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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the clan members see on the way to the Clan Gathering?

2. What happens to help reconcile Ayla and Creb?

3. What is Iza's final wish to the spirits before she dies?

4. Who dies while the clan is gone?

5. Who warns Ayla that she will die if she forces the clan to accept her child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ayla struggles with an internal conflict over using the sling.

Part 1) How does she justify using it the first time? How does she justify using it later? Identify the conflicting values behind her decision whether or not to pursue using the sling.

Part 2) Explain Ayla's realization that she cannot use the sling in a productive way. What does the porcupine symbolize? Why does she want to keep trying?

Part 3) How does the skill Ayla develops with the sling influence her relationships, especially with the men of the clan? Why does she have such a hard time feigning submission to male superiority?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining how evolution plays a part in the novel. How is Ayla more evolved than the clan? What are the effects of her being more evolved? How do these effects influence the events in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

What role do the totem spirits play in the lives of the clan? How do their beliefs regarding the spirits affect their acceptance of Ayla? How does Ayla challenge their beliefs? Write an essay about three specific points in the story where the totem spirits play a role.

(see the answer keys)

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