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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What detail does Grandmother add to the end of Grandfather's story about Jikula and Ahalamila?
(a) Ahalamila's mother forgave Jikula and brought peace to the Yahi.
(b) The Yahi women are responsible for ensuring that the men remain peaceful.
(c) Jikula felt remorseful and sought out forgiveness from Ahalamila's mother.
(d) The son of Ahalamila, Topuna, avenged his father's death.

2. Why does Ishi retrieve his arrow from the tree into which he had misfired?
(a) It takes a lot of work to make an arrow, and the arrowhead is treasured.
(b) He wants to keep it as a memento of his first deer.
(c) He does not want any saldu to see it and suspect that there are Yahi nearby.
(d) He is embarrassed that someone will see it and know that his first shot missed.

3. According to Grandfather, why must a bow never be left standing?
(a) It is a bad omen and will attract evil spirits.
(b) It will sweat and become weak; the bow needs rest just like the hunter.
(c) It is too easily seen by the enemy and will be attacked.
(d) It may be knocked over and broken.

4. Who is responsible for moving the village to Wounupo?
(a) Ishi and Tushi.
(b) They all carry something.
(c) Ishi and Elder Uncle.
(d) Ishi, Elder Uncle, and Tushi.

5. What do the marks on Ishi's harpoon represent?
(a) The number of kills he has made with the harpoon.
(b) The number of saldu he has seen in the area.
(c) The number of years that the Yahi have lived at Wowunupo.
(d) The number of times he has experienced his Power Dream.

6. According to their plan, where will Tushi and Elder Uncle go to hide if they need to leave the cave village?
(a) Green Cave.
(b) Back to Tuliyani.
(c) Lookout Point.
(d) Ishi's fishing shelter.

7. Why does Tushi spread black raspberries and manzanita berries onto mats?
(a) She is drying them.
(b) She is feeding the forest animals.
(c) It is an offering for the Spirits.
(d) She is inspecting them before she brings them home.

8. Why does Mother allow Tushi to go with Ishi to the beaver den?
(a) Since Ishi would not be hunting, Tushi could accompany him.
(b) Since Timawi is ill, Ishi will need someone else to help him.
(c) Tushi has begged to go, and Mother is tired of arguing with her.
(d) Tushi has shown herself to be as successful a hunter as Ishi.

9. After Ishi returns from his journey, what does he notice about Timawi?
(a) Timawi is happy to see Ishi return.
(b) Timawi treats him as more of an equal.
(c) Timawi is restless and ready to go on his own journey.
(d) Timawi is not happy and keeps to himself.

10. According to the story that Grandfather tells, where did the old woman hide the fire that she had stolen from the Fire People?
(a) In her ear.
(b) In her stomach.
(c) In her mouth.
(d) Under her shawl.

11. How soon does Elder Uncle suggest that they move to the cave?
(a) Before the fall of the first snow.
(b) After the warm weather returns in the spring.
(c) After the frogs stop singing.
(d) Before the end of the next Harvest Moons.

12. What regret about Timawi doe Tushi express to Ishi?
(a) She regrets that she did not take his sweetgrass bracelet.
(b) She regrets that Timawi was not able to return to his village.
(c) She regrets that Timawi and Ishi were not better friends.
(d) She regrets that he did not have a family to return to.

13. What prediction does Mother make about the New Year?
(a) She says that she will walk into the New Year on her own feet.
(b) She says that all of the saldu will have left by the New Year.
(c) She says that she will not make it to see the New Year.
(d) She says that it will be the most prosperous New Year they have ever seen.

14. What do Elder Uncle, Timawi, and Ishi find when they return to the beaver dam?
(a) The dead horse and rider.
(b) Empty boxes and equipment, but no horse or rider.
(c) The injured horse and a dead rider.
(d) The dead horse, but no rider.

15. Why does Timawi carry the elk antlers on his head?
(a) It is a Yahi tradition that gives thanks to the gods.
(b) Ishi had asked him to do this as a signal that the hunt had been successful.
(c) He wants to trick Ishi into thinking that an elk is approaching.
(d) The antlers are so heavy that he rests them on top of his own head.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Grandmother, when did she first meet Ishi's mother?

2. What concern does Mother express about Elder Uncle's decision to have Ishi sleep in the men's house?

3. How does Elder Uncle purify Ishi of any danger that might have followed him from the spirit world?

4. Why do Ishi and his family smile when they hear the rush and roar of the wind coming down the canyon?

5. According to the Yahi creation story, how did creation begin?

(see the answer keys)

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