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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who in the clan was also born deformed and allowed to live?

2. Why are the clan members surprised at Ayla's pregnancy?

3. What does Iza tell Ayla before she dies?

4. Why is Ayla secretly grateful to Broud?

5. What ceremony does Creb want to include with Durc's totem ceremony?

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

One of the differences between Ayla and the clan is her ability to conceive new innovations.

Part 1) What are some of the innovations that Ayla thinks of during the novel?

Part 2) What are the implications of these innovations? Do they influence the plot? How?

Part 3) How do Ayla's new ideas help her to survive? How do they threaten her survival in the strict structure and culture of the clan?

Essay Topic 3

Deformity is a recurrent motif in the novel.

Part 1) Explain the clan's tradition regarding deformity. Does this tradition serve a practical purpose? If so, what it is?

Part 2) What is the difference between the deformity in the stillborn baby Uba delivers and Durc?

Part 3) Is the clan able to distinguish a difference between the two? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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