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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Elder Uncle purify Ishi of any danger that might have followed him from the spirit world?
(a) He tells him to go to Black Rock and talk to Timawi's spirit.
(b) He burns sage and prays over him.
(c) He blows sacred tobacco over him and says prayers.
(d) He orders him to take a sweat bath.

2. What does Tushi suggest the gray pine actually is?
(a) The Sky Pole.
(b) The Guardian of Wowunupo.
(c) Grandfather's spirit tree.
(d) The beginning of the Trail to the Land of the Dead.

3. How much time has passed since the Yahi have moved to Wowunupo?
(a) Over twelve years.
(b) Twenty-five years.
(c) Almost five years.
(d) Over twenty years.

4. What is covering the mouth of the cave when they arrive?
(a) Poison oak.
(b) Honeysuckle vines.
(c) Large planks of wood.
(d) A large rock.

5. What does Ishi decide to seek when he leaves Tuliyani?
(a) Revenge for the death of his father.
(b) The old villages and caves from Grandfather's stories.
(c) A prayer-place so that he might dream a Power Dream.
(d) Guidance from the gods to help him find a wife.

6. How does Ishi know that the saldu have made it to the ledge of their village?
(a) He can see them from the top of the pine tree.
(b) He has had a dream that warned him of this.
(c) He can smell them approaching.
(d) He hears their knives cutting through the brush.

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

8. How tall is Black Rock?
(a) Three times the height of a man.
(b) As tall as four large pines trees.
(c) Three times the height of Ishi's house.
(d) As tall as a grizzly bear standing on two legs.

9. Where do Ishi and Elder Uncle go to hunt?
(a) To Badger Creek.
(b) Three Knolls.
(c) Back to Tuliyani.
(d) Mount Waganupo.

10. From Tuliyani, which direction is the Trail to the Land of the Dead?
(a) To the south.
(b) To the east.
(c) To the west.
(d) To the north.

11. Why do Ishi and his family smile when they hear the rush and roar of the wind coming down the canyon?
(a) They know that the winds will destroy the saldu settlement.
(b) They know that the winds will drive the animals down into the canyon.
(c) They know that they winds are the spirits of Yahi ancestors.
(d) They know that the winds mean that spring has arrived.

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

13. What does Tushi ask Grandmother to do in order to make the time pass while Ishi and Timawi are gone?
(a) To cook and dance with her in the evenings.
(b) To tell her tales of when Grandmother was young.
(c) To help her weave a treasure basket.
(d) To play the stick game with her.

14. 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) Jikula felt remorseful and sought out forgiveness from Ahalamila's mother.
(c) The son of Ahalamila, Topuna, avenged his father's death.
(d) The Yahi women are responsible for ensuring that the men remain peaceful.

15. Why are Ishi and Tushi convinced that the saldu will discover them if they try to move now?
(a) They are so upset that they would not be able to think clearly.
(b) There are just too many saldu that they would not be able to avoid them.
(c) Mother is not able to walk, so they would not be able to move quickly or quietly.
(d) The ground is covered with snow, so their tracks would be visible.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ishi release the rabbit that he catches while he is out collecting lichen?

2. How do Ishi and Timawi lose the sheep that they steal?

3. What does Mother think the kind saldu wanted to do?

4. According to the Yahi creation story, from what were the first humans created?

5. Who is responsible for moving the village to Wounupo?

(see the answer keys)

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