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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 item did Russel own and used in place of dogs?

2. For Russel, _____ and the dream time come together.

3. Russel does not understand why his father loves ____.

4. Russel offers to give his ___ to the old man but Oogruk refuses.

5. The elder is the only one in the village who owns ____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Oogruk tells Russel about missing his wife, who ran off. What does Oogruk say? What is Russel's reaction?

2. Russel's father recommends taking a gift to Oogruk. What is the gift? What is Russel's opinion of the gift?

3. What problem does Russel experience?

4. What happens when Russel wakes up from his nap? What does he do next?

5. What is Russel's impression of Oogruk's house?

6. Russel begins to learn about songs. How does Oogruk explain finding one's own song?

7. What advice does Russel's father give about Oogruk?

8. What is the basis of the story?

9. What is the warning Russel receives from his father about cooking meat?

10. Who are the Outsiders? Why are they different from the Eskimos?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The confrontations with the bear and the woolly mammoth were scary and exciting. Why did Paulsen put Russel in these situations? Examine the encounter from the bear and mammoth's points of view. Discuss how a human might provoke an animal in the wild. Examine humans as threats to animals and their young.

Essay Topic 2

Songs play a large part in the story. Explain the significance of finding one's own song. Why does Russel think he won't be able to find a song that fits only him? How does Russel's song develop? What does Russel's song mean?

Essay Topic 3

Flashback is used in several places throughout the story. Give at least three examples of flashback. Explain each in depth including the purpose and information gained from the use of the technique.

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