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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. The elder's ____ are revered by his people.

2. What is an ulu?

3. What is a ptarmigan?

4. What tool was used to kill whales?

5. What is the name of the elder consulted by Russel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is a shaman?

3. Oogruk tells Russel about the founding of the village. Who founded the village? How did things change when the people arrived?

4. What is the basis of the story?

5. What does Russel admire about Oogruk?

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

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

8. What does Russel's father try to explain to the 14-year-old boy?

9. Who is Ulgavik? What was special about the man?

10. Where does Russel live and with whom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Russel's father tries to help Russel by preaching to him about the Christian faith. This does not help Russel. Explain the beliefs of Russel's father, why Russel does not share his father's faith and how the father reacts. Also examine how and where Russel goes looking for his own faith and belief system.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is the purpose of Russel's quest? What is the most difficult situation encountered by Russel? What is learned? Who plays the biggest part in Russel's transformation? How does Russel change during the journey?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample