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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. Russel is surprised when the old man says he will go with Russel to do what?

2. What is a ptarmigan?

3. What is an ulu?

4. What does the elder warm in the pan?

5. Russel wore pants made from the skin of which animal?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Russel admire about Oogruk?

3. What is the basis of the story?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Discuss Russel's trance. What does he see?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine oral tradition as it is used in the story. Why is it important? Does Russel understand Oogruk's stories and their importance? Why aren't the stories and songs written? Do you think that the stories would have the same impact if they were written? Explain. Also give examples.

Essay Topic 2

What lessons will Russel be able to teach to the younger people in the new village? Can Russel's lessons be taught or must they be learned individually? Does each lesson have to be learned through experience? What lesson do you think would be most valuable? What lessons have you learned from the story?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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