig?

2. What are the first steps in making a canoe in Mafatu's culture?

3. What does the spearhead symbolize?

4. What has Mafatu done by saving his dog?

5. What does Mafatu find in the clearing?

6. What does Mafatu do when he sees the whale?

7. Why does Mafatu become frightened?

8. How does Mafatu push away thoughts of home and his father?

9. What does Mafatu resolve to do each day?

10. What happens when Mafatu and Uri are on the raft?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mafatu prays to the Goddess of the Fishermen.

Part 1) Who is this goddess? Why does he pray to this goddess?

Part 2) Does the goddess help him? Why or why not?

Part 3) Compare and contrast Mafatu behavior in times of trouble and need to your behavior.

Essay Topic 2

Mafatu collapses at the end of the book.

Part 1) What might have happened?

Part 2) What is significant about this?

Part 3) How might various interpretations of this ending affect readers?

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)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample